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DentaTabs Dental Supplement Powder
Tartar Shield

DentaTabs Dental Supplement Powder

Verified Aug 29, 2026

Dog · Supplement Cat · Supplement All Life Stages All Breed Sizes

This is a powdered dental supplement for dogs and cats that you dissolve in their drinking water or mix with food to help reduce plaque and tartar and freshen breath. It relies on ingredients like sodium bicarbonate, malic acid, and cetylpyridinium chloride, which are commonly used to support oral hygiene. It’s meant as an add-on to regular dental care, not a complete diet.

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Over-the-counter No recalls

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
7.5 out of 10

Solid Option

This is a functional dental supplement rather than a source of nutrition, designed for daily use in the water bowl for both dogs and cats. The ingredients are typical of oral-care products for humans and animals and are aimed at reducing plaque, tartar, and mouth bacteria. It can be a reasonable adjunct to tooth brushing or dental cleanings, but it does not replace a balanced diet or mechanical cleaning of the teeth.

Actives and dosage disclosure 6.0
Ingredient composition 6.5
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 3 of 3 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Dental Care Breath Support
Suitable For
All Life Stages All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Formulated specifically for dental support with ingredients like sodium bicarbonate and cetylpyridinium chloride that are commonly used to help control plaque and oral bacteria.
  • Suitable for both dogs and cats of any age, which can simplify routines in multi-pet households.
  • Powder form that can be dissolved in water or mixed with food, helpful for pets who won’t accept dental chews or brushing.

Considerations

  • This product provides essentially no meaningful calories, protein, or other nutrients, so it must be used alongside a complete and balanced diet.
  • Contains sorbitol and sodium saccharin as sweeteners; while generally safe at typical doses, they may not be ideal for pets with very sensitive gastrointestinal tracts.
  • Because it’s delivered in drinking water, its effectiveness can vary if a pet does not drink consistently from the treated bowl or has access to other water sources.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Sodium Bicarbonate, Malic Acid, Sodium Carbonate, Sorbitol, Carbowax, Cetyl Pyridinium Chloride, Sodium Saccharin

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate is used in pet food primarily as a pH buffer and leavening/processing aid to control acidity, improve texture in baked treats, and reduce caking. It provides no nutritional value but contributes sodium and can affect acid–base balance, so excessive intake or formulation errors may cause gastrointestinal upset, electrolyte disturbances or worsen heart or kidney disease in dogs and cats and should be used only at controlled levels.
02
Malic Acid
Malic acid is an organic acid used in pet foods primarily as an acidulant, flavoring agent and pH regulator to improve palatability and help preserve product stability. It has no essential nutritional value for dogs or cats, but in small, regulated amounts can enhance taste and shelf life; high concentrations may cause gastrointestinal upset or contribute to dental/tissue irritation, so it is kept at low, approved levels in formulations.
03
Sodium Carbonate
Sodium carbonate is used in pet food primarily as a pH adjuster and processing aid (for buffering, water hardness control, and anti-caking during manufacture) rather than as a nutrient. It has no direct nutritional benefit for dogs or cats, and while small regulated amounts are generally safe, excessive levels could contribute to sodium load or alkalinity issues and should be avoided in sodium‑sensitive or kidney‑disease pets.
04
Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol commonly used in pet foods, treats and veterinary formulations as a humectant, sweetener and texturizer that supplies some calories with a lower glycemic effect than normal sugar. It is not acutely toxic like xylitol, but can cause gastrointestinal upset—particularly gas and osmotic diarrhea—if consumed in moderate to large amounts, so owners should use caution for pets with sensitive stomachs or diabetes and monitor intake from treats and medications.
05
Carbowax
Carbowax (polyethylene glycol, PEG) is used in pet foods and treats primarily as a processing aid—acting as a humectant, binder or coating/plasticizer to retain moisture and stabilize texture—rather than as a nutrient. It provides no nutritional value for dogs or cats and is generally low-risk at typical use levels, though high doses can cause gastrointestinal upset or have a laxative effect; it should not be confused with ethylene glycol (antifreeze), which is highly toxic.


Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage All Life Stages
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Powder
Food type Supplement

Brand

Tartar Shield is a pet oral care brand offering dental chews, treats, and oral care solutions designed to support dental health and fresh breath in dogs and cats. The brand emphasizes scientifically backed formulations and patented active ingredients to help reduce tartar and plaque buildup.

Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Tartar Shield Pet Products, Inc.
Founded 2002
Headquarters Noblesville, Indiana, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Indiana
Manufacturing oversight

Tartar Shield Pet Products manufactures its products in FDA-registered and USDA-inspected facilities with quality control practices adhering to pet food industry safety standards.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Tartar Shield DentaTabs Dental Supplement Powder.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
SOLID PICK.
7.5 /10 Grade B
DentaTabs Dental Supplement Powder
Tartar Shield · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Tartar Shield ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Tartar Shield. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.