Every pet owner knows that a trip to the vet can sometimes put a dent in your wallet, so investing in an at-home cleaning alternative to reduce those bills can make a huge difference. Brushing your pup's teeth with a toothpaste that's specially formulated for dogs not only keeps their smile bright but can also improve digestion, prevent gum disease and banish bad breath.
Whether you require an enzymatic or organic dog toothpaste, and no matter if your pooch will prefer one flavoured with meat or mint, we've reviewed some of the best products available from family favourite brands like Logic and Virbac. All of our choices can be found on Amazon and eBay and we think they're the dog's... Well, you know the rest!
Quick List - Top Dog Toothpastes
Arm & Hammer
Thorough Cleaning Powered by Coconut Oil and Baking Soda
Charlie graduated from The Royal Veterinary College of London and is now working as a Veterinary Surgeon in a large chain of vets treating companion animals such as dogs, cats and small furries.
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Charlie graduated from The Royal Veterinary College of London and is now working as a Veterinary Surgeon in a large chain of vets treating companion animals such as dogs, cats and small furries.
If your pet is typically un-enthused by the prospect of tooth-brushing, a meaty flavoured toothpaste like beef, poultry or liver might be a tempting incentive to them. It won't leave your pet's breath smelling particularly delightful but it'll still work hard to discourage harmful bacteria in your doggo's mouth, reducing the risk of plaque, infections and tartar buildup.
On the other hand, if you're shopping for a dog toothpaste with the principal goal of freshening up your pup's breath, there are thankfully lots of fresh, minty flavoured pet toothpastes out there on the market.
Check out these delicious dog treats too if you're on the hunt for tempting flavours!
Getting a flavour your dog will enjoy is crucial. Your dog should enjoy the process and not be stressed during teeth brushing. If your dog enjoys the process it is proven that you are more likely to carry it out ― meaning the teeth get brushed more often.
It needs to be enjoyable for all involved and meaty toothpaste can lead to that. Always start with meat flavoured ones to encourage your dog to like teeth brushing, then you can trial minty dog-safe toothpaste to freshen the breath.
Fluoride and xylitol are two key ingredients that often appear in human toothpaste but that actually pose a risk to dogs' digestive systems. While humans spit out their toothpaste, dogs swallow tend to theirs ― so the ingredients need to be safe for your pet's sensitive stomach.
Fluoride can be useful in clearing away stains on human teeth but if a dog swallows too much, they may suffer from diarrhoea and could have long-term stomach problems. The natural sweetener xylitol, also common in human oral products, can actually be very toxic for dogs. As a result, the RSPCA urges pet owners to use animal-friendly toothpaste which doesn't contain either of these ingredients.
It is extremely important never to brush your dog's teeth with products aimed at humans since their digestive system is totally different and the ingredients that work for us can pose a real threat to dogs.
Fluoride can be toxic in high levels leading to gastrointestinal and renal disease. Another thing to note is that when humans brush their teeth they spit out the majority of the paste, however, our furry companions swallow most of it meaning they ingest higher levels.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in products such as toothpaste and chewing gum. It is highly toxic to dogs. It can cause seizures and liver damage. Always check the ingredients when using toothpaste on your dog and ensure it is pet friendly.
In order to polish those canine fangs up nicely, a dog toothpaste should include some sort of mild abrasive. Commonly spotted on ingredients lists is silica, or hydrated silica, which has tiny particles which scrub between plaque and the tooth it's attached to. Baking soda is also a natural alternative that will do the same job.
You may also see carbomer named on the back of your dog's toothpaste tube. This is a safe and certified ingredient, which works much like those named above to remove staining gently. It has, however, been noted that it can cause tummy troubles in animals if used frequently, so be vigilant and use it sparingly.
Calprox is another abrasive you'll see on our list, created by pet care brand Petsmile. Its primary ingredient is calcium peroxide, which aims to reduce staining and kill bacteria by dissolving the proteins that food debris sticks to. Peroxide may sound scary, but it will be safe in very small percentages approved by the pet food standards agency. It simply guarantees an even cleaner grin!
Mild abrasives can assist in cleaning power meaning you apply less pressure to the teeth to remove plaque; it acts like a polish a dentist would use at the end of a procedure. I would look at using these kinds of products sparingly rather than daily to avoid damaging the enamel on the teeth ― use a non-abrasive product in between uses.
