Dentastix Fresh Toy/Small Dog Treats
Verified May 25, 2026
A low-protein, low-fat dental chew designed for adult toy and small-breed dogs. It uses rice flour and wheat starch as the main ingredients and has a chewy X-shaped design aimed at helping reduce plaque and tartar while providing a minty-smelling treat. This is meant as an occasional dental snack, not a complete diet.
This is a reasonable everyday dental chew option for healthy adult toy and small-breed dogs who tolerate wheat and rice. It offers controlled calories per stick and a texture and shape intended to support mechanical cleaning of the teeth, with added mint-type ingredients for fresher breath. It’s best used alongside, not instead of, toothbrushing and regular dental care.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Designed specifically as a dental chew, with a chewy texture and X-shape that can help mechanically reduce plaque and tartar when used regularly.
- Relatively low in fat and moderate in calories at about 21 kcal per treat, which helps with calorie control for small dogs when portions are monitored.
- Includes added vitamins and vitamin C source, so it provides more than just empty calories as a treat.
- Mint-related ingredients like peppermint flavor, parsley, and eucalyptus oil may help improve breath odor for some dogs.
Considerations
- Made primarily from rice flour and wheat starch, so it’s not a high-protein or high-meat treat and is more of a carbohydrate-based chew.
- Contains wheat, which can be an issue for dogs with confirmed wheat allergies or sensitivities.
- Includes artificial colors (Blue 2 and Yellow 5), which are not nutritionally necessary and some owners may prefer to avoid.
- Not suitable for puppies or dogs under 7 lb, and the chewing action still does not replace daily toothbrushing and professional dental cleanings.
Full Ingredient List
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
Rice Flour
Rice flour is a finely milled carbohydrate ingredient commonly used in pet foods as a digestible energy source and as a binder or thickener in kibble, treats, and wet food formulations. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and cats and low in fat, but offers limited protein and essential amino acids (so it should complement animal protein sources), can increase dietary glycemic load which may be relevant for diabetic or weight‑management pets, and may carry low levels of inorganic arsenic depending on sourcing and processing.
02
Wheat Starch
Wheat starch is a concentrated carbohydrate commonly used in pet foods as a binder, thickener and energy source to help form kibble structure and improve texture during processing. It is highly digestible but supplies little protein or essential nutrients—cats receive minimal nutritional benefit—and may affect blood glucose in overweight or diabetic pets; dogs with wheat or gluten sensitivities can also react, so formulas for those animals typically avoid wheat-derived starches.
03
Glycerol
Glycerol (glycerin) is used in pet foods primarily as a humectant and sweetening agent to retain moisture, improve texture and palatability, and serve as a solvent or carrier in wet foods, treats, and liquid supplements. It provides a modest source of metabolizable energy for dogs and cats, but in large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset and may affect blood glucose, so products intended for diabetic pets or sensitive animals should be used with caution.
04
Gum Arabic
Gum Arabic (acacia gum) is a natural soluble fiber commonly used in pet foods and treats as a stabilizer, emulsifier and binding agent and provides fermentable fiber that can act as a mild prebiotic—benefiting gut microbiota in dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats—while not contributing meaningful protein, vitamin, or mineral nutrition. It is generally safe at typical inclusion levels and can improve texture and stool consistency, but high amounts may cause gastrointestinal upset or loose stools and rare sensitivities or allergic reactions should be monitored.
05
Gelatin
Gelatin, a collagen-derived gelling agent and binder, is commonly used in pet treats, chews and wet foods to improve texture, moisture retention and as an ingredient in joint or skin supplements. It provides collagen-related amino acids (e.g., glycine and proline) that may support joint and coat health but is not a complete protein—lacking essential amino acids such as tryptophan and taurine—so it should not replace balanced animal protein; source and quality (bovine vs. porcine) can matter for dietary preferences and safety concerns.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
Brand
Pedigree is one of the largest global dog food brands, owned by Mars Petcare. It offers a broad range of dry and wet foods and treats for dogs across all life stages, positioned as an accessible, mass‑market brand sold in grocery, mass retail, and pet specialty channels worldwide. Marketing emphasizes everyday nutrition, affordability, and support for dog welfare and adoption initiatives.
Visit PedigreeManufacturer
Mars Petcare operates large-scale manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America with formal quality and food safety systems modeled on human food standards. Facilities follow HACCP-based programs, Good Manufacturing Practices, and are routinely audited for compliance with local regulatory bodies (e.g., FDA and USDA in the U.S., FEDIAF-related standards in Europe). Mars maintains in‑house research and development centers, employs veterinarians and pet nutrition scientists, and conducts digestibility and palatability studies and AAFCO feeding trials for many of its complete-and-balanced diets.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Toy/Small Dog Treats has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Pedigree ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Pedigree. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
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.
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 database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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