What VOHC approval actually means
The Veterinary Oral Health Council is an independent body founded by veterinary dental specialists. It evaluates products that make dental health claims for pets — and it's the only standard that requires actual clinical trial data before a claim can be made.
To earn the seal, a product must submit a pre-approved trial protocol, run the study independently, and demonstrate at least a 10% reduction in plaque or 20% reduction in tartar versus a control group. The results are reviewed by the council before any seal is awarded. Without it, phrases like "helps clean teeth" or "supports dental health" on packaging are completely unregulated.
As of the August 2026 update, the full VOHC accepted products list for dogs covers dozens of products from manufacturers around the world. Among all of them, two are genuinely Canadian-made — and one more was submitted by the Canadian division of a multinational.
The 3 Canadian VOHC-approved products
1. bluestem Water Additive
Stem Animal Health · Calgary, Alberta 🇨🇦
bluestem is a Canadian oral health brand headquartered in Calgary. Their water additive earned VOHC acceptance in 2022 for tartar reduction — making it one of the very few water additives on the entire VOHC list with verified tartar claims (most water additives only qualify for plaque). It's odourless, tasteless, and simply added to your dog's water bowl once daily. No brushing required, no fuss. This is the product we recommend across all DentiPaws routines — Canadian-made, VOHC-verified, and genuinely easy to use every day.
Find on Amazon.ca →2. Performatrin Prime™ Oral Care
Pet Valu Canada · Markham, Ontario 🇨🇦
Performatrin is Pet Valu Canada's own brand — and Performatrin Prime Oral Care is currently the only Canadian-made dry dog food with VOHC approval. It earned its seal in 2024 for tartar reduction, making it the answer to a question we used to have to answer with "no, there isn't one" when people asked about Canadian-made dental kibble. It's available at Pet Valu Canada locations. As with all VOHC-accepted kibbles, it works as a complement to brushing — not a replacement.
Find on Petvalu.ca →3. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets essentialcare® Adult
Nestle Purina Petcare Canada · Distributed in Canada via vet clinics
This is the newest VOHC-approved dental diet available in Canada, approved in 2026. It was submitted by Nestle Purina Petcare Canada — the product is distributed in Canada but manufactured by Nestlé Purina, a multinational with production primarily in the US. It is a veterinary diet, available only through vet clinics. For most dog owners shopping independently, the first two options above are the better choice — both genuinely Canadian-made and consumer-accessible.
What this means for your dog's routine
The short version: bluestem belongs in most Canadian dogs' daily routines. It's the only Canadian VOHC-approved product accessible to any dog owner regardless of breed, size or budget — and it requires no behavioural change from the dog whatsoever. Just add it to the water bowl.
Performatrin Prime Oral Care is a strong choice if you're already looking for a quality Canadian-made kibble and want the dental verification on top. It's not a replacement for brushing, but it's a meaningful addition — especially for dogs who don't tolerate brushing well.
The rest of the DentiPaws routines — daily brushing, dental chews and professional cleanings — remain just as important. VOHC-approved products reduce tartar by up to 20% in clinical studies. Daily brushing consistently does more. The ideal approach is both.
💡 Key takeaway
As of August 2026, only three Canadian-made dog dental products hold VOHC approval: bluestem Water Additive (tartar, consumer, 2022), Performatrin Prime™ Oral Care (tartar, consumer, 2024) and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets essentialcare® (tartar, vet only, 2026 — distributed in Canada, not confirmed Canadian-made). Of these, bluestem is the most universally applicable — any dog, any routine, any breed. The two genuinely Canadian-made options are bluestem and Performatrin Prime.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many Canadian dog dental products are VOHC approved?
As of August 2026, three VOHC-approved products are associated with Canadian companies: bluestem Water Additive (Stem Animal Health, Calgary — Canadian-made), Performatrin Prime™ Oral Care (Pet Valu Canada, Markham — Canadian-made), and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets essentialcare® Adult (submitted by Nestle Purina Petcare Canada, vet only — distributed in Canada but not confirmed Canadian-manufactured).
Is bluestem water additive VOHC approved?
Yes. bluestem Water Additive by Stem Animal Health (Calgary, Alberta) earned VOHC acceptance in 2022 for tartar reduction. It's a consumer product available at pet retailers and on Amazon.ca — no prescription required.
Is there a Canadian-made VOHC dental kibble?
Yes — Performatrin Prime™ Oral Care by Pet Valu Canada (Markham, Ontario) earned VOHC approval in 2024 for tartar reduction. It's currently the only Canadian-made dry dog food with VOHC dental credentials. Available at Pet Valu Canada.
Does VOHC approval mean a product replaces brushing?
No. VOHC-approved products reduce plaque or tartar by at least 10–20% in clinical trials. Daily brushing consistently outperforms any single product. Use VOHC-approved products as part of a complete routine that includes brushing, not instead of it.