Little did I know when I started looking for the best dog toothpaste that it would send me on days of researching. With so many options, finding the best was not an easy task.
From all-natural to organic to vet-recommended… it’s hard to know which toothpaste is the best for our dogs. So I decided to perform a 6-week test on the most popular doggy toothpaste brands.
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After a 6-week test, my top pick is RADIUS for its organic ingredients and effectiveness. The runner-up is Sentry Petrodex after making the most noticeable change in my dog’s teeth.
Watch my YouTube video for the full breakdown and to find the best option for your pup!
Ingredients to avoid in your dog’s toothpaste
Before we dig into the details of each toothpaste brand, let’s learn which ingredients we should avoid.
When you have a dog with allergies, like our pup Ginger, reading labels is a requirement. But everyone should be aware of what their dogs are consuming.
According to Dogs Naturally Magazine, these are the ingredients you should AVOID in your dog’s toothpaste:
- Artificial sweeteners like dextrose, sodium saccharin, and sorbitol
- Alcohol
- Artificial colors
- Artificial flavors
- Phosphoric acid
- Potassium thiocyanate
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Triclosan
Unfortunately, some of the most popular dog toothpaste brands have one or two of these ingredients. I have highlighted them in RED below.
What ingredients to look for in a toothpaste
With the help of Dr. Maureen K. Murithi (a remote veterinary consultant for DoggieDesigner.com), here are three ingredients your dog’s toothpaste SHOULD include:
Silica has abrasive properties which help to scrape off the tartar from dogs’ teeth. Moreover, the tiny particles do not traumatize or injure the dog’s delicate gums as they polish the teeth.
Enzymes such as glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase help to oxidize bacteria in the mouth which helps to keep microorganisms at a bare minimum. Glucose oxidase helps to reduce bacterial growth and consequently tartar build-up while lactoperoxidase acts synergistically to prevent the growth of bacteria in the mouth keeping it at a minimum.
Emulsifiers such as tetra potassium phosphate help to break down tartar during brushing.
I have highlighted these ingredients in GREEN in the below recommendations.
The best dog toothpaste put to the test…
Let’s dig into the best dog toothpaste. I have tested all of these toothpastes with each of my dogs, so the before and after photos are ACTUAL results of my dog’s teeth.
#1 TOP PICK
Enzymatic toothpaste for dogs
Sentry Petrodex Advanced Dental Care Kit for Adult Dogs
Ingredients: Sorbitol, Dicalcium Phosphate, Water, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Poultry Digest, Dextrose, Xanthan Gum, Acidified Calcium Sulfate, Disodium Phosphate Duohydrate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract.
I started brushing our yellow lab’s teeth (left side only) with this toothpaste and toothbrush on July 20th. The after photos were taken 6 weeks later, on August 31.
We brushed almost daily, missing a few days here and there. This was the most impressive before/after out of the four toothpastes we tested.
I love the 360° toothbrush, although I think it would be too large for smaller dogs.
Even though his teeth still have a lot of tartar, it shows signs of reducing the yellowing. This is only 6 weeks of brushing, so I am optimistic that it will continue to improve as we brush every day.
Virbac dog toothpaste
Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog & Cat Vanilla-Mint Flavor Toothpaste
Ingredients: Sorbitol, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, purified water, hydrated silica, glycerin, dextrose, xanthan gum, vanillin, titanium dioxide, sodium benzoate, methyl salicylate, potassium thiocyanate, glucose oxidase (aspergillus niger), and lactoperoxidase.
I started brushing Ginger’s teeth (left side only) with this toothpaste and toothbrush on July 20th.The after photos were taken 6 weeks later, on August 31.
The before pictures turned out a little blurry, and she doesn’t have much tartar buildup, so it’s difficult to say 100%, but her teeth do look slightly better. We brushed almost daily, missing a few days here and there.
I choseVirbac C.E.T. toothpaste for Ginger because of her allergies, and this toothpaste has no protein that I have to worry about.
Dog toothpaste without Sorbitol
The difference between glycerin and sorbitol is that glycerin is (an organic compound) while sorbitol is (organic chemistry) a sugar alcohol.
Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste
Ingredients: Glycerin, Aloe, Pectin, Neem Oil, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), Glucose, Oxidase (Enzymes), and Natural Flavors.
A Rescue Dogs 101 community member helped us out with testing the Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste with her dog, Ray. Below are his before and after photos.
Ray’s teeth were in good condition even before starting the trial. Ray’s mom noted the biggest difference in her testing was the dog’s breath got noticeably better with consistent brushing.
Best organic dog toothpaste
RADIUS USDA Organic Canine Pet Toothpaste
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin*, Guar Gum*, Sweet Potato Powder*, Rice Powder*, Sunflower Seed Oil*, Lecithin, Coconut Oil*, Papaya Fruit Extract*, Olive Leaf Extract*, Fennel Seed Extract*, Laminaria Digitata Extract*, Cinnamon Powder*, Sodium Chloride, Peppermint Indian Leaf Oil*, Clove Bud Flower Oil*, Thyme Leaf Oil*, Stevia Rebaudiana Extract Powder*, Citric Acid, Xanthan gum.
