Dog oral care is not something you can take lightly as a pet parent. Just like us humans, poor dental hygeine can lead to so much more than bad breath. It can lead to serious complications and diseases down the road.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options at your disposal. But does dog dental powder work? What about a dental water additive for dogs? Of all the different products we see circulating the Australian pet supplement market, dental chews are the best option that actually works.
Two of the biggest brands you’ll come across are Greenies vs Kirkland dental chews. So what are the differences in these formulations and which is better? We’ll compare and contrast their ingredients, costs, and other important details to help you make the right choice.
The truth is, though, there’s a better option than both Kirkland and Greenies dog chews. Look no further than our dog dental chews here at Mighty Munch. They’re infused with probiotics and professionally formulated to improve oral health and freshen breath. Learn more today!
How Dental Chews Support Canine Oral Health
These are perhaps the simplest yet most effective way to support your dog’s dental hygiene. Let’s be honest, brushing and flossing your pet’s teeth isn’t practical. That’s what makes these dental chews, or dental sticks, so great.
They’re firm but chewable, so your dog is actually scraping away plaque and tartar buildup as they enjoy what they think is just another treat. This can bring down the risk of gum disease and put bad breath in the past.
Be clear, these aren’t going to be a complete replacement for the rest of your dog’s oral care habits, but they can complement regular brushing and vet checkups between cleanings.
So what exactly makes them such a good dog plaque remover? The textured surface loosens food particles, plaque, and bacteria from teeth and gums as your pet chews away.
Some of these even contain enzymes or active ingredients to break down plaque even further! Others contain vitamins, minerals, or probiotics to support overall health, digestion, and fresh breath.
There are added benefits to incorporating dental chews into your dog’s routine, like strengthening their jaw, providing mental stimulation, alleviating stress, and more.
Unfortunately, though, not all dental sticks are created equal. Why are dental sticks bad for dogs in some cases? You can’t afford to settle for anything less than the best for your four-legged friend. So, let’s get into our comparison of Greenies vs Kirkland dental chews below.
Overview of Greenies Dental Chews
Greenies are the most popular dental treats for dogs, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved so you can trust they meet strict standards for plaque and tartar removal.
They’re known for their chewy, flexible texture that effortlessly bends around teeth for the most thorough clean possible, outperforming more rigid chews. They also do a great job freshening breath.
Greenies are made from natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals to support overall wellness. These treats are gentle on the canine digestive system, so even dogs with sensitive stomachs can enjoy them.
What really sets them apart from other brands, like Kirkland, is their variety. You have so many options at your fingertips, including multiple sizes to suit different breeds and chewing styles and a ton of different flavours to appeal to picky eaters.
Just be aware that the softer texture can be a problem for aggressive eaters. Your dog might work through them too quickly to make enough of a difference in oral care. They’re also pretty expensive. So, let’s look at the other side of the Greenies vs Kirkland dental chews comparison.
Overview of Kirkland Dental Chews
You can’t beat the value Kirkland offers across its entire brand catalogue, and its dental chews are no exception. These are an affordable, effective, grain-free solution made with natural ingredients - no need to worry about artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives here!
They’re designed with a unique shape where each treat has multilevel ridges and nubs to clean teeth from different angles as dogs chew. This goes a long way in reducing plaque and tartar build-up.
Another unique feature is the paw-grip handle that makes it easier for dogs to hold onto the treat while chewing on the other end. Similar to Greenies these dental chews contain added vitamins and minerals for overal wellness.
The texture of Kirkland dental chews is quite different, though. It’s much firmer so it’ll last longer for dogs that tend to chew quickly - all while providing better value for the money.
But you shouldn’t make the decision based on cost alone. So, which is better - Kirkland dog chews vs Greenies? We’ll unpack all the differences below.
Greenies vs Kirkland Dental Chews: Which is Right For Your Pet?
Either way, you’re making a great step in the right direction by looking into dental chews for your dog. This will go a long way in improving their oral hygeine and preventing more serious issues down the road. But which is the right choice for your pet?
Although they serve a similar purpose, there are distinct differences between Greenies vs Kirkland dental chews - in terms of ingredients, suitability for specific dogs, and of course, cost.
Ingredients and Nutritional Value
Because you’re going to feed your dog these chews in addition to their regular diet, nutritional value needs to be taken into consideration. You don’t want to overfeed in terms of calories or overdo it in certain nutrients.
Greenies contain 28% crude protein to support muscle mass, but Kirkland has a slightly higher protein content at 33%. While you’re not feeding these treats for the purpose of getting them more protein, it’s something to keep in mind.
Greenies skews higher in fat content, up to 8%, which is why dogs tend to like these more - but, they may not be the right choice for dogs struggling with weight already. Kirkland is a leaner option at just 3% fat.
Both chews include added calcium and phosphorus for bone and dental health. However, they each offer different vitamins in addition to these two essentials. Kirkland contains vitamins A and E for immune and skin health, while Greenies feature niacin (B3) for metabolic support.
