Tooth brushing is important right, well so is using a quality toothpaste. Most of the products sold in pet stores will do about as much to actually help clean your dogs teeth as lemon juice. They may be full of flavor and ok for getting a puppy accustomed to brushing, but are not good long term solutions.
| Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|
Winner
| Vet’s Best Enzymatic
| |
Runner Up
| Arm & Hammer Enzymatic
| |
Best Brushless Toothpaste
| Petsmile Professional Brushless
|
Dental disease is a serious problem for dogs. The American Veterinary Dental Society estimates that 80 percent of dogs suffer from some kind of gum or teeth disease by the time they are two or three years old.
Dental disease doesn’t just cause bad breath and ugly teeth. It can also cause pain, problems eating, and bone loss. Once the dental disease has progressed significantly, your veterinarian may recommend a dental cleaning under anesthesia to undo the damage.
You can prevent the need for an expensive dental cleaning and the risk of your pet undergoing anesthesia by sticking to a tooth cleaning regimen and ensuring that you use an effective toothpaste.
Regular brushing and a quality toothpaste is the best way to prevent dental disease
Regular tooth brushing along with a suitable toothpaste will prevent bad breath, keep teeth shiny and white, and prevent dental disease. The right toothpaste can make the difference between a successful tooth brushing routine and a fight with your pet every time you try to brush her teeth.
Make your own dog toothpaste
You can make your own dog toothpaste from baking soda, sea salt, coconut oil, and flavoring, like beef bouillon. Such a toothpaste is certainly more effective than nothing and, if you are on a budget or have a lot of canine mouths to clean, this might be the best solution for you.
If, however, you are looking for the absolute best toothpaste for your dog, here are the best the industry has to offer.
Product Reviews
Table Of Contents
What Makes A Good Dog Toothpaste?
The best dog toothpaste accomplishes the most cleaning with the least amount of effort from you and struggling from your dog. To accomplish this, a toothpaste must be powerful at dissolving plaque and tartar and also taste delicious to your dog. Furthermore, since your dog will be swallowing this toothpaste every day or several times a week, it is essential that the ingredients are completely safe for your dog to eat.
Enzymes
Enzymes can clean your dog’s mouth more effectively than abrasion or cleaning agents alone. Your dog’s toothpaste may contain several different enzymes, but they all work in the same way. In the presence of bacteria, enzymes convert into hydrogen peroxide and destroy the bacteria and tartar build-up. This chemical reaction can accomplish an incredible amount of cleaning without needing rough abrasion or scrubbing.
How to find the most suitable toothpaste for your dog
Not every toothpaste is perfect for every pooch. Just like us, our dogs have varied tastes and levels of tolerance. Your dog may or may not put up with having a toothbrush in her mouth. Some dogs are more willing to put up with a finger rubbed across the teeth and gums.
For some dogs, a toothpaste that is sufficiently tasty can overcome their aversion to having their teeth brushed. Other dogs will not tolerate having their teeth touched, no matter what kind of toothpaste you use. A toothpaste that is suitable for application on a tooth cleaning chew toy is more acceptable for these dogs.
You may find that you need to experiment with a range of flavors and consistencies to find the toothpaste that is best for you and your dog.
Warning: Never use human toothpaste for your dog, as it is toxic to them. Also note that many kinds of dog toothpaste are not safe for cats. If you would like to use the same toothpaste for your canine and feline friends, look for a product that is designed for both dogs and cats.
Product Reviews
#1 Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste:
Best For Older, Smaller Dogs And Everyday Use
- Size: 3.5 fl ounces
- Type: Gel
- Strength: Gentle enough for everyday use
- Flavor: All-natural
- Enzymatic: Yes
PROS:
- All-natural veterinarian formulated mix of aloe, neem oil, grapefruit seed extract, baking soda, and enzymes
- Most dogs love the all-natural flavor
- Convenient gel consistency
- Versatile formula can be used as breath freshener
- Gentle enough for everyday use
CONS:
- Some dogs don’t like the flavor
- Gel can be hard to squeeze out of the tube
This gentle toothpaste uses a veterinarian formulated mix of aloe, neem oil, grapefruit seed extract, baking soda, and enzymes, to soothe, clean, and freshen your dog’s teeth and mouth. It gently cleans away plaque and tartar, so that your dog will have fresher breath and healthier teeth and gums.
