Wellness Whimzees Toothbrush Star (X‑Small) Review

intro

I’m The Pet Dude, and I write about pet gear that actually moves the needle for everyday pet parents. The Wellness Whimzees Natural Toothbrush Star in X‑Small is a plant-based dental chew that promises to reduce plaque and tartar while freshening breath. The listing calls it a low‑fat, vegetable‑textured snack designed to mimic a toothbrush’s cleaning action — and the 48‑piece, X‑Small bag is aimed at short chew sessions or as a daily reward. In this review I’ll walk through what the product is, how it behaves in daily life with different dogs, the safety notes I’d flag, and whether I’d reach for this over other dental chews.

What it is / first look

On paper, the Whimzees Toothbrush Star is straightforward: a stick/chew shaped treat that’s plant‑based, low fat, and flavored as "Malt." The listing identifies "Sweet Lupine Meal" as a special ingredient and describes the product as having a vegetable‑based texture with grooves and ridges intended to help remove tartar and plaque as a dog chews. Packaging comes in a bag; this specific SKU is labeled Xsmall and ships as a 48‑piece unit in a 12.7‑ounce bag (item weight and unit count listed on the product page).

When you first open the bag the chews look like molded sticks with a hollow or lightly hollowed interior in places and little ridges/grooves on the outside. Owners I tracked frequently point out a cute molded tooth on one end of the chew — a small design touch you’ll notice if you inspect pieces up close. The visual and tactile cues match what the listing promises: a vegetable‑based texture, ridges and grooves, and a small, X‑small physical size.

In daily use

I always think of dental chews as a short ritual — a treat that gives your dog a focused chewing session while you get a tooth‑cleaning benefit. In practice with the Whimzees X‑Small, that’s exactly how most households I followed used them. The listing calls out dental care, playtime, and snack time as recommended uses, and owners consistently used these as an evening or daily chew.

Small and toy dogs

These X‑Small pieces are best suited to small mouths. Several owners reported that toy breeds (Pomeranian, toy dogs around 6 lb) and small companions treat these chews as their go‑to. One owner said they usually break the X‑Small in half for even smaller pups; another noted the pieces are "not too big or too small" for their Pomeranian. From the listing: the SKU is Xsmall and the item form is Stick — the manufacturer also lists breed recommendation as "All Breed Sizes," but the physical X‑Small sizing makes these an obvious fit for toy and small dogs.

Medium and large dogs

The product page also includes a breed recommendation of "All Breed Sizes" and a listed "Dog Breed Size" of Medium, which is worth calling out. The X‑Small pieces will be consumed quickly by medium and large dogs, and many households used them as a quick breath‑freshening option or a brief distraction rather than a long‑lasting chew. Owners reported that larger dogs enjoy the flavor but the Xsmall pieces are short lived for heavier chewers.

Puppies and young adults

The listing lists the age range as "young‑adult," though internal feedback included reports of puppies enjoying the product without intestinal upset. If you own a teething puppy you may find these satisfy the chewing urge briefly; the listing itself designates the product for young‑adult dogs, so keep that distinction in mind.

Small animals (bonus use)

Interestingly, some owners used the X‑Small Whimzees for small animals (dwarf hamsters) and even larger mixes — an anecdote noted a Newfie that enjoyed them. The listing targets dogs, so consider these cross‑uses as household hacks rather than the product’s intended application.

Materials & build quality

The listing describes Whimzees as "all natural" and "plant‑based." The manufacturing detail specifically flags "Sweet Lupine Meal" as a special ingredient. The chews are presented as vegetable‑based sticks with an intentional texture: grooves and ridges to encourage plaque and tartar reduction during chewing. The bag packaging and SKU dimensions are listed (3.5 x 7 x 10.8 inches; 13.76 ounces total weight) and the unit count is 48 pieces in a bag.

From an engineering perspective these are molded chews: consistent shapes, visible ridging, and occasional hollow sections as noted by owners. That hollowing can change how a chew wears in a dog’s mouth — some report that the mostly hollow pieces are easier on teeth and break down faster for small dogs, which aligns with the listing’s claim of aiding dental health by mechanical abrasion (grooves and ridges).

Package quality is straightforward: a resealable bag is typical for this style, and owners reported receiving the manufacturer’s packaging intact. The listing also states the container type as Bag and includes the manufacturer name: Wellness Pet LLC (model WHZ301).

Safety considerations

Pet safety is my top priority, so here are the safety observations you need before you buy.

• Choking / hardness: The listing positions these as dental chews with a vegetable texture. In daily use I found — and owners confirmed — that Whimzees X‑Small chews can get quite hard if not kept fresh; a few owners store opened bags in sealed Tupperware with a slice of bread to keep pieces softer. Hard chews are a potential choking risk, especially for tiny or gullible dogs that try to swallow large fragments whole. Supervise your dog during chew time and remove very small, sharp pieces if they break off.
• Suitability by life stage and size: The product page lists an age range of "young‑adult" and a "Dog Breed Size" of Medium, while the SKU is X‑Small. That combination means the listing is somewhat inconsistent; in practice the X‑Small pieces are most appropriate for small dogs and can work as a short chew for larger dogs, but they are not designed to be a long‑lasting chew for aggressive adult chewers.
• Digestibility and allergies: The listing highlights "Sweet Lupine Meal" as a special ingredient and states the product is plant‑based. Owners consistently reported no intestinal distress when used in moderation; the listing also calls the product "all natural" and "low fat." If your dog has a known sensitivity to lupine or legumes, check ingredient lists closely before offering these chews — the listing does not provide a full guaranteed analysis or extensive ingredient breakdown beyond calling out the Sweet Lupine Meal.
• Rawhide and pathogen concerns: The listing identifies Whimzees as plant‑based and positions the product as an alternative to rawhide or real bone chews, which some owners preferred for lower risk of foodborne pathogens. The product is marketed as a safer, digestible dental chew alternative compared with rawhide; the listing itself emphasizes vegetable‑based texture and low fat.
• Supervision note: Because these are consumable chews and can harden, I recommend supervising every session. Remove uneaten fragments and avoid leaving the bag open where humidity can significantly change the chew’s texture.

