Best Dog Dental Chews in Canada 2026: Crumps Naturals vs Greenies vs Whimzees for Small, Medium and Large Breeds

Choosing the right dental chew for your dog isn't as simple as grabbing whatever's on the shelf. Size, chew time, ingredient quality, and your dog's specific bite strength all determine whether a dental chew actually cleans teeth — or just gets swallowed in 30 seconds flat. As of 2026, three brands consistently rise to the top of the conversation at our North York store: Crumps' Naturals, Greenies, and Whimzees. This guide breaks them down breed size by breed size so you can make a confident, informed choice. You can also shop our full range of dog dental treats online or in store.

Periodontal disease affects an estimated 80% of dogs over age three, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Daily chewing on a size-appropriate dental treat is one of the most practical preventive measures a dog owner can take between professional cleanings. The key word is size-appropriate — a chew that's too small is a choking hazard; one that's too large won't flex enough to reach the gum line on a small breed's crowded teeth.

Key Takeaway: The best dog dental chew for your dog in Canada in 2026 depends on breed size, chew intensity, and ingredient preferences. Crumps' Naturals excels for Canadian-made quality and natural ingredients, Greenies leads on clinical recognition and size variety, and Whimzees wins for allergy-friendly, plant-based formulas. All three brands are available at Ashario Pets in North York.

Why Dental Chews Matter: The Science Behind Chewing and Oral Health

Dental chews reduce plaque and tartar through a combination of mechanical abrasion and, in some formulas, active ingredients like chlorophyll or sodium hexametaphosphate. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets labelling standards for pet treats, but the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) provides an additional, independent certification specifically for products that demonstrably reduce plaque or tartar by at least 10% in controlled trials.

Chew time matters enormously. Studies suggest dogs need a minimum of 30 seconds of active chewing per session for meaningful mechanical cleaning. Soft chews that dissolve in under 10 seconds add calories without cleaning benefit. A properly sized dental chew for a 20 lb dog should take approximately 3–8 minutes to finish. Larger breeds with stronger jaw pressure need denser textures to maintain that chew time.

Our nutrition experts at the North York store also remind customers that dental chews are a supplement to — not a replacement for — regular tooth brushing. For dogs who resist brushing, a daily dental chew combined with water additives or dental gel can still meaningfully slow tartar buildup. Always consult your veterinarian if your dog already shows signs of dental disease before starting any chew program.

Crumps' Naturals Dental Chews: The Canadian-Made Contender

Crumps' Naturals is a proudly Canadian brand that makes dental sticks using a short, recognizable ingredient list — typically featuring ingredients like sweet potato, tapioca, and natural flavours, with no artificial preservatives, colours, or flavours. For Canadian dog owners who prioritize made-in-Canada pet products, Crumps' Naturals is a frequent first recommendation from our team.

Their dental sticks are available in multiple size formats, generally ranging from mini sticks (~7g each) for toy and small breeds up to large sticks (~14–18g) for bigger dogs. The texture is firm enough to promote meaningful chewing in small and medium dogs, and the mild flavour profile works well for dogs with sensitive stomachs or limited ingredient preferences. Calorie-conscious owners appreciate that mini sticks typically run around 25–30 kcal per piece, which is low enough to use daily without disrupting a balanced diet.

For small breeds like Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, and Toy Poodles — dogs that notoriously suffer from overcrowded teeth and accelerated plaque buildup — Crumps' Naturals mini dental sticks are one of the most popular options we stock. The pliable texture bends against small teeth rather than snapping off in large chunks, which reduces the risk of tooth fracture in dogs with petite jaws.

Greenies Dental Chews: The Clinically Recognized Standard

Greenies are arguably the most widely recognized dental chew brand in North America, and for good reason. Their dog dental chews carry the VOHC Seal of Acceptance for both plaque and tartar reduction, placing them among a relatively small group of dog treats with third-party-verified oral health efficacy. Greenies are made with a highly soluble formula designed to be digestible — an important safety consideration for dogs who tend to swallow large chunks.

