Minties Dog Dental Bone Treats, Tiny/Small Dental Dog Treats, 16 Ounces, Cleans Teeth, Fight Bad Breath, Removes Plaque and Tartar, 40 Count

The Verdict

Let’s be honest: most “dental” dog treats are glorified biscuits. Dogs chew them for 30 seconds, swallow, and you’ve spent $20 on breath that still smells like a dumpster. The Minties Tiny/Small Dental Bone Treats are different — and the 36,600+ ratings on Amazon back that up. But at $26.52 for a 16-ounce bag, are they worth the premium? Here’s the real breakdown.

What You Actually Get

The 16-ounce bag contains 40 bone-shaped treats, each roughly 1.5 inches long. That’s the “Tiny/Small” size, specifically designed for dogs under 25 pounds. The texture is what sets these apart: a firm, flexy consistency that doesn’t shatter into dangerous shards. The ingredient list is straightforward — wheat flour, corn starch, glycerin, and a few active ingredients like sodium hexametaphosphate (the same compound in human toothpaste that binds calcium and slows tartar formation).

How They Actually Perform

The science here is legit. Minties are one of the few treats with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of acceptance for plaque and tartar control. That’s not marketing fluff — that’s independent veterinary review. The flexy texture creates mechanical abrasion as your dog chews, scrubbing the tooth surface down to the gumline where tartar typically forms.

In real-world use, customers report visible results within 2-3 weeks of daily use. One verified buyer noted, “My vet actually asked what I changed — my Yorkie’s teeth were noticeably cleaner at her annual checkup.” Another long-term reviewer mentioned, “I’ve tried Greenies, Whimzees, and Dentastix. Minties are the only ones my picky Shih Tzu finishes completely and actually seems to enjoy.”

The flavor is a major selling point. The treats have a mild minty aroma that doesn’t overpower, and dogs seem genuinely excited for them — which matters when you need daily compliance.

Where It Falls Short

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: price. At $26.52, you’re paying about 66 cents per treat. Greenies Tiny size runs cheaper per serving. If you have a dog that demolishes treats in one bite without chewing, you’re burning money — these require actual mastication to work.

The grain content is another issue. Wheat and corn are the primary ingredients, so this is a hard pass for dogs with grain allergies or owners who insist on grain-free diets. For a “dental” product, that feels counterintuitive, but it’s the reality.

The packaging is also annoyingly bare-bones. The bag has no resealable zipper, so unless you transfer treats to an airtight container, they’ll go stale within a week or two. Given the price point, that’s a frustrating oversight.

Who Should Buy These

Buy if: You have a small dog (under 25 lbs) that actually chews its treats, and you want a clinically validated dental aid without brushing every day. This is also ideal for dogs who are mouth-sensitive and won’t tolerate toothbrushes or dental gels.

Skip if: Your dog is a gulper who swallows treats whole. You need grain-free options. Or you’re on a tight budget — there are cheaper dental treats, though you’ll sacrifice the VOHC seal.

FAQ

Q: How many treats should I give my dog per day? A: One treat daily is the recommended dosage. More than that risks digestive upset due to the glycerin content. At 40 treats per bag, that’s roughly 6 weeks of supply.

Q: Are these safe for puppies? A: The manufacturer recommends them for dogs 6 months and older. For puppies under 6 months with adult teeth still coming in, the flexy texture could be too tough.

Q: Do they actually help with bad breath, or just mask it? A: They do both. The mint flavor provides immediate freshening, but the mechanical scrubbing and sodium hexametaphosphate work to reduce the plaque bacteria that cause halitosis long-term. Most reviewers report sustained breath improvement after 2 weeks of daily use.

The Verdict: 4.6/5 Stars

Minties Tiny/Small Dental Bone Treats are the real deal for small dogs that actually chew. The VOHC acceptance isn’t marketing posturing — it’s independent verification that this product does what it claims. The price is steep, the grain content is a legitimate concern for some, and the packaging is lazy. But for the majority of small-dog owners, these deliver visible dental results with zero brushing drama.

Buy it if your dog chews properly and you want clinically proven dental care in a treat form. Skip it if you need grain-free, have a gulper, or want the best per-treat value.

Prices and availability verified as of August 2026. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing new treats, especially for dogs with existing dental disease or dietary restrictions.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.