What the VOHC is

The Veterinary Oral Health Council is an independent body established by veterinary dental specialists to evaluate products making dental health claims for companion animals. It operates similarly to how the American Dental Association (ADA) evaluates human dental products. The VOHC does not manufacture or sell products. It evaluates clinical trial data submitted by manufacturers and awards a seal of acceptance to products that meet pre-established efficacy standards. The seal is awarded separately for plaque control and tartar control — a product may hold one or both.

What the approval process requires

To earn VOHC acceptance, a manufacturer must:

  • Submit a clinical study protocol to the VOHC for pre-approval before the study begins
  • Conduct the study according to the approved protocol using independent assessment
  • Demonstrate at least 10% reduction in plaque or 20% reduction in tartar compared to control
  • Have the complete study data reviewed and accepted by the VOHC board
The 10%/20% thresholds may sound modest, but they represent a consistent, measurable, repeatable effect across a properly controlled study population. The real value is not the magnitude of the effect — it's that the effect is proven to exist at all, which is more than can be said for most competing products.

VOHC-accepted product categories

Toothpastes and gels: Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste, Petsmile Professional Toothpaste, TropiClean Fresh Breath Gel Dental chews: Greenies Dental Treats, Purina DentaLife, Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Chews, Whimzees (selected varieties) Dental diets / kibble: Hill's Science Diet Oral Care, Royal Canin Dental, Purina Pro Plan Dental Health, Eukanuba Adult Maintenance Water additives: Oxyfresh Pet Dental Solution (the only water additive with full VOHC acceptance at time of writing) Rawhide and chews: Certain Virbac C.E.T. rawhide products carry VOHC acceptance. Standard rawhide does not.

What the seal does NOT mean

VOHC acceptance is meaningful, but it has limits that are important to understand. It does not mean the product replaces brushing. The efficacy standard (10% plaque reduction) is a fraction of what daily brushing achieves. VOHC products are best used as supplements to a brushing routine, not substitutes for one. It does not mean the product is safe for all dogs. VOHC evaluates efficacy, not safety. A product can carry the seal and still be inappropriate for certain dogs — wrong size chews for small breeds, for example, are a choking hazard regardless of their VOHC status. Absence of the seal does not necessarily mean a product is ineffective. Some high-quality products have simply not gone through the VOHC submission process. However, when in doubt, choose the product with the seal over the one without.

How to use this information when shopping

A practical buying framework:

  • Always check the VOHC website (vohc.org) before purchasing a dental product — the accepted product list is updated regularly
  • For daily brushing: choose a VOHC-accepted enzymatic toothpaste over a non-accepted product
  • For dental chews: look for the VOHC seal on the packaging, and match the size to your dog's weight range
  • For kibble: only two dental diets are worth buying specifically for dental benefit — Hill's Science Diet Oral Care and Royal Canin Dental. Others that claim dental benefits without the VOHC seal are making unsubstantiated claims.
  • For water additives: Oxyfresh is the standout VOHC-accepted option. Others may be fine, but the evidence is stronger for Oxyfresh.

💡 Key Takeaway

The VOHC seal is the only dental claim that requires independent clinical evidence. Use it as your primary filter when buying any dental care product. It doesn't mean the product replaces brushing — but it does mean the claim on the label has been earned.

📚 References

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