Greenies vs Dentastix: which dental chew should you buy?
Greenies, because it has the VOHC seal for plaque and tartar in every size: $0.42 a day for a 10 lb dog to $1.54 for a 50 lb dog. For the lowest price, Pedigree Dentastix runs $0.18 to $0.47 a day (58% to 69% less), and for 22 to 66 lb the seal for both is $1.13 a day with Virbac VeggieDent FR3SH Medium.
Best for dogs 5 to 15 lb
Greenies Teenie
VOHC: plaque and tartar15 to 15 lb25 calories a chew2$0.42 a day
Best for dogs 50 to 100 lb
Greenies Large
VOHC: plaque and tartar150 to 100 lb142 calories a chew3$1.54 a day
Best value for dogs 40 lb and up
Pedigree Dentastix Large variety pack
VOHC: tartar only140 lb and up73 to 84 calories a chew4$0.47 a day
How we pick: the chew made for the dog's weight, one chew a day. Best for a size = the chew with the VOHC seal for plaque and tartar; best value = the cheapest VOHC-listed Dentastix. Prices on Amazon, October 28, 2026.5
Cost a day by dog weight
One chew a day, in the size the label gives
Amazon prices read October 28, 2026. Seals from VOHC's list, updated August 2026.
Why we pick Greenies
- The seal covers plaque and tartar, in every size. VOHC accepts Original Greenies in all five sizes for both. For Dentastix, VOHC names the Large variety pack (tartar only) and Dentastix Advanced (plaque and tartar). It does not name the Small/Toy or Small/Medium sticks.1
- It is a size for your dog. Greenies Teenie is for 5 to 15 lb dogs at $0.42 a day. Greenies Large is for 50 to 100 lb dogs at $1.54 a day.2, 3, 5
- Pick by dog size. Under 15 lb: Greenies Teenie, $0.42 a day. 22 to 66 lb: Virbac VeggieDent FR3SH Medium, $1.13. Over 66 lb: Greenies Large for the seal ($1.54) or Pedigree Dentastix Large variety pack for the lowest price ($0.47).2, 3, 5
For dogs 22 to 66 lb, Virbac VeggieDent FR3SH Medium has the VOHC seal for plaque and tartar and costs $1.13 a day.1, 5 See the best dental chews for dogs for every size.
When to pick Dentastix
- Pick Dentastix for a dog 40 lb or more if cost matters. Pedigree Dentastix Large variety pack costs $0.47 a day against $1.54 for Greenies Large: 69% less, about $391 a year for a 50 lb dog. It has the VOHC seal for tartar.1, 5
- Pick Dentastix for a dog 22 to 40 lb if price matters most. Pedigree Dentastix Small/Medium Original is $0.38 a day.5 VOHC does not name it.1 For the seal at this size, Virbac VeggieDent FR3SH Medium is $1.13 a day.
- Pick Dentastix for a small dog if you want the lowest price. Pedigree Dentastix Small/Toy Fresh is $0.18 a day for dogs 7 to 22 lb, against $0.42 for Greenies Teenie. VOHC does not name it.1, 5
- Pick Dentastix for fewer calories. Pedigree Dentastix Large variety pack has 73 to 84 calories a chew; Greenies Large has 142.3, 4 Comparing with the vet-sold chew? See OraVet vs Greenies.
Every Greenies and Dentastix size, side by side
Each chew in the size on the listing. Both brands say one a day, so the cost of a chew is the cost a day.6, 7
Size = the dog weight on the package. Calories = per chew; the share is of a day's calories for the smallest dog that size is for (Merck formula for a neutered adult dog). Cost = Amazon price divided by the chews in the bag, read October 28, 2026.
| Product | Size | VOHC seal | Calories a chew | Cost a chew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenies Teenie | 5 to 15 lb | Yes: plaque and tartar | 25; 12% of a 5 lb dog's day | $0.42 a day |
| Greenies Large | 50 to 100 lb | Yes: plaque and tartar | 142; 12% of a 50 lb dog's day | $1.54 a day |
| Pedigree Dentastix Small/Toy Fresh | 7 to 22 lb | Not on the list | 21; 8% of a 7 lb dog's day | $0.18 a day |
| Pedigree Dentastix Small/Medium Original | 22 to 40 lb | Not on the list | 54; 9% of a 22 lb dog's day | $0.38 a day |
| Pedigree Dentastix Large variety pack | 40 lb and up | Yes: tartar only | 73 to 84; 8% of a 40 lb dog's day | $0.47 a day |
Source: VOHC accepted list (August 2026); package photos and labels; Amazon prices read October 28, 20261, 5, 8
What is in each chew
Greenies list wheat flour, glycerin, wheat gluten and gelatin first.3 Dentastix list rice flour, wheat starch and glycerin first.4 Both contain wheat. A Greenies Large chew has 142 calories, which is 12% of a 50 lb dog's day; a Dentastix Large chew averages 78 calories, 7%.8 Dentastix says its treats are not suitable for puppies; Greenies says its Large bag is not for dogs under 5 lb or under 6 months.3, 7
What the research says
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) gives its seal to dental products that cut plaque, tartar or both. It does not test products: the maker sends two trials, and a council of veterinary dentists and dental scientists checks them.9 To pass, a chew has to leave at least 15% less plaque or tartar than the control in each trial and 20% less on average, over at least 28 days.10 VOHC calls brushing the gold standard; a chew helps between brushings. A dental chew counts as a treat: keep treats under 10% of the day's calories and watch your dog chew.11
Questions people ask
- Greenies vs Dentastix: which is better?