To skip the chemicals and give your dog the very best, we suggest opting for toothpastes packed full of naturally derived ingredients ― the shorter the ingredients list, the better!
Try peppermint and sage oil, aloe vera, sweet potato or grapefruit seed extract. Each has its own cleansing and neutralising properties, just like how eating an apple can be great for making human teeth feel clean!
To ensure the best for your canine companion, you should opt for organically grown ingredients that haven't had harmful pesticides or growth chemicals used on them.
Natural products are a fantastic way to look after your pet. A lot of the cleaning actually comes from the brushing action itself so ensuring the product is safe for your pet is number one. Always ensure the product is safe to be ingested as more than likely your pooch will swallow a lot of the product in the process.
Most standard toothpastes contain abrasives to do the hard work and scrub away at stains, to improve the overall visual side of things in your pooch's mouth.
Enzymatic dog toothpastes are slightly different, in that they contain enzymes that actively improve the mouth's natural defenses by breaking down bacteria into smaller particles so it can be cleaned away more easily. This decreases the build-up of tartar and also reduces the intensity of unpleasant doggy breath.
We also recommend these dental chews to keep your dog's teeth in tip-top condition.
These kinds of products are fantastic. Like the enzymes in your washing powder, they act to break down bacteria. Some products also leave a protecting coating on the teeth to protect them for hours after brushing. Others change the composition of your dogs' saliva to make it less harmful to their teeth.
Don't worry if your dog gets nervous and doesn't like you prodding around their gums though! Consider the toothpastes on our list which can function just as effectively without the need for brushing. Their ingredients are designed to react with the acids in your dog's mouth to safely slough away bacteria and built-up plaque.
Need a recommendation? You can find our favourite toothbrushes for dogs here!
The brushing action will always be the best for removing plaque but when starting out brushing your dog's teeth build-up to a brush. Using an enzymatic cleaner like the ones mentioned above means you can apply it to your pet's teeth with your finger and it can still have fantastic results. They are particularly good for dogs who are scared or won't tolerate a toothbrush.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | RADIUS Organic Canine Oral Care Kit | ![]() | Intense Organic Cleaning That Tastes Like a Treat | |
2 | Dogslife Dental Care Kit | ![]() | Natural Toothpaste With a 360 Degree Brush Included | |
3 | Dorwest Roast Dinner Toothpaste | ![]() | The Only Roast Dinner that Actually Cleans Teeth! | |
4 | Arm & Hammer Fresh Spectrum Toothpaste for Adult Dogs | ![]() | Thorough Cleaning Powered by Coconut Oil and Baking Soda | |
5 | Logic Oral Hygiene Gel | ![]() | A Top-Selling Toothpaste With a Multi-Enzyme Cleaning Complex | |
6 | PetSol Oral Hygiene Toothpaste | ![]() | Minty Dog Toothpaste That's Suitable for Cats Too | |
7 | Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste | ![]() | A Trusted Formula for Removing Plaque Buildup | |
8 | Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste | ![]() | A Vet-Approved Formula That Safely Removes Stains | |
9 | Sentry Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs | ![]() | No Foam, No Rinsing ― Just Enzyme-Powered Cleaning | |
10 | TropiClean Oral Care Clean Teeth Gel | ![]() | A Cleaning Gel That Relies Primarily on Natural Ingredients |
We love this dog toothpaste because it has only four ingredients, all of which are naturally derived and organically grown. Though there is no official abrasive ingredient, this formula uses the acids and enzymes found in sweet potato to help cleanse your four-legged friend's teeth super gently.
Another bonus of this dental hygiene set is the large-handled brush that's included. The textured silicone bristles work to loosen hidden bits of plaque and tartar, while the handles grip ensures ease of control so your dog doesn't feel threatened while you brush. Affordable, easy to use and effective ― this is our clear winner!
If you want to ensure your pooch's pearly whites are cared for properly, opt for this natural toothpaste blend which comes with a handy brush. The triple-headed tool allows you to attack plaque from every angle, reducing the risk of inflammation, gum disease and infection.
We recommend this product because it contains naturally derived goodies such as grapefruit seed oil, peppermint and aloe vera, each of which has antibacterial or antioxidant properties. Plus, for dog owners who love to smooch their pet, the minty flavour is definitely preferable to more meaty options!
The best bit about this particular dog toothpaste has to be the fact it is billed as roast dinner flavoured. On closer inspection, you'll see it's just the combination of sage oil and natural liver flavouring that gives it that Sunday lunch charm, but reviewers say their pets absolutely love it! Sage oil also has antioxidant and antiseptic properties which is a definite bonus.
