Greenies Teenie Dental Chews Review 2026: Do They Clean Dachshund Teeth?

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. This review is based on my own experience with my dachshund. Individual results may vary.

My mini dachshund’s breath got bad enough to clear a room. So I knew I had a problem. And the vet confirmed it: plaque buildup on his back molars, early tartar forming, and a gentle push to do more for his teeth. She recommended daily brushing — and pointed me to our dachshund dental care guide for the basics. But if you’ve ever tried to get a toothbrush near a stubborn dachshund’s mouth, you know it’s basically a wrestling match. So I went looking for a backup plan.

And that’s how I ended up with Greenies Teenie Dental Chews.

What Are Greenies Teenie?

Now, Greenies are the #1 vet-recommended dental chew brand in the US. And the Teenie size is designed specifically for dogs weighing 5-15 lbs — which puts mini dachshunds (8-11 lbs) right in the sweet spot. And each chew is about 1.5 inches long with a porous, flexible texture meant to scrub teeth as the dog chews.

But the real differentiator is the VOHC seal. Still, the VOHC only backs products with independent clinical data — and Greenies have it. And studies show 47% less tartar and 40% less plaque after 28 days of daily use.

That’s real data, not just marketing copy.

My 4-Week Test

Week 1: So my dachshund treated the first Greenie like a mystery object. He sniffed it, carried it to his bed, and spent two days figuring out that yes, this thing is edible. By day three he was finishing one in about 4-5 minutes. No digestive issues — which I was relieved about, because some dental chews have upset his stomach in the past.

Week 2: So I started checking his teeth more closely. No dramatic change yet, but his breath was noticeably less offensive. It went from “wakes me up at 3am” bad to “I can sit next to him on the couch” bad. Small win.

Week 3: Still, the back molars — where the worst tartar buildup was — looked visibly cleaner. Not sparkling white, but the yellow-brown crust was thinner. His breath continued improving.

Week 4: His teeth definitely look better than where we started. The tartar on his upper molars has receded. Are they perfectly clean? No. But there’s a real, observable difference.

Dachshund-Specific Fit

So for a mini dachshund (8-11 lbs), the Teenie size is ideal. And the texture is firm enough to scrub but soft enough that my dog chews it without struggling. If you have a standard dachshund (16-32 lbs), I’d size up to the Regular — the Teenie might get swallowed whole.

But one thing to watch: Greenies contain wheat and corn. If your dachshund has grain sensitivities — more common in doxies than people realize — start with one and watch for reactions. (Our dachshund nutrition guide has more on sensitive stomachs.) My short-haired mini had no issues. Still, I know some dachshunds with sensitive stomachs don’t tolerate them well.

Who Should Buy Greenies Teenie?

Buy them if:

• Your small dog refuses toothbrushing (like mine)
• You want a VOHC-certified product with proven data
• Your dog is 5-15 lbs with mild tartar or bad breath
• You need a daily dental routine that’s easy to stick with

Skip them if:

• Your dog has serious dental disease needing veterinary treatment
• Your dog swallows treats whole without chewing
• Your dog has known grain or wheat allergies
• You’re expecting a replacement for professional dental cleaning

Bottom Line

Look, Greenies Teenie aren’t a miracle cure — they won’t reverse advanced dental disease or replace your vet’s scaling. But for a daily maintenance routine that a stubborn dachshund actually accepts? And they work. If your dog is in the 5-15 lb range and toothbrushing is a battle you’re tired of fighting, this is a solid starting point.

So I bought the 130-count multipack and it lasted over four months. And Subscribe & Save drops the price by about 15%, which makes the daily cost more manageable.