Short answer
Whimzees Brushzees is a grain-free, plant-based chew with no animal protein listed, carrying a VOHC plaque and tartar claim since 2019. It suits dogs of 9 months or older that need to avoid chicken or wheat. Its Large chew is 173 kcal, which is a heavy load for dogs at the bottom of the 40 to 60 lb band.
- Fits: dogs from 5 lb up, 9 months or older, where avoiding poultry and grain matters.
- Skip or check first: dogs under 9 months, dogs with potato or lupin sensitivities, and owners who need a published kcal for XS and XL.
- Caveat: the manufacturer publishes no calories; the numbers below come from a retailer label statement.
Where the numbers come from
Weights, age, feeding and ingredients are from Wellness's own Brushzees page. Because that page lists no calories, the Small, Medium and Large figures are a label statement from a PetSmart product page, cited as plain text and not linked. Extra-Small and Extra-Large calories were not on any page checked, so they stay blank. The seal is from the VOHC accepted products list. All of it was checked on October 13, 2026; we run no tests on dogs.
Brushzees at a glance
- Maker
- Wellness Pet Company (Whimzees brand)
- VOHC
- Plaque and Tartar claim, seal year 2019, checked on October 13, 2026. Row: “Wellness Whimzees BRUSHZEES Dental Dog Treats, all sizes”
- Minimum age
- 9 months (manufacturer page)
- Feeding
- 1 chew per day, with fresh water always available
- Texture
- Not published on the manufacturer page we checked (2026-10-13)
- Grain-free
- Yes (PetSmart label statement, not linked)
- Contains chicken
- No; the manufacturer ingredient list shows no animal protein
- Made in
- Not published on the manufacturer page we checked (2026-10-13)
Brushzees sizes and calories by dog weight
| Size | Dog weight | kcal per chew | Chew weight | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Small | 5–15 lb | Not published | Not published | Weight: manufacturer. kcal: not published on the pages we checked |
| Small | 15–25 lb | 44 | 15 g | Weight: manufacturer. kcal and grams: PetSmart label statement (not linked) |
| Medium | 25–40 lb | 87 | 30 g | Weight: manufacturer. kcal and grams: PetSmart label statement (not linked) |
| Large | 40–60 lb | 173 | 60 g | Weight: manufacturer. kcal and grams: PetSmart label statement (not linked) |
| X-Large | Over 60 lb | Not published | Not published | Weight: manufacturer. kcal: not published on the pages we checked |
Chew weight scales with size (15, 30 and 60 g for Small, Medium and Large), and calories roughly double at each step. That explains the jump from 87 kcal for a 25 to 40 lb dog to 173 kcal for a 40 to 60 lb dog.
Ingredients: what is in a Brushzees chew
The manufacturer lists, in order: potato starch, glycerin, powdered cellulose, lecithin, dried yeast, malt extract, sweet lupin meal, alfalfa extract and paprika extract. Medium, Large and X-Large also contain calcium carbonate. Nothing on the list is a meat or fish meal. Lupin is a legume, so dogs with legume sensitivities need a veterinarian's input.
Brushzees against a daily treat budget
WSAVA advises that treats make up under 10% of daily calories (WSAVA, Feeding treats to your dog). The table divides each chew's kcal by the WSAVA budget for an example weight, then multiplies by 100; budgets are for healthy adults at ideal weight. A Large chew is about 219% of the budget for a 44 lb dog and 184% for a 55 lb dog, so on those days other treats should be zero and the meal reduced. Your veterinarian can supply an exact calorie target.
| Size | kcal per chew | Chew as % of a daily treat budget |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 44 | 18 lb: 40 kcal budget, chew = 110%; 22 lb: 47 kcal budget, chew = 94% |
| Medium | 87 | 33 lb: 64 kcal budget, chew = 136% |
| Large | 173 | 44 lb: 79 kcal budget, chew = 219%; 55 lb: 94 kcal budget, chew = 184% |
| X-Small | Not published | Not calculated: no kcal published for this size |
| X-Large | Not published | Not calculated: no kcal published for this size |
VOHC status
The council lists Brushzees (all sizes) for plaque and tartar, seal year 2019, and the same year for the Toothbrush line. Other Whimzees shapes are not on the list. The pack name matters, so check the VOHC accepted list. The mechanism behind the claim is not stated on the row.
Safety and feeding notes
Give one chew a day, matched to the weight band, with water available. The 9-month age minimum comes from the manufacturer page; one retailer shows 3 months, which we do not use. Remove small leftover pieces and watch the dog chew. We found no manufacturer safety statement beyond feeding directions, and we have not reviewed recall records.
Who should skip Brushzees
- Dogs younger than 9 months.
- Dogs whose daily calories are tightly restricted, especially mid-weight dogs on the Large chew.
- Dogs with a known reaction to potato, lupin, yeast or paprika extract.
Frequently asked questions
Do vets recommend Whimzees?
This site quotes no veterinarians. The check we can make is the VOHC list, covered in Greenies vs Whimzees. Ask your own veterinarian.
Are Whimzees VOHC accepted?
Only the Brushzees and Toothbrush lines are, each for plaque and tartar with seal year 2019. Other Whimzees shapes do not appear on the VOHC list we checked on October 13, 2026.
Do Whimzees work?
The only independent evidence we cite is the VOHC listing, which covers Brushzees and Toothbrush for plaque and tartar. We run no tests and publish no effectiveness figures. A chew does not replace brushing or a dental exam.
How many calories are in Whimzees Brushzees?
Small is 44 kcal, Medium 87 and Large 173 according to a PetSmart label statement. Extra-Small and Extra-Large are not published on the pages we checked, and the Wellness page lists no calories.
Alternatives and comparisons
If wheat is acceptable and you want published manufacturer calories, see Greenies Original. Another plant-based option is VeggieDent FR3SH. A chicken-containing, lower-calorie choice is Milk-Bone Brushing Chews. The side-by-side is Greenies vs Whimzees. For cost per day use the cost calculator. By dog size: dental chews for small dogs and dental chews for large dogs; for the 9-month minimum age see dental chews for puppies.
Where to look
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Sources
- Wellness: Whimzees Brushzees, accessed October 13, 2026. Weights, age, feeding, ingredients.
- 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.
- PetSmart: Whimzees Brushzees Medium listing, label statement for kcal, chew weight and grain-free (retailer product page, not linked), accessed October 13, 2026.