This paste doesn't foam up too much, so it won't be a strange sensation for fussy pups, and it freshens your pet's breath nicely while perking up neglected gums. Designed with the support of vets, you can rest assured that your pet is getting what they need with this tasty dental hygiene product.
Arm & Hammer are renowned for their highly effective toothpaste for humans and if they're good enough for us, who's to say they aren't a brilliant choice for your dog too? All Arm & Hammer products use baking soda as an abrasive, which is super effective at banishing stains.
Thanks to the inclusion of natural coconut oil and the fresh mint flavour, this enzymatic toothpaste works not only on gum health but also improves breath freshness. It doesn't come with a brush included though, or it would be even higher up our ranking!
This toothpaste is another which relies on the power of enzymes to get your dog's teeth gleaming and keep their gums in great condition.This tube comes with a fingertip brush for a proper clean, but can be used without too!
As well as the seven-enzyme blend used to thoroughly banish bacteria buildup, this toothpaste contains a foamy surfactant to ensure its active ingredients get into all the most hard-to-reach spots! Although the brand doesn't specify the flavour of this paste, online reviewers say that their pets find it palatable and are happy to use it.
This toothpaste is great because it actually has that classic minty flavour so it'll keep your dog's mouth feeling fresh. It contains no fluoride, just silica to help scrub away food debris and natural peppermint oil for blissful breath.
This product doesn't require a brush which is handy ― just let your pet lick a little dab off their paw and the ingredients will work their magic. It's totally safe for them to swallow too. Clean away stains and tartar while protecting gums with this tingly, budget-friendly paste that's suitable for dogs and cats alike.
This toothpaste uses the toughest ingredients to give your pet's pearly whites a seriously thorough clean. Virbac is the number one brand in the USA recommended by vets, so why shouldn't our canine pals in the UK enjoy it too?
Hydrated silica provides the abrasion, while a blend of enzymes works hard to accelerate the cleaning process. While this product is designed to be used with a soft-bristle brush, you'll need to shop for that separately. Available in poultry, beef, malt or seafood flavours, this paste is guaranteed to please your pup's tastebuds!
This toothpaste promises to remove stains and give your pooch a full-on mouth makeover. It uses Calprox, which is a trademark ingredient created by the Petsmile brand to dissolve the film that begins to build up on the surface of your dog's gnashers, leading to staining and plaque.
Approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, this product doesn't contain fluoride. Plus, the formula is both vegan and cruelty-free! It's even suitable for brushing your cat or kitten's teeth. However, it doesn't come with a brush and it's the most expensive toothpaste on our list due to it being made in the USA.
This popular poultry-flavoured toothpaste product is exceptionally effective because it doesn't require brushing or rinsing, since it's totally safe for your dog to swallow. It contains no fluoride, but instead uses abrasive silica to slough away bacteria buildup.
There are no specific plant derivatives or organic natural ingredients in this toothpaste. Instead, it uses a blend of enzymes to aid the breakdown of plaque and tartar which can ultimately lead to gum disease. While this toothpaste does not come with a brush included, many dog owners love it!
Try this dog toothpaste if you prefer products with mostly naturally derived ingredients. Flavoured with natural mint and green tea extracts, it uses carbomer to provide a deep clean with absolutely no brushing necessary. Take care though, as some pets display digestive irritation when using carbomer products over extended periods.
This simple gel works on plaque too, helping you to fight against gum disease. TropiClean claims that this toothpaste shows fantastic results in 30 days and online reviews seem to back up this bold statement, with plenty of Amazon customers citing visible improvements.
'Starting teeth brushing at a young age can really improve your dog's dental health in later life so start training now. Build up gradually from your finger to a brush and ensure it is fun for your dog and based around fun/treats.
If your dog is older and has heavy calculus (hardened dental plaque) and gingivitis (red gums around the teeth) it is likely your dog will need a scale and polish by a veterinary surgeon and then you can prevent future build-up by brushing once they are clean.'
No. 1: RADIUS|Organic Canine Oral Care Kit
No. 2: Dogslife |Dental Care Kit
No. 3: Dorwest|Roast Dinner Toothpaste
No. 4: Arm & Hammer|Fresh Spectrum Toothpaste for Adult Dogs
No. 5: Logic|Oral Hygiene Gel
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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