We can see the calorie content of Greenies is 86 kcal per treat, but Kirkland doesn’t explicitly state theirs. It stands to reason that it’s lower, though, given the minimal fat content.
Cleaning Teeth and Reducing Bad Breath
What matters most in a dental chew is how well it cleans teeth and freshens breath. It’s hard to declare one better than the other in comparing Kirkland dog dental chews vs Greenies, though.
Reviews are fairly mixed - we see plenty of pawrents raving about each option, but we also see some feeling as if the results were underwhelming. What we can compare is the texture and formulation, though, as this speaks to effectiveness.
Greenies are known for their soft, chewy texture designed to bend and wrap around teeth for a more thorough clean. In contrast, Kirkland dog chews are firmer, so they may not reach into the crevices quite as well. But they do have multilevel ridges and nubs that scrape against teeth from different angles.
Both options can help clear up that awful doggy breath, but Greenies may have an edge here since these treats incorporate fruit juice and turmeric for natural breath. Kirkland chews rely solely on mechanical cleaning action to control odours.
Suitability for Different Dog Sizes and Chewing Habits
What really sets Greenies apart from Kirkland is how many different options you have, making it easy to tailor the formulation to your dog’s size. They have four choices: Teenie, Petite, Regular, and Large, with an easy-to-use size chart to pick the perfect product.
On the other hand, Kirkland only offers one size, designed for dogs 5 lbs and up. Smaller dogs may struggle with the larger chew, while giant breeds could find it too small. While Kirkland offers different feeding guidelines based on weight, the experience won’t be as customisable.
Price and Value for Pet Owners
We mentioned earlier that there’s a clear difference in cost between Greenies vs Kirkland dental chews for dogs. But we also made it clear you shouldn’t shop based on size alone.
Still, Kirkland is the clear winner when it comes to value for the money at just $0.51 per chew - based on the current price of $36.99 for a 72-pack. In contrast, Greenies come in a 27-pack for $32.98, which works out to $1.22 per chew.
Why would you pay more than double the price for Greenies, then? Well, the higher cost might be worth it if you want more variety in size and flavour, along with the assurance of knowing these are VOHC-approved.
It’s worth noting that either way, these dental sticks are a small price to pay in comparison to the dog teeth cleaning cost. Think of it as a preventive investment in your pup’s oral hygiene that saves more costly dental bills down the road!
So, Which is Better?
Ultimately, only you can determine whether Kirkland dog dental chews vs Greenies are the right choice for your canine companion. They both bring something unique to your pet’s oral care routine.
Greenies is a softer chew that wraps around the teeth for better cleaning, and you have so many options to choose from to tailor the experience to your pet. You’ll have to pay a hefty premium for this, though.
That’s why some pet parents still choose Kirkland. Although they’re a bit more “one-size-fits-most” and might not offer quite the same level of cleaning capabilities, they’re a fraction of the price and still do a great job.
But as we said from the start, there’s a third options that fills in the gaps between Greenies vs Kirkland dental chews and brings other unique benefits to the table: Mighty Munch.
Introducing a Better Dog Dental Chew Than Greenies and Kirkland: Mighty Munch
We’re the #1 choice for dog supplements Australia pet parents trust, from joint support to oral care. Our new dog dental chews are unlike anything else currently on the market beacuse we’ve infused them with powerful probiotics for dogs.
This means they go beyond removing plaque and tartar. They actively support oral hygiene, digestive health, and fresher breath all in one easy, delicious (to your dog) chew.
Our proprietary manufacturing process means you can rest assured you’re getting a safe, effective solution with nothing but the best ingredients. They’re crafted to exceed Australia’s pet health standards.
In fact, thousands of pet parents are already seeing the benefits of incorporating our dental chews, and vets recommend them. Plus, they work for any dog. Can puppies have dental sticks? Yep, and so can large senior dogs. Our formula is 100% safe and highly effective.
We’re so confident in the difference our dental sticks make that we offer a 90-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t see noticeable improvements in your dog’s breath and oral health, we’ll refund your purchase - no questions asked. Order today for the oral support your pup needs!
Wrapping Up Our Comparison of Kirkland Dog Dental Chews vs Greenies
That does it for our comparison of Greenies vs Kirkland dental chews. Each offers benefits for canine oral health, but with their own unique trade-offs.
For instance, Greenies are a leading brand known for quality, but the steep price tag and wheat-based ingredients can be a dealbreaker for some pet parents. Kirkland chews are budget-friendly and grain free but lack size variety and have a less comprehensive formula.
That’s why the best dental chews for dogs are actually just a click away, right here at Mighty Munch. We developed our solution to fill in the gaps left by the other guys for the most comprehensive product, one that goes beyond plaque removal.
Your dog deserves better, and we provide it. Ditch the fillers and artificial additives and choose vet-recommended dental chews from Mighty Munch today!