Most dogs love the all-natural flavor, which makes it much easier to get to their teeth. The gel consistency makes it easy for you to rub their teeth with your toothbrush or finger before your dog licks it away.
You can feel good about using this veterinarian-developed toothpaste that has been freshening breath and cleaning teeth for over 30 years. It is made in the United States with a blend of all-natural ingredients.
This versatile gel toothpaste is great for brushing or for letting your dog lick between brushings to freshen her breath after a particularly stinky meal.
Senior dogs or those with teeth conditions that need brushing every day will appreciate the great taste of this toothpaste. You will appreciate that these all-natural ingredients are safe to give your dog, every day.
#2 Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste:
Best For Picky Pooches
- Size: 2.5 fl ounces
- Type: Paste or gel depending on flavor
- Strength: Gentle enough for everyday use
- Flavor: Beef, Malt, Poultry, Vanilla-Mint, or Seafood
- Enzymatic: Yes
PROS:
- 5 great flavors to choose from
- Gentle but powerful enzymatic cleaning
- Free of foaming agents or fluoride and safe for your dog to swallow
CONS:
- Dogs tend not to like the vanilla-mint flavor
- May go through tube quickly when brushing larger dog’s teeth
This enzymatic toothpaste comes in a range of delicious flavors to tempt your dog. The enzymatic formula combines with gentle abrasive action to dissolve plaque and tartar naturally, without the need for rough abrasives or destructive acids.
This toothpaste’s formula inhibits the formation of plaque when used over time with its natural, antibacterial action. This means that it can prevent, as well as reverse damage to the teeth and gums.
You can feel good about buying from this company, which has been developing oral hygiene products for pets for more than 30 years. The formula is free of foaming agents or fluoride and is safe for your dog to swallow, even if you use it every day.
If you have a picky pooch, you are sure to find something to entice her among the many flavors of this toothpaste. You’ll love how quickly and effectively the enzymatic formula works.
#3 Arm & Hammer Enzymatic Toothpaste For Dogs:
Best For Large Dogs
- Size: 2.5 fl ounces
- Type: Gel
- Strength: Gentle enough for everyday use
- Flavor: Beef, Chicken, or Vanilla Ginger
- Enzymatic: Yes
PROS:
- Affordable, powerful enzymatic cleaner
- Thick, effective gel texture
- Stimulates gums and increases blood flow
- Gentle enough for everyday use
CONS:
- We wish there was a sweetener to make it more appealing to dogs
- Some people may find the smell of some flavors to be unpleasant
For over 100 years, Arm & Hammer has been a trusted brand for their wide range of cleaning and personal care products. This enzymatic toothpaste provides the same kind of gentle but powerful cleaning action for your dog.
Three delicious flavors are sure to entice your dog and provide variety in weekly cleanings. You’ll love the price tag, compared to some other brands.
This toothpaste is designed to eliminate bad breath, reduce the buildup of tartar, and whiten your dog’s teeth. Furthermore, it will soothe gums that have become sensitive and inflamed from lack of cleaning or stimulation. By stimulating gums and gently increasing blood flow, this toothpaste will make your pet’s gums become less sensitive and inflamed, over time.
With the scrubbing action and natural cleaning power of baking soda and its other enzymatic ingredients, this toothpaste gently cleans teeth and removes tartar buildup.
#4 Nylabone Advanced Oral Care:
Best For Difficult Dogs
- Size: 2.5 fl ounces
- Type: Gel
- Strength: Gentle enough for everyday use
- Flavor: Natural Peanut
- Enzymatic: No
PROS:
- Made with Denta-C, a scientifically-proven ingredient to reduce plaque
- Natural peanut flavor that dogs love
- Reduces plaque and tartar buildup with regular use
CONS:
- Not enzymatic, may not be as effective at removing plaque and tartar
- Peanut flavor will trigger allergies in people with peanut allergies
You may know of Nylabone because of their wide range of nylon chew toys, but they also make a range of other tooth care products, including this natural peanut butter toothpaste. This affordable toothpaste has a natural peanut flavor that your dog will love.
Whether you rub this toothpaste on your dog’s teeth and gums with your finger, use a toothbrush, or load the toothpaste onto a chew toy to encourage dental health, it is a very useful product to encourage dental health in your dog.
