Original Article: https://www.dogster.com/dog-nutrition/whimzees-dog-treats-reviews

If you’re looking for an all-natural, grain-free dog treat to help clean your pup’s teeth and freshen their breath, then Whimzees dog treats are just what you need! These dental chews, made in the Netherlands, come in various shapes, sizes, and fun designs meant to help clean tartar and plaque off teeth better than other dental chews. Canines of all ages and breeds adore these treats, as do their parents. But are these treats suitable for your dog?

If your pet has food allergies, these are the treats for them. However, if your pup has dental issues already, you may want to look elsewhere, as these treats tend to be on the harder side (as they’re designed to be longer-lasting chews). Here’s a closer look at what Whimzees has to offer your dog and everything you need to know to make an informed decision!

At a Glance: The Best Whimzees Dog Treats:

Whimzees Dog Treats Reviewed

If you’re unfamiliar with the Whimzees dog treat line, you (and your dog) are in for a treat. These all-natural dental chews are free of grains and gluten, so they’re better for pups with food allergies. The chews come in a variety of fun shapes, sizes, and designs, so it’s easy to find one your pup will love. Plus, these chews are meant to last longer than most other dental chews.

Though Whimzees is a popular brand, it’s on the pricier side, which puts some people off these treats. Some may also not be fans because these treats are grain-free. So, here’s a closer look at Whimzees dog treats to determine whether these chews are right for your favorite canine!

Who Makes Whimzees Dog Treats and Where Are They Produced?

Whimzees dog treats are made in the Netherlands but manufactured by Wellness Pet Company, stationed outside Boston. The Whimzees brand originated in the Netherlands when Whimzees entered the pet dental chew market in 2013. They were acquired by Wellness Pet Company in 2017.¹

Wellness Pet Company was founded in 1926 with the introduction of their Old Mother Hubbard dog biscuit line. Since then, the company has branched out into making all sorts of natural pet dental chews, treats, and food. Wellness Pet Company also works with several non-profits to better the lives of pets.

Though the Whimzees dog treats are made in the Netherlands, ingredients are sourced from throughout Europe, including Italy and Germany. Whimzees carries the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s seal of approval, is a non-GMO verified brand, and can be found in 32+ countries.

Who Are Whimzees Dog Treats Best Suited For?

Whimzees dog treats are suitable for almost any dog with teeth. They’re especially good for canines with sensitivities or allergies to chicken, wheat, artificial ingredients, and gluten, as these products have none of these things. Even aggressive chewers should do fine with these chews, as they’ve been known to be more of a challenge to chew and destroy!

Who Might Do Better With a Different Brand?

While Whimzees dog treats are suitable for most canines, they aren’t recommended for dogs under the age of nine months. They also won’t be ideal for dogs who lack teeth or those whose teeth are highly sensitive, as the chews are pretty hard. Pups who routinely experience digestive problems may have trouble with these treats, as well, as the natural ingredients used in them can be more difficult to digest.

If you need a softer chew for your favorite furry pal, True Acre Foods, All-Natural Dental Chew Sticks are chewier than Whimzees but still firm enough that they won’t crumble as your pet eats. These treats are also easily digestible and have a shape with six points designed to scrape away more tartar and plaque.

Discussion of Whimzees Dog Treats

Whimzees dog treats are made with a limited ingredient formula and all-natural ingredients.  As a result, the treats lack gluten, meat, grain, GMOs, and artificial flavorings and colors. While most of the ingredients found in these treats are fantastic, particularly for pups with food allergies, some of their less commonly used ingredients may not be the best for some dogs. Here’s a closer look at the ingredients these dental chews use, as well as how their design helps clean teeth and the eco-friendliness of the company.

Primary Ingredients

If you take a look at the ingredient list for our five picks for the best Whimzees dog treat products, you’ll see that all but one have the same first six ingredients (and the fifth product has these ingredients as well, but they’re listed as ingredients two through seven). These six main ingredients used in the majority of Whimzees dog treats include:

While most of these ingredients shouldn’t cause issues with canines, there are a couple of things to be aware of. One thing to know is that lecithin is sometimes made from soy, so if soy is something you want to avoid, you may wish to contact the company to find out what theirs is made from. The other thing is that too much yeast in a dog’s diet may cause digestive problems, so you need to give your pup these treats in moderation.