Greenies are available in an exceptionally wide size range:

• Teenie (5–15 lbs) — approximately 45 kcal each, designed for toy breeds
• Petite (15–25 lbs) — approximately 70 kcal each, suited to small/medium breeds
• Regular (25–50 lbs) — approximately 90 kcal each, the most popular size at our store
• Large (50–100 lbs) — approximately 140 kcal each, designed for big dogs with stronger bite force
• Jumbo (over 100 lbs) — approximately 190 kcal each, for giant breeds like Great Danes

Pet owners tell us that the "Regular" size is by far the top seller at our Finch Ave location — it covers a wide swath of popular medium-breed dogs including Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Bulldogs, and Basset Hounds. The wheat-based texture gives enough resistance for a 3–5 minute chew, and the distinctive T-brush shape is engineered to reach back molars as the dog chews down the stem.

It's worth noting that Greenies do contain wheat gluten. For dogs with grain sensitivities or confirmed wheat allergies, Greenies may not be suitable, and Whimzees or Crumps' Naturals would be the better recommendation. Always check the guaranteed analysis on the packaging — Greenies' protein content sits around 27% (dry matter basis) with a fat content of approximately 6.5%.

Whimzees Dental Chews: The Plant-Based, Allergy-Friendly Option

Whimzees stands apart from both Crumps' Naturals and Greenies with a strikingly simple, plant-based formula: the core ingredient list includes potato starch, glycerin, powdered cellulose, and lecithin — and nothing else. No meat, no grain, no artificial additives. This makes Whimzees one of the only dental chews genuinely suited to dogs on strict limited ingredient diets or those with multiple food sensitivities.

The texture of Whimzees is uniquely spongy and abrasive at the same time. Their signature shapes — hedgehogs, alligators, toothbrushes, and veggie strips — are engineered to flex against the tooth surface without snapping, which maximizes contact time against the gum line. Independent tests have found chew durations of 5–10 minutes for medium-breed dogs, which is among the longest in the category.

Whimzees are available in sizes scaled to dogs from 5 lbs up to 60+ lbs. For large breeds specifically, the XL Veggie Strip and XL Hedgehog formats are popular with our customers who have dogs like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds. These larger formats typically weigh around 35–40g and deliver approximately 105–120 kcal — important to factor into daily caloric totals.

In our store we see customers with dogs on novel-protein raw diets frequently gravitating toward Whimzees as their dental chew of choice precisely because it introduces zero animal protein from the chew itself, keeping their dog's dietary protein sources strictly controlled. Browse our dog health and wellness collection for more allergy-friendly product options.

Crumps' Naturals vs Greenies vs Whimzees: Side-by-Side Comparison by Size

Here's how the three brands compare across the criteria that matter most to dog owners shopping for dental chews in Canada in 2026:

• Best for small breeds (under 20 lbs):
  • Crumps' Naturals Mini Dental Sticks — flexible texture, ~25 kcal, Canadian-made, low risk of fracture on small teeth
  • Greenies Teenie — VOHC-accepted, ~45 kcal, highly digestible, widely available in size-specific packs
  • Whimzees XS/S Hedgehog — plant-based, grain-free, ~35 kcal, ideal for dogs with food sensitivities
• Best for medium breeds (20–55 lbs):
  • Crumps' Naturals Large Dental Sticks — natural ingredients, good chew time, made in Canada
  • Greenies Regular — VOHC-accepted for plaque and tartar, ~90 kcal, T-brush shape targets back molars
  • Whimzees M/L Alligator or Toothbrush — longest chew time in the category, 5–10 minutes, spongy-abrasive texture
• Best for large breeds (55 lbs+):
  • Crumps' Naturals — check packaging for large-breed formats; best suited to medium-large dogs up to ~65 lbs
  • Greenies Large / Jumbo — purpose-engineered for high bite-force dogs, ~140–190 kcal, dense stem resists quick destruction
  • Whimzees XL Veggie Strip or XL Hedgehog — ~35–40g, ~105–120 kcal, plant-based and excellent for dogs with grain or meat-protein intolerances

Key Takeaway: For VOHC-certified efficacy and maximum size range, choose Greenies. For grain-free and plant-based, choose Whimzees. For Canadian-made natural ingredients with a clean label, choose Crumps' Naturals. All three are available at Ashario Pets in North York — explore our dog dental treats collection to shop by brand.

