My dog treat box is a graveyard of dental chews that haven’t worked for us. Matilda and Cow aren’t impressed by some of them, and maybe I shouldn’t be surprised – some of them smell really bland. Others, they were willing to eat, but caused stomach issues in one or both dogs.
So when I first heard about Yummy Combs, I wondered if we’d be let down again or if we’ve finally found that very special dental chew. Something I could give a few times a week alongside brushing teeth and using dental water additives that the dogs would actually look forward too, rather than try to bury them between the couch cushions.
Today I’m excited to share our experience with Yummy Combs and give you a chance to try them for yourself. The brand, Pet’s Best Life, has generously offered to give away a month’s supply of Yummy Combs to three lucky winners. Scroll to the end of this post to enter for a chance to win!
What Are Yummy Combs Dental Chews?
A Yummy Comb is a long-lasting chew with a patented, six-sided hexagon shape with hexagon-shaped divots – yes, like a honey comb. It’s firm enough to keep your dog busy for around 5-10 minutes (in our experience) but the thin walls are easy to break down.
Many dental chews for dogs are comprised of vegetable starch, and quite a few of them are vegetarian. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing if your dog has protein allergies, but my dogs just aren’t interested in those.
Yummy Combs are made up of 44% animal protein, with chicken as the first ingredient, so it came as no surprise that my dogs snatched them up right away and went to work on them.
Some good news for us picky pet parents: the dental treats were developed by a board-certified veterinarian nutritionist, they’re recommended by veterinarians, and they’re made in North Kansas City, Missouri.
Why Are Yummy Combs Shaped That Way?
I wondered if Yummy Combs would be awkward for my dogs to chew. After all, most dental chews have a long stick shape that dogs hold between their front paws.
But I’ve noticed that Cow, with her strong jaws, has been able to snap pieces off of stick-shaped chews. She’s thankfully very good about thoroughly chewing each piece, but I always worry about her gulping down a chunk – those long pieces could easily get stuck in her esophagus.
My dogs have no problem chewing their Yummy Combs, as they break down, those thin walls are easy for dogs to chew into pieces that are easy to digest.
As with any other dental chew, always supervise your dog while they enjoy Yummy Combs, and always purchase the correct size. If your dog is a vigorous chewer for their weight, you should size up.
Do Yummy Combs Clean Teeth?
The honeycomb shape is designed to clean between teeth and reach plaque at the gumline.
When my dogs chew stick-shaped dental treats, I notice that they’re mainly working their molars. Molars can be tough to reach with a toothbrush, but my dogs also accumulate tartar on their canines and between their incisors.
It’s pretty cool to see the way the Yummy Combs fit in their mouth and reach more of their teeth. As my dogs gnaw, I can see them shifting the treat from side to side, occasionally pausing to eat small corners. They eat the edges and work their way to the center, so by the time they’re almost finished, the middle has softened.
Like most long-lasting chews, the gnawing action promotes saliva production, which helps keep the mouth cleaner overall. There’s a very noticeable difference in Matilda’s breath right before and after she has her Yummy Comb.
Dental chews are just one part of your dog’s home dental care routine. I still recommend brushing your dog’s teeth as often as you can and using a water additive.
Are Yummy Combs For Toy Breeds?
Matilda is just under 5 pounds in weight, so another reason we struggle with dental chews is because they’re almost always too big for her to eat in one sitting.
The smallest Yummy Comb is recommended for dogs 5.5 lbs to 10 lbs, but it works perfectly for her. It’s small enough that I don’t have to take it away when she’s half done, nor do I have to cut back her dinner to avoid excessive calories in one day.
What Would I Change About Yummy Combs?
The only thing I’d want the Yummy Combs makers to do differently in the future is offer more protein options. Many dogs have a sensitivity to chicken. Thankfully, Cow’s allergy test from 5Strands showed that she is actually fine with it, and she hasn’t had any flare ups since we started giving her the new dental treats.
I’d also like to be able to get them in singles or trial packs. This is true of all dental treats – you normally have to buy a whole bag to see if your dog likes them. That said, my choosy dogs took to them right away, so I don’t think it’s likely your dog won’t love them.
Who Should Use Yummy Combs?
Just about any dog can benefit from these dental treats. Check out the ingredients list. There’s so much to love. They contain glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, which, by the way, you don’t need to wait until your dog is a senior with joint pain to add to their diet. Turmeric and salmon oil alleviate inflammation, great for allergy dogs like Cow.
Get Your Own Yummy Combs!
You can find Yummy Combs at your local PetSmart, or get them at Amazon and other online retailers.
Enter to win a month’s supply of Yummy Combs!
Must be 18 or older to enter, USA only. Three winners will receive a month’s supply of Yummy Combs for dogs 50 pounds or under. Winners will be notified via email and will need to provide a USA mailing address and their dog’s approximate weight so we can send you the right size treats.
She also uses her pet copywriting business to make sure the best pet products and services get found online through catchy copy and fun, informative blog posts. She also provides product description writing services for ecommerce companies.
As a dog mom to Matilda and Cow, she spends most of her days taking long walks and practicing new tricks, and most nights trying to make the best of a very modest portion of her bed.
You’ll also find her baking bread and making homemade pizza, laughing, painting and shopping.