Design

The design of these doggie chews is not random like some dental chews are. Rather, Whimzees are specially designed to be shaped and textured to best scrape teeth of tartar and plaque and freshen breath. Whimzees accomplishes this by including ridges and grooves on their treats that remove the bad stuff from your pup’s teeth and by shaping their chews into knobby shapes designed to massage a dog’s gums, thus improving circulation in the mouth and providing fresher breath.

These dental treats also come in shapes and sizes specific to a breed’s size. This means that a treat for a large breed dog would look and feel different from that of a small breed. This enables the chews to match the structure of a dog’s mouth and the amount of force they use to chew, which provides a better clean.

Eco-Friendly

Whimzees is dedicated to eco-friendliness and sustainability. Their treats are produced in an environmentally responsible manner, which helps lessen your pup’s carbon footprint. Add to that their commitment to using all-natural, healthy ingredients that help maintain your pet’s well-being and dental health, and it’s easy to see how this company is making a conscious effort to be earth-friendly.

Not So Great Ingredients

While the ingredients listed above are the main ones Whimzees uses in their dog treats, there are a few others you may find lurking. These ingredients aren’t in all their chews, but you will find them in some. While most of the following ingredients aren’t inherently dangerous, a few might not be the best for some canines.

A Quick Look at Whimzees Dog Treats

Reviews of the 3 Best Whimzees Dog Treat Products

Here are some quick reviews, pros, and cons of the best Whimzees dog treat products!

1. WHIMZEES by Wellness Alligator Dental Chews – Our Favorite

These alligator-shaped dental chews aren’t only adorable, but they’re also fantastic for cleaning a dog’s teeth and freshening their breath. This chew features knobby shapes designed to increase blood circulation in the gums, thus keeping breath fresher and reducing the amount of tartar build-up. These fun and tasty dental treats also have hollow spaces that make it simpler for your pup to get their teeth around the chew, ensuring a more thorough clean.

These treats are on the pricier side, though, so some people weren’t satisfied with the amount of product received for the cost. A few people mentioned that these didn’t last very long for larger dogs, too. There were also a couple of pups who vomited after consuming these treats. However, overall, people were quite pleased with the product.

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2. WHIMZEES by Wellness Brushzees Dental Chews Natural Grain-Free Dental Dog Treats

The Brushzees dental chews may have a different shape than the alligators (as they look similar to toothbrushes), but they work in about the same way. These chews also have knobby shapes that stimulate the gums to increase blood circulation, which helps freshen breath. These chews also have hollow shapes that allow a canine to get a better grip with their teeth for a more thorough cleaning of the teeth.

The majority of dog parents were big fans of these chews as they lasted longer than other name-brand products, and dogs were fans of the taste. There were a couple of complaints about this product, though. A few picky eaters weren’t fans, and a handful of pups with sensitive stomachs experienced vomiting or loose stools after eating. Plus, again, pet parents weren’t thrilled with the cost of this product.

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3. WHIMZEES by Wellness Occupy Antler Dental Chews

This Whimzees product comes in a fun antler shape (but is not an actual antler) and is rawhide-free. The shape of this one is meant to encourage a dog to chew longer, and many dog parents felt that these did last a good long while for their pups. While this one doesn’t have knobby shapes, it does have hollow spaces to help clean in between even the smallest areas in a canine’s mouth.

This product didn’t really have many complaints. One person claimed their dog developed a yeast infection due to the potato starch in this product. The cost of the product was another factor people weren’t thrilled by.

What Other Users Are Saying

As we’ve mentioned, a lot of dog parents are big fans of Whimzees dog treats. Don’t take our word for it, though. Listen to pet parents themselves tell you what they think of the Whimzees line.

Conclusion

Overall, Whimzees dog treats seem wonderful for the majority of dogs. Pet parents and their canines were big fans of what Whimzees had to offer, from taste to all-natural ingredients to the cleanliness of a dog’s teeth. There were only a few minor complaints about most of the Whimzees chews, and the biggest one was about the cost of these dental chews. If cost isn’t a concern for you, though, chances are Whimzees will make a healthy, delicious treat for your canine companion!

Source: Dogster