Short answer
Milk-Bone Brushing Chews hold a VOHC tartar claim since 2014, and the Large chew (100 kcal) is lighter than the Greenies Large (142) or Brushzees Large (173). They contain chicken by-product meal and dairy, so they suit dogs without poultry or milk problems. The claim covers tartar only, not plaque.
- Fits: dogs from 5 lb up and 6 months or older, with no chicken or milk sensitivity, whose owners want a tartar claim.
- Skip or check first: dogs avoiding chicken, dairy, grains or propylene glycol, and owners who want a plaque claim on the seal.
- Caveat: the manufacturer asks owners to reduce food by about 10% while feeding it daily.
What this page rests on
Mini, Small/Medium and Large figures come from the three milkbone.com size pages, and the seal from the VOHC accepted products list. All values were read on October 13, 2026; we do not test chews on dogs and use no Amazon content.
Milk-Bone Brushing Chews key facts
- Maker
- Big Heart Pet Brands (J.M. Smucker)
- VOHC
- Tartar claim only, seal year 2014, checked on October 13, 2026. Row: “Milk-Bone Brushing Chews for Dogs, Daily Dental Treat”
- Minimum age
- 6 months
- Feeding
- 1 per day; reduce food by about 10% daily while feeding
- Texture
- Not published on the manufacturer page we checked (2026-10-13)
- Grain-free
- No (manufacturer)
- Contains chicken
- Yes: chicken by-product meal (manufacturer)
- Made in
- Not published on the manufacturer page we checked (2026-10-13)
Sizes by dog weight
| Size | Dog weight | kcal per chew | Chew weight | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | 5–24 lb | 30 | Not published on the manufacturer page we checked (2026-10-13) | Manufacturer (milkbone.com) |
| Small/Medium | 25–49 lb | 65 | Not published on the manufacturer page we checked (2026-10-13) | Manufacturer (milkbone.com) |
| Large | 50 lb and over | 100 | Not published on the manufacturer page we checked (2026-10-13) | Manufacturer (milkbone.com) |
Only three sizes, with Small/Medium covering a 25 lb dog and a 49 lb dog alike. The Mini serves dogs from 5 to 24 lb, a wide span in which the same 30 kcal chew is a larger share of the day for the smallest dogs.
Ingredients: what comes first
The manufacturer's list begins with brewers rice, powdered cellulose, modified food starch, chicken by-product meal and propylene glycol. The main protein sources named are chicken by-product meal and dried skim milk. So the recipe has poultry and dairy and is built on rice, which matters for dogs with food sensitivities. Whether any one ingredient bothers a particular dog is a question for a veterinarian.
Calories and the 10% rule
WSAVA recommends treats under 10% of daily calories (WSAVA, Feeding treats to your dog). We turn that into a percentage by dividing the chew's kcal by the WSAVA budget at an example weight and multiplying by 100. The smaller the dog in a size band, the larger the share: a Mini is 125% for a 9 lb dog but 64% for a 22 lb dog. The label's own advice, cutting food by about 10%, points the same way. Ask your veterinarian for an exact figure.
| Size | kcal per chew | Chew as % of a daily treat budget, by dog weight |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | 30 | 9 lb: 24 kcal budget, chew = 125%; 13 lb: 32 kcal budget, chew = 94%; 18 lb: 40 kcal budget, chew = 75%; 22 lb: 47 kcal budget, chew = 64% |
| Small/Medium | 65 | 33 lb: 64 kcal budget, chew = 102%; 44 lb: 79 kcal budget, chew = 82% |
| Large | 100 | 55 lb: 94 kcal budget, chew = 106%; 77 lb: 121 kcal budget, chew = 83%; 99 lb: 146 kcal budget, chew = 68% |
VOHC status: tartar, not plaque
The council lists this chew for tartar only, seal year 2014. Chews for plaque and tartar, such as Greenies Original, carry a broader claim. The VOHC row names “Milk-Bone Brushing Chews for Dogs, Daily Dental Treat”; other Milk-Bone products do not share it. Check the pack against the VOHC accepted list.
Safety and feeding notes
Give one chew a day for the dog's weight, from 6 months of age, and reduce the regular food as the label advises. We found no manufacturer choking or blockage statement on the pages checked; since any chew can be swallowed in pieces, watch the dog while it chews. We have not reviewed recall records.
Who should skip Milk-Bone Brushing Chews
- Dogs under 6 months.
- Dogs avoiding chicken, milk, grains or propylene glycol.
- Owners who require a plaque claim.
Frequently asked questions
Are Milk-Bone Brushing Chews healthy?
They are a treat, so their calories count: 30 kcal for Mini, 65 for Small/Medium and 100 for Large. The recipe has chicken by-product meal and dried skim milk. Whether it is healthy for your dog depends on its diet and health, so ask your veterinarian.
Is Milk-Bone Brushing Chews VOHC accepted?
Yes, for tartar only, seal year 2014, on the VOHC list we checked on October 13, 2026. It is not listed for plaque.
Do Milk-Bone Brushing Chews work?
The evidence we cite is the VOHC tartar claim. We run no tests and show no effectiveness figures. A chew does not replace brushing or a veterinary dental exam.
Are Milk-Bone Brushing Chews a choking hazard?
The manufacturer pages checked carry no choking statement. Any chew can break into pieces, so pick the size for the dog's weight, watch the dog and take away small leftovers.
Alternatives and comparisons
A plaque-and-tartar claim: Greenies Original, which also has wheat. No chicken: Whimzees Brushzees or VeggieDent FR3SH. Related pages: Dentastix vs Greenies, the Best dental chews table and the cost calculator. The side-by-side with Greenies is Milk-Bone Brushing Chews vs Greenies. By dog size: dental chews for small dogs and dental chews for large dogs; for the 6-month minimum age see dental chews for puppies.
Where to look
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Sources
- Milk-Bone: Brushing Chews, Small/Medium, accessed October 13, 2026. Feeding, age, ingredients, diet claims. Sizes also from the Mini and Large pages.
- VOHC: Accepted products, accessed October 13, 2026. Claim and seal year.
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association: Feeding treats to your dog (June 2024), accessed October 13, 2026. The 10% guidance and treat budgets.