Minties Dental Bone Treats Review: Do They Remove Plaque Better Than Brushing?
Leashes & Lattes Rating
Minties claim to remove plaque and tartar and freshen breath. Daniella tests them with her dog and compares them to Dentastix and Greenies.
Minties are one of the most popular dental chews for medium dogs, and they've earned a strong reputation for effectiveness and palatability. But how do they compare to the market leaders — Dentastix and Greenies — and are they worth buying?
What Makes Minties Different
Minties contain spearmint and peppermint, which provide genuine breath-freshening benefits beyond what most dental chews offer. The ridged texture creates mechanical cleaning action against the tooth surface, and the bone shape is designed to encourage chewing from multiple angles.
They're also free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives — a significant advantage over Dentastix, which contain artificial ingredients.
Effectiveness
Minties are veterinarian recommended (though not VOHC accepted, which is a distinction worth noting). The mechanical cleaning action is effective, and the mint ingredients genuinely freshen breath. In my testing with Mochi, I noticed a measurable improvement in breath freshness after consistent daily use.
The ridged texture is particularly effective at cleaning the back teeth (carnassial teeth), which are the most important teeth for dogs to keep clean and the most commonly affected by periodontal disease.
Palatability
Mochi loves Minties — she eats them enthusiastically and takes her time chewing them, which is important for dental efficacy. Dogs who eat dental chews too quickly don't get the full cleaning benefit, so the fact that Minties are large enough to require sustained chewing is a genuine advantage.
Comparison to Dentastix and Greenies
| Feature | Minties | Dentastix | Greenies |
|---|---|---|---|
| VOHC Accepted | No | Yes | Yes |
| Natural Ingredients | Yes | No | Mostly |
| Breath Freshening | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Price (60 ct) | $24.62 | $23.98 (51 ct) | $36.97 (130 ct) |
| Best For | Medium dogs | All sizes | Small dogs |
Verdict
4.5/5 stars. Minties are an excellent dental chew for medium dogs, with better breath-freshening than Dentastix and more natural ingredients. The lack of VOHC acceptance is a minor concern, but the veterinarian recommendation and strong owner reviews suggest they're genuinely effective. If you have a medium dog and want a natural dental chew with excellent breath-freshening, Minties are the right choice.
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