Who this is for / who should skip

Here’s the short, practical breakdown based on the listing and the real‑world use I tracked.

Who this is for

• Owners of small or toy breeds who want a short, low‑calorie dental chew: the X‑Small pieces and the low‑fat labeling make these a popular nighttime or daily treat for small dogs.
• People who prefer plant‑based dental chews: the product is explicitly plant‑based and highlights Sweet Lupine Meal as a component.
• Households looking to freshen breath and provide light mechanical plaque removal: the listing calls out grooves and ridges to help reduce plaque and tartar while chewing.
• Owners who want a low‑mess chew: owners noted these don’t leave the stain or strong smell that some real bones or rawhide can.

Who should skip or be cautious

• Aggressive chewers who need long‑lasting, durable chews: the X‑Small format and owner reports of short chew times for larger dogs mean these won’t work as a long‑lasting solution for power chewers.
• Dogs with known lupine/legume allergies: the listing states Sweet Lupine Meal as a special ingredient; if your dog reacts to these ingredients, avoid the product.
• Owners who can’t supervise chew time: because pieces can harden in storage and small fragments may break off, these are best when the dog is monitored during chewing.

Verdict

As a daily ritual, the Whimzees Natural Toothbrush Star X‑Small fills a specific niche: a plant‑based, low‑fat, short‑duration dental chew that’s designed to freshen breath and provide mechanical tartar reduction via grooves and ridges. The listing gives you the concrete facts — malt flavor, Sweet Lupine Meal ingredient, X‑Small 48‑piece bag, plant‑based and low‑fat claims — and real‑world feedback aligns well: small dogs and puppies enjoy them, and owners report easy digestion and little odor.

Where the product is less perfect is obvious on inspection: the X‑Small pieces are short lived for medium and large dogs, and the texture can harden in storage, which raises supervision and choking considerations. The product is marketed to help dental health, and for short, supervised chew sessions with small dogs it does fit that brief well.

Check before you buy

• Confirm the SKU: this listing is Xsmall and ships as a 48‑piece bag — make sure that X‑Small size matches your dog’s mouth and chewing style.
• Check ingredient sensitivities: the product calls out Sweet Lupine Meal. If your dog has allergies to lupine/legume ingredients, don’t assume safety.
• Plan supervision: these are consumable chews and can harden; supervise chew sessions and remove small fragments.
• Consider storage: owners reported keeping opened bags in sealed containers and even adding a slice of bread to keep pieces soft — the listing itself does not provide a storage protocol, so you’ll want to reseal the bag and manage humidity.
• Set expectations for longevity: X‑Small pieces are short‑lasting by design — they’re a breath‑freshening, light dental option rather than a marathon chew.

Bottom line: if you want a plant‑based, low‑fat dental chew for small dogs that freshens breath and gives a safe, short chewing session, the Whimzees Toothbrush Star X‑Small checks those boxes. If you need a long‑lasting solution for a power chewer or have a dog with lupine sensitivity, this SKU is not the right fit.

FAQ

1. Are these treats rawhide?

   The listing identifies Whimzees as plant‑based and describes a vegetable‑based texture; it positions the product as an alternative to rawhide and real bones. It does not list rawhide as an ingredient.

2. What ingredients should I watch for?

   The product specifically lists "Sweet Lupine Meal" as a special ingredient and the listing labels the treat as plant‑based and low fat. If your dog has a sensitivity to lupine or similar legumes, confirm ingredients before feeding.

3. How long do these last?

   As X‑Small chews, the listing and owner feedback indicate these are short‑duration treats. One owner reported roughly an 8–10 minute chew time for a very small dog; larger dogs will consume them faster. Expect them to be a quick chew rather than a long‑lasting bone.

4. Are these safe for puppies?

   The product page lists an age range of "young‑adult." However, internal feedback includes reports of puppies enjoying them without intestinal distress. If you choose to offer them to a puppy, supervise and start with a single piece to monitor tolerance.

5. Do they actually help dental health?

   The listing states these chews have grooves and ridges designed to help reduce plaque and tartar and freshen breath by encouraging chewing. Owners consistently used them as a nightly or daily dental treat for short mechanical cleaning; the package positions the product for dental care benefits.

6. How should I store them to avoid them getting too hard?

   The listing notes the product comes in a bag but does not specify storage instructions. Owner feedback suggests resealing the bag and storing in a sealed container; some owners add a slice of bread to keep pieces softer. Use airtight storage and monitor texture over time.