So I picked up a pack of Greenies Teenie Dental Chews. Here’s what happened over six weeks of daily use.

Why Greenies? And Why the Teenie Size?

Greenies are one of the most popular dental chews available — they’ve got the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval, which means there’s actual clinical evidence behind the claims. Plus the Teenie size is for dogs 5-15 lbs, so it’s a perfect match for miniature dachshunds like Oscar (he’s about 11 lbs).

As for the ingredients, the list is straightforward: wheat protein, glycerin, soy protein, and a bunch of vitamins. No artificial flavors, and they’re supposedly easy to digest. The texture is that distinctive spongy, slightly chewy consistency that’s designed to rub against teeth as the dog chews. That said, some dogs might not love the feel — Oscar was fine with it from day one.

Now here’s the quick specs in a table:

Oscar’s 6-Week Test: The Good and the “Meh”

I gave Oscar one Greenie Teenie every evening after his dinner walk. Now here’s what I noticed:

Week 1-2: He took to them immediately. Zero hesitation. He’d grab the chew and trot off to his bed, spending about 3-4 minutes working through it. The texture is firm enough to provide some scrubbing action but soft enough that even a small dachshund mouth can handle it. I watched him closely the first few times because I’m paranoid about choking — the chews softened up as he chewed and didn’t leave sharp edges. So far, so good on the safety front.

Week 3-4: His breath was noticeably better. Not like a mint commercial better, but the difference was real. Before Greenies I’d sometimes catch a whiff when he yawned near my face; by week four that was mostly gone. The 47% tartar reduction claim comes from a published study, and while I’m not running controlled experiments in my living room, I could see less yellow buildup on his back molars. So the numbers seem to hold up in real life too.

The smell: Worth mentioning honestly. Greenies have a strong scent — green tea mixed with vegetable broth. Still, Oscar’s a garbage disposal with fur, so he didn’t care. The scent lingers in the bag and your hands after handing one out.

Week 5-6: By this point it became part of our routine. Oscar started waiting by the treat cabinet around 7 PM. His chewing motion was consistent — he used his back teeth primarily, which is exactly what you want. A 130-count bag at roughly $45 lasts about 4+ months for one small dog, so the daily cost is reasonable.

What to Watch Out For

Not everything’s perfect. Here are a few honest notes:

Calorie count. At 21 kcal each, one Greenie a day represents about 7-10% of a miniature dachshund’s daily needs. So if you’re free-feeding on top of regular meals, you could see weight creep. Dachshunds are prone to putting on pounds, so I adjusted Oscar’s dinner portion slightly.

Ingredient simplicity. These aren’t single-ingredient treats. That said, if your dog has sensitivities to wheat or soy (common allergies in some breeds), check the ingredients carefully — I cover common dog food allergens in my dachshund allergies guide. Oscar’s stomach handled them fine, but I’ve seen reports from other owners whose dogs didn’t tolerate them as well — individual results may vary.

Not a brushing replacement. No chew replaces actual tooth brushing. Still, Greenies are a good supplementary tool, not a substitute for veterinary dental care. If your dog has existing dental issues, talk to your vet first. Plus, for more on keeping your doxie’s mouth healthy through their senior years, my senior dachshund care guide covers dental routines worth checking out.

Bottom Line

If you’re exploring the best dental chews for small dogs, the Greenies Teenie are a solid option I’d recommend after six weeks of testing. They’re VOHC-certified, Oscar enjoys them, and I’ve seen real improvement in his breath over six weeks. The daily cost is low, the texture is safe for small mouths, and they’re easy to incorporate into a routine.

But are they the only dental option? No. Still, for a picky dachshund who thinks brushing is a personal insult, they’ve been a worthwhile addition to our evening routine.