The Best Dog Toothpaste Picks for Clean Teeth and Healthy Gums

Caring for Your Dog
By Felicity Brienza

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Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Buying toothpaste is a regular item on your grocery list, but what about buying dog toothpaste? If the idea sounds absurd to you, you might want to do a little research. Periodontal disease is just as serious for pets as it is for people and, according to some estimates, it affects most dogs and cats by the time they reach three years of age.

Periodontal disease can lead to painful infections and tooth loss, so staying on top of your dog’s dental care is an important part of maintaining his health. If bacteria from tooth or gum disease goes untreated, it can enter your dog’s bloodstream causing serious kidney, liver and heart issues. Not to mention bad breath!

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As much as we love our dogs, it can be difficult to enjoy their slobbery kisses when their breath makes you want to pass out. Not sure how to brush your dog’s teeth? Check out this quick video and read on to find the best dog toothpaste for your pet’s teeth and taste buds, along with a handful of dental treats and related products that support your pet’s dental health. Happy brushing!

Rover’s Top Dog Toothpaste Picks

1. Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs

With a smooth texture and a poultry flavour dogs find irresistible, this dog toothpaste is the perfect product if you aren’t sure what type of toothpaste to start with. It features a patented enzymatic formula that reduces plaque and tartar build-up while freshening your dog’s breath. Plus, since the toothpaste doesn’t foam, there’s no need to rinse once you’re done brushing your dog’s teeth.

2. VetUK Enzymatic Toothpaste

VetUK Enzymatic Toothpaste has been developed to reduce tartar, remove plaque and reduce bad breath in both cats and dogs. It comes in a delicious meat flavour that your dog will love!

3. Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste

Virbac has specialised in animal dental health for 30 years, and their dog toothpaste formula boasts more enzymes than other brands to deliver an extra-deep clean and serious antibacterial action. From seafood to vanilla mint to beef, there’s bound to be a flavour your dog will love. Plus, it doesn’t contain any foaming agents, so it’s safe for your dog to swallow.

4. Vet’s Best Dental Gel & Toothbrush

Vet’s Best super-gentle formula dog toothpaste is made with all-natural aloe and grapefruit seed extract as well as baking soda and other dog-friendly ingredients to support oral hygiene. You only need to use it a few times a week to improve your dog’s dental health. And this kit comes with a toothbrush too!

5. Nylabone Advanced Oral Care and Tartar Control Toothpaste

Available in an array of flavours your dog will drool over (liver or peanut, anyone?), Nylabone Advanced Oral Care toothpaste is a quality offering that includes proprietary ingredients scientifically formulated to reduce plaque that harbours bacteria.

6. Arm & Hammer Advanced Care Dog Toothpaste

From the makers of the popular baking soda-based human toothpaste, this Arm & Hammer dog toothpaste fights tartar build-up with the natural power of baking soda. This package comes with a tube of breath-freshening enzymatic toothpaste, a finger brush, and a dog toothbrush so you have everything you need to support your dog’s dental health.

7. EZ Dog Pet Toothpaste

Featuring an all-natural formula and a delicious vanilla mint flavour, this dog toothpaste promotes healthy gums and prevents tartar build-up while freshening your dog’s breath. Made with gentle natural ingredients, this toothpaste is safe for all dogs and puppies. Plus, it’s non-foaming so there’s no need to rinse after brushing.

8. Nutri-Vet Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste

This enzymatic formula polishes your dog’s teeth and freshens his breath while preventing plaque and tartar formation for improved dental health. It comes in a non-foaming formula with an irresistible flavour designed specifically for dogs.

9. Tropiclean Fresh Breath Clean Teeth Gel

TropiClean natural clean teeth gel doesn’t require brushing. Simply squeeze a few drops into your dog’s mouth and his saliva will do the rest, coating his teeth with gel for a quick and easy clean. This natural dog toothpaste features non-caffeinated green tea extract, a natural ingredient that helps fight bacteria.

10. Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste

Recommended by vets, this toothpaste is highly regarded by professionals and can be used with a brush or applied with a finger for daily dental health maintenance.

Other Products to Support Your Dog’s Dental Health

Brushing your dog’s teeth is the best way to support their dental health, but there are other products that can help you keep your dog’s teeth clean between brushings. Here are some of our favourites:

1. Pedigree Dentastix Original Dog Treats

Available in several sizes for all dog breeds, these triple-action dog treats reduce tartar build-up, clean teeth and freshen breath as part of your dog’s daily oral care routine.

2. Virbac VeggieDent FR3SH Tartar Control Dog Chews

These plant-based chews help keep your dog’s dental health in check by reducing plaque and tartar, freshening breath and promoting a balanced digestive system.

3. Lily’s Kitchen Woofbrush Dental Chew

These daily dog chews will reduce tartar build up and freshens your dog’s breath. The all natural chews have a spongey texture to get right down to the gum line.

4. Greenies Dental Dog Treats

Awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Care (VOHC) seal of acceptance by the European Veterinary Dental Society (EVDS), your dog will love these dental dog treats . They reduce plaque and tartar while freshening your dog’s breath and they break down easily for safe and gentle digestion.

Next Steps

Picking out the right dog toothbrush and toothpaste is only half the battle–the more important task is to actually start using them. If you’ve never brushed your dog’s teeth before, you may need to start out slowly by first getting them used to having their teeth and gums touched. From there, you can use a little bit of toothpaste on your finger or start out brushing just a few teeth at a time. Check out our article: 3 Clever Ways to Stop Canine Plaque and Bad Breath (and Help Extend Your Dog’s Life), to find out more.

Keep in mind as well that some dogs are picky about the flavour or consistency of their toothpaste, so you may need to try more than one brand before you find the right fit. Thankfully, as we see here, there are plenty of dog toothpastes on the market and they’re fairly inexpensive.

Regular brushing will keep your dog’s smile clean and his breath fresh so you can enjoy his kisses, slobber and all, as often as he’s willing to give them!

Further Reading

Now you’ve got your dog’s teeth sorted, take a look at some more accessories for keeping your dog in tip shop shape.

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