This toothpaste is made with Denta-C, a scientifically proven ingredient that reduces the plaque that encourages bacteria. Regular use will freshen your dog’s breath and leave her teeth and gums healthy.
#5 KISSABLE All-Natural Toothpaste For Dogs:
Best For Overweight or Diabetic Dogs
- Size: 2.5 fl ounces
- Type: Gel
- Strength: Gentle enough for everyday use
- Flavor: Cucumber Mint, Vanilla, None
- Enzymatic: No
PROS:
- All natural ingredients are safe for your dog to swallow every day
- Natural stevia tastes great without raising your dog’s glycemic index
- Made in the USA
CONS:
- Not enzymatic, not as effective at removing plaque and tartar buildup
- Due to being all natural, this toothpaste does not stay fresh for very long, once opened.
This gentle, safe toothpaste uses all-natural ingredients to clean your dog’s teeth and freshen her breath. Vanilla and tea tree oil have powerful antiseptic and antifungal properties that attack plaque and bacteria buildup in your dog’s mouth.
This toothpaste is completely safe to swallow, even with everyday use. It is a great product for any dog, from puppies to older dogs. All-natural stevia and vanilla make the toothpaste great tasting without affecting her glycemic index. This makes this toothpaste a great pick for dogs that may struggle with diabetes or obesity and who are picky about the taste of their toothpaste.
Since 2006, this company has been creating high-quality, natural dental products to satisfy the needs of pet owners who want natural products. You can feel good about buying from a company that makes its products in the United States.
#6 Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste:
Best Brushless Toothpaste
- Size: 3 fl ounces
- Type: Gel
- Strength: Designed for use 2 – 3 days a week
- Flavor: London Broil
- Enzymatic: No
PROS:
- Calprox, an active ingredient, is proven to safely and gently prevent plaque and fight bacteria, as well as decrease bad breath and whiten teeth.
- Safe, food-grade ingredients
- Contains no fluoride, parabens, silica, sulfates, or dyes
- Easy to use, just wipe around your dog’s gums and teeth
CONS:
- This toothpaste is not enzymatic or designed to be used with a brush, so it may not be as effective as other pastes
- Expensive, compared to some other dog toothpastes
This toothpaste is designed to be used without a toothbrush, so if your dog runs at the sight of a brush, this might be the right choice for you. It is the only toothpaste that has received an award by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.
You only have to use this toothpaste two to three times a week, in quick and convenient sessions, to reverse and prevent plaque damage. It couldn’t be easier to use this toothpaste. Just swipe it around your pet’s teeth with your finger. Your dog will love the London Broil flavor and will soon come running when it is time for her teeth cleaning session.
Calprox is a powerful ingredient that has been clinically proven to be safe and effective at gently fighting plaque and bacteria, decreasing bad breath, and whitening teeth. The other ingredients of this effective toothpaste are also safe and food grade. This toothpaste does not contain any fluoride, parabens, silica, sulfates, or dyes.
#7 Vets Preferred Advanced Enzymatic:
Another Good Enzymatic Option
- Size: 3 fl ounces
- Type: Liquid paste
- Strength: Safe for everyday use
- Flavor: Peanut butter
- Enzymatic: Yes
PROS:
- Designed for use by veterinarians
- Safe and effective for both dogs and cats
- Made in the USA and backed by a 100% money back guarantee
- Peanut butter flavor that most dogs and cats like
- Enzymatic formula contains an antibacterial ingredient that prevents plaque and tartar buildup
CONS:
- A number of dogs seem to dislike the flavor of this toothpaste
- Some people dislike the liquid texture
This safe and effective enzymatic toothpaste has an antibacterial ingredient that prevents tartar and plaque buildup. If you happen to also have a cat, you will appreciate that this formula is safe and effective for your feline friends.
You can feel good about buying this product, which is made in the United States and has been designed for use by veterinarians. It’s even backed by a 100 percent money back guarantee, in case you are not completely satisfied.
The tasty peanut butter flavor is sure to entice your dog or cat and they may even enjoy their dental cleaning. This formula is completely safe for your dog to swallow, even if used every day. The liquid paste texture is easy to get into difficult spots in your dog or cat’s mouth.