WHAT'S INSIDE BELL & BONE
Our Dog and Cat Dental Ingredients
The Bell & Bone Approach
I started Bell & Bone because I believed pets deserved dental care made from ingredients you could actually feel good about. Every product is formulated the same way: real, recognisable ingredients chosen for a reason. Nothing added for the sake of it, nothing left out that matters.
Here is what goes into every product, and why.
Arianne, Founder & Owner of Bell & Bone
What we always use
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Meat first, where it matters mostMost dental treats lead with wheat flour or a starchy filler. Bell & Bone dental treats and bites lead with real meat, listed by percentage so there is nothing to guess at. The commitment to better starts with the very first ingredient on the list. -
Grain-free formulationDogs and cats are not built to digest grains the way we are. Their systems are designed for protein and fat, not wheat or grains which are among the most common triggers for food sensitivities in pets. Every Bell & Bone product is grain free because we formulate around what dogs and cats actually need, not what is cheap to include. -
Natural preservation onlyWe keep our products fresh with citric acid and buffered white distilled vinegar. No synthetic preservatives, no artificial colours, no artificial flavours, ever.
Our Science Backed Active Ingredients
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Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP)STPP is the active tartar control ingredient in our Dog Dental Sticks. It works by binding the calcium in saliva before it can form the hard calcium deposits that become tartar. In published canine studies, coating food with sodium tripolyphosphate reduced calculus by up to 55%.¹ It is one of the most well researched ingredients in canine dental care, and it is why our Dental Sticks do more than satisfy a chewing instinct. They actively protect your dog's teeth. -
Zinc SulphateZinc Sulphate appears in both our Dog Dental Sticks and Cat Dental Bites. It slows the bacterial growth that drives plaque, with proven antibacterial action against the germs behind gum disease. Working alongside STPP in dogs, it tackles dental disease from two directions: less tartar, fewer bacteria. -
Ascophyllum nodosum (seaweed)A brown seaweed with well documented benefits for oral health in pets. It works through the saliva to disrupt the bacterial biofilm on the teeth, reducing plaque adhesion and helping prevent tartar. In a placebo controlled study, daily Ascophyllum nodosum reduced plaque by around 40% and calculus by around 20% over 90 days.² An active ingredient in our Cat Dental Bites and Dental Toppers, and features in our Chicken with Seaweed Dental Sticks for dogs.
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The Tribiotic Blend (prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics)Our Dental Toppers are built around a tribiotic blend, and it is our single biggest point of difference. Dental disease does not only start in the mouth. It starts in the gut. When the gut microbiome is out of balance, the wrong bacteria flourish and travel to the gum line, where they drive plaque and inflammation. The tribiotic blend addresses this at the source: prebiotics feed the good bacteria, probiotics introduce live beneficial strains, and postbiotics reduce the inflammation those bad bacteria create.
The Flavour Botanicals
Ingredients chosen for cats
Cats have very different needs to dogs, and different vulnerabilities. As obligate carnivores, they are built for a high protein, low starch diet, and they are prone to conditions, including kidney disease, that careful formulation can help avoid.
Taurine
All Bell & Bone Cat Dental Bites contain taurine, an essential amino acid that cats, unlike dogs, cannot produce themselves. It must come from their diet, and a deficiency can lead to serious heart and eye conditions. Every Bell & Bone Cat Dental Bite contains taurine. It is non negotiable.
Cellulose
Cellulose provides the mechanical cleaning action in our Cat Dental Bites. As your cat crunches, its gentle abrasive effect helps lift plaque from the tooth surface, designed for the quick crunch of how cats eat rather than the sustained chewing of a dog.
Vitamin C
Supports gum health, immunity and everyday repair, a powerful natural antioxidant that complements the dental actives in every cat bite.
Catnip
The best dental treat is one your cat actually wants to eat. Our Cat Dental Bites include catnip because palatability is part of the formulation, not an afterthought.
Ingredients chosen for dogs
Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP)
STPP is the active tartar-control ingredient in our Dog Dental Sticks. It works by binding calcium ions in saliva, preventing them from forming the calcium phosphate deposits that become tartar. It is one of the most well-researched ingredients in canine dental care and is why our sticks do more than just satisfy a chewing instinct. They actively protect your dog's teeth.
Puppy Specific Ingredients
Our Puppy Dental Sticks are formulated for developing dogs from 10 weeks, with calcium-rich additions to support healthy teeth and bone development. Omega 3s are included to support growth, and STPP provides the same active tartar control as our adult range.
Senior Specific Ingredients
Our Senior Dental Sticks formula includes a B vitamin complex to support energy and vitality in older dogs, inulin as a prebiotic for gut health, and anti-inflammatory ingredients including turmeric, ginger and rosehip to support overall wellbeing.
What You Will Never Find in a Bell & Bone Product
❌ WHEAT, CORN
& GRAINS
❌ ARTIFICIAL COLOURS
OR FLAVOURS
❌ ARTIFICIAL
PRESERVATIVES
❌ FILLERS AS THE
FIRST INGREDIENT
Ingredient FAQs
Yes. STPP is a widely used, well researched food additive that works by binding calcium in the saliva to prevent tartar forming. It is included at a level formulated for daily use and is one of the most studied active ingredients in canine dental care.
Ascophyllum nodosum is a brown seaweed. Taken daily, it works through the saliva to reduce the plaque and tartar that build up on the teeth. Published studies show meaningful reductions in plaque and calculus over a 90 day period.
Yes. Every Bell & Bone Cat Dental Bite contains taurine, an essential amino acid cats cannot make themselves and must get from their diet.
Every Bell & Bone product is made in Australia and recommended by Dr Kelly Halls BVSc.
Every Bell & Bone product is recommended by Dr Kelly Halls BVSc and made in Australia. Learn more in our Dog Dental Care Guide and Cat Dental Care Guide, or browse by range.
Shop Dog Dental Treats | Shop Cat Dental Treats | Shop Dental Toppers
References
1. Hennet P, et al. "Effect of pellet food size and polyphosphates in preventing calculus accumulation in dogs." Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, 2007. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18309857
2. Gawor J, et al. "Effects of Edible Treats Containing Ascophyllum nodosum on the Oral Health of Dogs." Frontiers in Veterinary Science. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6080642
3. "Ascophyllum nodosum as a nutrient supporting oral health in dogs and cats." Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37727971