Dental Chew Safety: What Every Dog Owner Should Know

Dental chew safety is non-negotiable. The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine advises pet owners to always supervise dogs with chews, choose size-appropriate products, and avoid hard chews that don't bend — a simple pressure test is to press your thumbnail into the chew: if it doesn't indent, it's too hard and risks cracking teeth. More guidance is available through the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Caloric contribution also matters. All three brands discussed here contribute real kcal to your dog's daily intake. For a 30 lb dog on a 750 kcal/day diet, a single Greenies Regular chew at ~90 kcal represents 12% of daily calories. Factor in treats and chews when calculating daily food portions to avoid unintentional weight gain. If your dog is on a calorie-restricted diet, Crumps' Naturals Mini Sticks at ~25 kcal each offer the lowest per-chew caloric impact of the three brands. Always consult your veterinarian before adding regular dental chews to a dog's diet if they have health conditions, obesity, or existing dental disease.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dog Dental Chews by Breed Size in Canada

What is the best dog dental chew for small breeds in Canada in 2026?

For small breeds under 20 lbs, the top three options in Canada in 2026 are Crumps' Naturals Mini Dental Sticks (~25 kcal, flexible Canadian-made texture), Greenies Teenie (VOHC-accepted, ~45 kcal, highly digestible), and Whimzees XS/S (plant-based, grain-free, ~35 kcal). Small breeds are prone to overcrowded teeth and accelerated tartar buildup, so a daily size-appropriate chew is especially important. All three are available at Ashario Pets in North York at 1111A Finch Ave W.

Are Greenies safe for large breed dogs?

Yes — Greenies produce both a Large (50–100 lbs, ~140 kcal) and a Jumbo (100+ lbs, ~190 kcal) format specifically engineered for high bite-force dogs. Their highly soluble formula is designed to break down safely if swallowed, which is a key safety advantage for large dogs who chew aggressively. Always supervise your dog and select the correct size per the packaging. If your large-breed dog has a grain sensitivity, consider Whimzees XL as an alternative, since Greenies contain wheat gluten.

What makes Whimzees different from other dental chews for dogs?

Whimzees are the only major dental chew brand in Canada with a fully plant-based, grain-free formula containing no meat protein, no artificial additives, and no gluten. This makes them uniquely suitable for dogs on limited ingredient diets or those with confirmed food intolerances. Their spongy-abrasive texture also tends to produce longer chew times — 5–10 minutes for medium breeds — compared to harder or softer competitors. Whimzees are available in sizes from XS (5 lbs) through XL (60+ lbs) and can be shopped alongside other dog dental treats at Ashario Pets.

How many dental chews should I give my dog per week?

Most dental chew manufacturers, including Greenies and Whimzees, recommend one chew per day for optimal oral health benefit. However, daily use must account for the caloric contribution — a 90 kcal chew given daily to a small dog on a 400 kcal/day diet is a significant proportion of their total intake. As a practical minimum, three to four chews per week still provides meaningful mechanical plaque reduction. Discuss the right frequency with your veterinarian, especially if your dog is managing weight or has any metabolic conditions.

Does Ashario Pets carry Crumps' Naturals, Greenies, and Whimzees in North York?

Yes. As of 2026, Ashario Pets at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON M3J 2P7 carries all three brands across multiple size formats. The store is open 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily, 365 days a year, including all holidays. You can reach the store at +1-647-564-4433 or contact us online. Same-day GTA delivery is available through Uber Eats, DoorDash, SkipTheDishes, Instacart, and Fantuan. See our store FAQ for more details on product availability and delivery options.