OraVet vs Greenies: which dental chew should you buy?
Greenies, for most dogs: the VOHC seal for plaque and tartar at $0.42 a day for a 10 lb dog (OraVet $1.27) and $1.54 for a 75 lb dog (OraVet $1.92). OraVet fits a dog 25 to 49 lb at $1.58 a day with the seal for tartar; at that size Virbac VeggieDent FR3SH Medium has the seal for both at $1.13.
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
How we pick: one chew a day in the size made for the dog's weight. Prices on Amazon, October 28, 2026.4
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. VOHC accepts Original Greenies in all five sizes for plaque and tartar. It accepts OraVet for tartar only.1
- It costs 20% to 67% less. Greenies Teenie is $0.42 a day for a 10 lb dog; OraVet Small is $1.27. At 75 lb, Greenies Large is $1.54 and OraVet Large is $1.92. At 50 lb the two are close: $1.54 and $1.58.4
- Pick by dog size. Under 5 lb: OraVet X-Small, $1.02 a day. 5 to 15 lb: Greenies Teenie, $0.42. 16 to 24 lb: OraVet Small, $1.27. 25 to 49 lb: OraVet Medium, $1.58 (tartar seal), or Virbac VeggieDent FR3SH Medium, $1.13 (seal for both). 50 lb and up: Greenies Large, $1.54.2–4
- Calories are printed on the bag. Greenies Teenie has 25 calories a chew and Greenies Large has 142.2, 3
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, 4 See the best dental chews for dogs for every size. Weighing Greenies against Dentastix? See Greenies vs Dentastix.
When to pick OraVet
- Pick OraVet for a dog 25 to 49 lb. OraVet Medium is $1.58 a day and has the VOHC seal for tartar.1, 4 For the seal for plaque and tartar at this size, Virbac VeggieDent FR3SH Medium is $1.13 a day.
- Pick OraVet for a dog under 5 lb. OraVet X-Small is for dogs 3.5 to 9 lb at $1.02 a day. Greenies Teenie starts at 5 lb.2, 4
- Pick OraVet for a dog 16 to 24 lb. OraVet Small covers 10 to 24 lb; Greenies Teenie stops at 15 lb. It is $1.27 a day.4
- Pick OraVet if you want a chew with delmopinol. Delmopinol hydrochloride is the ingredient OraVet adds. Boehringer Ingelheim, which makes OraVet, says it is used in human mouth rinses and creates a barrier against the bacteria that lead to plaque.5 OraVet is sold at vet clinics and online, for dogs 6 months and older.5, 6 At 10 lb it costs $0.85 a day more than Greenies Teenie, about $310 a year.
Every OraVet and Greenies size
Each chew in the size on the listing. Both brands are one a day, so the cost of a chew is the cost a day.6, 7
Size = the dog weight on the package. Cost = Amazon price divided by the chews in the bag, read October 28, 2026.
| Product | Size | VOHC seal | Cost a chew |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenies Teenie | 5 to 15 lb | Yes: plaque and tartar | $0.42 a day |
| Greenies Large | 50 to 100 lb | Yes: plaque and tartar | $1.54 a day |
| OraVet X-Small | 3.5 to 9 lb | Yes: tartar only | $1.02 a day |
| OraVet Small | 10 to 24 lb | Yes: tartar only | $1.27 a day |
| OraVet Medium | 25 to 50 lb | Yes: tartar only | $1.58 a day |
| OraVet Large | 50 lb and up | Yes: tartar only | $1.92 a day |
Source: VOHC accepted list (August 2026); package photos and labels; Amazon prices read October 28, 20261, 4, 8
What the research says
OraVet says its chew coats the teeth so bacteria cannot attach to the enamel.6 VOHC accepted OraVet in 2016 for tartar, and Original Greenies in 2007 for plaque and tartar.1 VOHC gives its seal to 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 dental chew counts as a treat: keep treats under 10% of the day's calories and watch your dog chew.11
Questions people ask
- OraVet vs Greenies: which is better?
- Greenies for most dogs: the VOHC seal for plaque and tartar, at $0.42 a day for a 10 lb dog against $1.27 for OraVet. OraVet is the choice for a dog 25 to 49 lb ($1.58 a day, seal for tartar) or under 5 lb; at 25 to 49 lb, Virbac VeggieDent FR3SH Medium has the seal for both at $1.13 a day.
- Is OraVet VOHC approved?
- Yes, for tartar. VOHC accepted OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews in 2016.1
- Are Greenies VOHC approved?
- Yes, for plaque and tartar, in all five sizes of Original Greenies.1
- What is delmopinol in OraVet?
- Delmopinol hydrochloride is OraVet's added ingredient. The maker says it is used in human oral care rinses and creates a barrier against the bacteria that lead to plaque.5
- How much does OraVet cost a day?
- One chew a day: $1.02 for X-Small, $1.27 for Small, $1.58 for Medium and $1.92 for Large, at Amazon prices read October 28, 2026.
- How old does a dog need to be for OraVet?
- Boehringer Ingelheim says 6 months of age or older.5
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), read October 28, 2026.
- Prices: Amazon product data, read October 28, 2026. Cost per serving = listing price divided by the servings in the container.
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, "ORAVET Dental Hygiene Chews for Dogs" (delmopinol hydrochloride, "used in human oral care rinses"; "creating a barrier against the bacteria that lead to the formation of plaque"; dogs 6 months of age or older; 4 sizes; not for cats), read October 28, 2026.
- Boehringer Ingelheim, "Why ORAVET Chews" ("coats the teeth, preventing bacteria from attaching to the enamel"; given daily; sold at vet clinics and online retailers), read October 28, 2026.
- 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.
- 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.
- OraVet: Dental Chews, Oral Care and Hygiene Chews (Large Dogs, Over 50 lbs.) Pink Pouch, 30 Count, Dental Hygiene Chews (Medium, 25-50 lb), Dental Hygiene Chews, Extra Small (3.5-9 lb), 30 ct.