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This Easy Dental Chew Recipe Will Keep Your Dog's Teeth Sparkling

A Samoyed with a cucumber in front of their face.
A Samoyed with a cucumber in front of their face. lmage via Shutterstock / Pearl PhotoPix

One of the greatest struggles is keeping your dog's teeth clean. They hate when you brush their teeth, and they're always getting into something that's probably not the best for them. My middle dog loves to eat rocks. Rocks!

Even though most dogs make it as difficult as possible to keep their teeth clean, there are little tips, tricks, and things we can try. One dog mom's easy dental chew recipe is sure to be a hit with even the most difficult pups:

@mosbythedood

Have you tried this viral dental chew trend yet??? #dogrecipes#dogtreats#dogmom#dogsofinstagram#dogenrichment

Oogum Boogum Song - Brenton Wood

Mosby the Doodle certainly loves these homemade chews! They combine a bunch of his favorite things, and most importantly, he doesn't know it's good for him. If he knew that, there's a very good chance he would refuse it even though it tastes good.

Mosby is a Golden Doodle, and he's very eager to please. Luckily, his mom loves to find things that make him happy that are good for him; that's how you turn the not-fun stuff into a good habit.

Related: Golden Retriever's Stuffie-Muffled ‘Awoo' Is Still So Crisp and Clean

What Is the Dog Dental Chew Recipe?

Making your own dog treats doesn't have to be hard. You don't need a dozen ingredients and a big mess to make something delicious! For this recipe, you'll need a cucumber and a low-calorie beef pouch treat. You could use anything, really.

Putting together this easy dog dental chew is simple:

  • Cut an indent in the cucumber (and feed your pup the scraps).
  • Fill the indent with the liquid treat.
  • For even better enrichment and cleaning, you could freeze it first.

Chewing on things naturally helps keep a dog's teeth clean, and cucumbers are low-calorie, low-sugar, and natural breath fresheners!

Are Dental Chews Enough?

Think of it this way: sugar-free chewing gum is kind of the human equivalent of a dog dental chew. It reduces plaque, freshens breath, and keeps teeth cleaner between meals... But would you consider it enough? Would you chew gum morning and night instead of brushing?

 A Samoyed with a cucumber in front of their face.
A Samoyed with a cucumber in front of their face. Image via Shutterstock / Olga Anikina

Giving your dog a dental chew every day will help, but it's a supplement to their dental routine, not a substitute for proper dental care. Ideally, you should brush your dog's teeth at least 3-4 times a week. They should also be seen by their vet regularly: they'll do a dental exam.

If you're just looking for something to give your dog a boost throughout the day, this is the perfect solution!

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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

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