best Dental Hygiene for dogs

Updated November 2020

Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?

Here at MDWT, you can trust that you’re getting the best information for your dog, because we’re dog owners ourselves. We carefully assess the best (and worst) dog products on the market, giving you a full breakdown of what’s out there so you as an owner can make informed choices when it comes to your dog.

Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?

Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste

Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs

BarkBox Bright Toothpaste & Toothbrush Chews Kit - D

Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste

Pet Republique Dog Toothbrush Series Cat and Dog Finger Toothbrush

Bottom Line

Vet-tested for over 30 years, this is an enzyme-based toothpaste designed to improve overall dental health.

One of the most popular options out there for a reason. Available in a variety of flavors.

Made with three enzymes that work in tandem to break down food debris, plaque, and tartar to reduce bad breath.

A well-reviewed toothpaste that uses only the highest-quality ingredients.

A toothbrush specifically designed for ease of use and the comfort of your dog.

Pros

Non-foaming for easy use with fussy dogs. Completely safe to be swallowed without upsetting their stomachs.

Non-foaming and does not require rinsing.

Excellent reviews across the board from our testers. Used in tandem with chew sticks so you don’t have to brush.

Sorbitol free.

Long-lasting, comes in an inexpensive pack of 6.

Cons

Contains Sorbitol, which some studies believe isn’t ideal for certain breeds.

A little bit on the expensive side. Maybe not be the best option for someone trying to spend not too much.

Costly. Requires you to buy both toothpaste and chew sticks.

Recommended application 4 times a week for best results.

Depending on your dog’s temperament they might dislike the experience or attempt to chew the brush.

Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste

Bottom Line

Vet-tested for over 30 years, this is an enzyme-based toothpaste designed to improve overall dental health.

Pros

Non-foaming for easy use with fussy dogs. Completely safe to be swallowed without upsetting their stomachs.

Cons

Contains Sorbitol, which some studies believe isn’t ideal for certain breeds.

Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs

Bottom Line

One of the most popular options out there for a reason. Available in a variety of flavors.

Pros

Non-foaming and does not require rinsing.

Cons

A little bit on the expensive side. Maybe not be the best option for someone trying to spend not too much.

BarkBox Bright Toothpaste & Toothbrush Chews Kit - D

Bottom Line

Made with three enzymes that work in tandem to break down food debris, plaque, and tartar to reduce bad breath.

Pros

Excellent reviews across the board from our testers. Used in tandem with chew sticks so you don’t have to brush.

Cons

Costly. Requires you to buy both toothpaste and chew sticks.

Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste

Bottom Line

A well-reviewed toothpaste that uses only the highest-quality ingredients.

Pros

Sorbitol free.

Cons

Recommended application 4 times a week for best results.

Pet Republique Dog Toothbrush Series Cat and Dog Finger Toothbrush

Bottom Line

A toothbrush specifically designed for ease of use and the comfort of your dog.

Pros

Long-lasting, comes in an inexpensive pack of 6.

Cons

Depending on your dog’s temperament they might dislike the experience or attempt to chew the brush.

How We Decided

We all know what a dog’s breath can smell like, which is why it’s important to maintain the foundations of their dental hygiene with dog toothpaste. We searched the internet to pour over thousands of reviews and sent select dog toothpaste to our team of dog-testers to see if they truly made the cut. Here’s the breakdown:

23

Models Considered

8

Hours Researched

1

Experts Interviewed

5

Consumer Consulted

The table of contents

Buying Guide

Key Considerations

Features

Prices

Tips

Other products

FAQ's

Buying Guide for the Best Dental Hygiene Products for Dogs

Like human toothpaste, a lot of it comes down to personal preference, and since your dog can’t tell you exactly what they like, this might require a bit of trial and error on your end. From our perspective, we looked for dog toothpaste that fulfilled veterinarian-recommended needs while being free of potentially harmful chemicals or additives. This is an especially important aspect since it’s hard to ensure that your dog won’t swallow even small amounts of toothpaste during brushing.

Buying Guide for the Best Dental Hygiene Products for Dogs

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Key Considerations

Among the things we considered when finding the five best dog toothpaste were the quality ingredients, special needs that were addressed (plaque, tartar, breath), and overall dog-friendliness.

Caution

Though hard to avoid, many dog toothpaste contains sorbitol, an additive that, while not explicitly bad for dogs (it’s used for human consumption often) can cause temporary gastrointestinal issues in certain breeds. If this is a concern for you, make sure to avoid products containing it, or that contain only trace amounts.

Dental Hygiene Products Features

When it comes to dog toothpaste there aren’t many ‘features’ per se that are on offer. Most toothpaste provides adequate cleaning and protection against common dental issues like plaque, tartar, and bad breath. Some owners with fussy dogs might be more inclined to select flavored varieties, while some may prefer organic options. Ultimately unless their vet-prescribed they will all serve the same basic functions, the rest is a personal preference.

Expert Tip

Treats are a great way to enforce specific behaviors and obedience around tooth brushing. We suggest introducing a new treat your dog has never had to the process so that in the future they positively associate it only with the act of getting their teeth brushed.

Dental Hygiene Products Prices

Dog toothpaste is never a high-ticket item, so expect to pay as little as $5 to as much as $15 for organic, high-end brands.

It’s important to compare ingredients to ensure you’re getting what you pay for since much like toothpaste for people, the bulk of the cost is reflected in marketing. In fact, it’s a dirty industry secret that most dog toothpaste is made by a few factories, with only slight changes to the formula or packaging.

Tips

To make sure you get the most out of your dog’s toothpaste, here are a few things to consider:

Use treats to enforce positive association with tooth brushing.

Start with small amounts of toothpaste, or consider using a treat like a peanut butter on the brush for the first few times to get them used to the experience.

other products we Considered

Aside from our picks, there is an abundance of choices that we couldn’t test. But here are other options that you might want to consider for your dog toothpaste.

Black Sheep Organic Toothpaste For Dogs: A high-quality toothpaste using only 100% organic ingredients.

David’s Premium Natural Toothpaste: Features all-natural, 100% organic, USDA certified ingredients.

FAQ's

How do I know what type of toothpaste to use?

When figuring out what toothpaste to use with your dog, it’s best to consult a vet during their next check up. They can give a real-time assessment of your dog’s needs and can likely recommend specific products to help with any issues unique to your dog.

How do I get my dog to keep from swallowing toothpaste?

Specially formulated edible toothpaste for dogs is readily available through various pet care brands. While it won’t harm your dog, if you want to keep them from swallowing too much toothpaste the best policy is to use it sparingly.

The Team That WOrked on This Review

Nitin Gupta

Chief Content Officer

JJ Resnick

Director of Growth

Erik Adler

Editorial Director