- Greenies, if you want the VOHC seal for plaque and tartar in every size: $0.42 a day for a 10 lb dog and $1.54 for a 50 lb dog. Dentastix costs less ($0.18 and $0.47 a day) and the Large pack has the seal for tartar.
- Are Greenies VOHC approved?
- Yes. VOHC accepts Original Greenies in all five sizes for plaque and tartar.1
- Are Dentastix VOHC approved?
- Some are. VOHC names the Pedigree Dentastix Original Large variety pack (Beef and Fresh) for tartar and Dentastix Advanced for plaque and tartar. The Small/Toy and Small/Medium sticks are not named.1
- How many calories are in a Greenie?
- Greenies Teenie has 25 calories and Greenies Large has 142.2, 3
- How many calories are in a Dentastix?
- Pedigree Dentastix Small/Toy Fresh has about 21, Pedigree Dentastix Small/Medium Original has 54, and the Large pack has 73 to 84 depending on the flavor.4
- Can I give my dog a Greenie or Dentastix every day?
- Both brands say one a day.6, 7 Count it toward the 10% treat limit.11
Notes and sources
- Size, calories and cost come from each package, label or retailer listing; VOHC status comes from VOHC's own list, matched by product name and size. See how we do the math.
- Product photos come from Amazon.
- Prices checked on Amazon October 28, 2026. Published .
Sources
- Veterinary Oral Health Council, "VOHC Accepted Products for Dogs" (table dated August 25, 2026; "This list was last updated August 2026"), read October 28, 2026.
- Greenies Teenie package photo on the Amazon listing (for dogs 5 to 15 lb; 25 kcal per treat; VOHC seal), read October 28, 2026.
- Greenies Large package photo on the Amazon listing (for dogs 50 to 100 lb, one a day; 142 kcal per treat; not for dogs under 5 lb or under 6 months; VOHC seal for plaque and tartar; ingredients start wheat flour, glycerin, wheat gluten, gelatin; crude protein 28% min), read October 28, 2026.
- Pedigree Dentastix Large package photo on the Amazon listing (ingredients start rice flour, wheat starch, glycerin, chicken; 78 (Original), 84 (Beef), 73 (Fresh) kcal per treat; crude protein 8% min), read October 28, 2026.
- Prices: Amazon product data, read October 28, 2026. Cost per serving = listing price divided by the servings in the container.
- Greenies, dog dental treats (one treat a day; the page lists four sizes, Teenie, Petite, Regular and Large; VOHC counts five), read October 28, 2026.
- Pedigree, "Dentastix" (one a day; "not suitable for puppies"; sizes toy/small, small/medium and large; no VOHC mention), read October 28, 2026.
- Merck Veterinary Manual, "Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals" (resting energy = 70 x kg to the 0.75; neutered adult dog = 1.6 x that), read October 28, 2026.
- Veterinary Oral Health Council, home page (what the seal means, who reviews, "The VOHC does not test products itself," "The gold standard is brushing"), read October 28, 2026.
- Veterinary Oral Health Council, "Trial Protocol Requirements" (at least 15% less plaque or tartar than the control in each of two trials, 20% on average, p<0.05, at least 28 days), read October 28, 2026.
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association, "Feeding treats to your dog," 2024 (treats, chews included, under 10% of daily calories; supervise your dog with chews), read October 28, 2026.
Labels for the products in the tables
- Greenies: Large Natural Dental Dog Treats, Original Flavor, 24 Count, Teenie Original Natural Dental Dog Treats, Chicken, 43 Count.
- Pedigree: Dentastix Large Breed Dental Dog Treats, Variety, 51 Count, Dentastix Small & Medium Dental Dog Treats, Original, 45 ct, Dentastix Small & Toy Breed Dental Dog Treats, Fresh, 51 Count.