I started brushing Ginger’s teeth (right side only) with this toothpaste on July 20th.The after photos were taken 6 weeks later, on August 31.
Again, Ginger’s teeth don’t have a lot of tartar, but I think her teeth look slightly better. We brushed almost daily, missing only a few days here and there.
I love thisRADIUS Organic Canine Toothpaste Kit. The fact that it’s organic and I can read every single ingredient is a huge bonus. And the toothbrush is the perfect size for a small to medium dog, plus it comes with a nice storage case.
Vet recommended dog toothpaste
Petsmile Professional London Broil Flavor Pet Toothpaste
Ingredients: Carbopol 934P, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Phosphoric Acid, Cetylpyridinium Chloride.
Another Rescue Dogs 101 community member helped us out with testing the PetSmile Pet Toothpaste with her dog, Lana. Below are her before and after photos.
Lana’s teeth showed very little signs of tartar buildup before starting the trial. Lana’s mom noted the biggest difference in her testing was the dog’s breath got noticeably better with consistent brushing.
If you want to make a DIY dog toothpaste, most recipes include baking soda, and according to the VCA hospital, that could be dangerous too. But in my research, as long as you keep the backing soda to a minimum, it should be okay.
Always talk with your veterinarian if you are concerned for your dog’s health.
Natural DIY dog toothpaste
Here is an all-natural recipe provided by Dr. Maureen K. Murithi:
- Coconut oil (1/4 cup)
- Baking soda (3 tablespoons)
- Fine sea salt (1/2 teaspoon)
- Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon)
Additives such as parsley or mint leaves may be added for fresher breath (use a food processor). Chicken/beef/vegetable bullion (1/2 teaspoon) can also be added for additional flavor for easier uptake.
There is some controversy about using baking soda in your dog’s toothpaste. But using a small amount has been proven to be safe. Dr. Michelle Burch (Safe Hounds Pet Insurance) would like you to be aware that baking soda can change the mouth’s pH, and possibly cause gastrointestinal upset.
How often should you brush your dog’s teeth?
Now that you’ve chosen the best toothpaste for your dog, let’s go over some important details.
According to the VCA Hospital website, we should be brushing our dog’s teeth daily. Brushing three times a week is the minimum recommendation to help remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation.
My best intentions are to brush my dog’s teeth once a day, every day. Then life gets busy and I miss a few days, which is one reason I decided to use other methods to clean my dog’s teeth without having to brush them every day.
How to clean dog teeth without brushing
The amount of products on the market that target those who don’t or can’t brush their dog’s teeth is even more overwhelming than the kinds of toothpaste!
Here are the things I do for my dog’s oral health:
- Food additives
- Water additives
- Raw meaty bones
- Dental chews
- Dental checkups and cleanings when advised by your vet
The best dental water additive for dogs
According to Dr. Maureen K. Murithi, “Water additives should NOT be a substitute for teeth brushing. However, they offer additional benefits such as fresher breath, reduced bacterial growth, fighting plaque and preventing tartar build-up.”
You can make a homemade dog water additive with a few drops of food-grade peppermint oil or Apple Cider Vinegar.
The best water additives for dogs I found are:
- PetLab Co. Dental Formula
- VETRADENT Dog & Cat Dental Water Additive
- PetHonesty Oral Hygiene Dog Dental Water Additive
- Oxyfresh Dog & Cat Oral Hygiene Solution
The best dental chews for dogs
Dental chews are by far the easiest, most enjoyable oral care for your dog. They get a special treat while cleaning their teeth and you don’t have to do anything but hand them the dental chew.
But make sure to read the ingredient labels for any dental chew you choose. Some of the big brands have so many ingredients I can’t even pronounce! Stay clear of any color additives, I’m looking at you Pedigree Dentastix. Shame on you for adding Red 40, Blue 2, Yellow 5!
I haven’t found a dental chew my dogs don’t like. But I like to stick with the limited-ingredient dental chews. Hands down, our favorite dental chews are WHIMZEES. These are perfect for our “allergic to everything” dog.
Ingredients: Potato Starch, Glycerin, Powdered Cellulose, Lecithin, Dried Yeast, Malt Extract, Sweet Lupin Meal, Alfalfa Extract, Paprika Extract.
We also like to treat the dogs with braided bully sticks. The Best Bully Sticks brand is great, one ingredient and the dogs go crazy for them. The braids are more expensive, but last longer than regular bully sticks.
Raw meaty bones are probably the best option for dental chews, but finding the right bone that won’t break your dog’s teeth can be challenging.
The best dog toothbrush
Now that you hopefully have chosen the best toothpaste for your dog, you need a good toothbrush to brush his teeth with.
It’s important to match the size of your dog and the size of the toothbrush. For a small dog, you may want to use a finger toothbrush, a baby toothbrush, or even a simple strip of gauze.
Make sure to clean the toothbrush after each use. It is also recommended for each dog to have their own toothbrush so as not to spread any infections from one dog to the other.
Toothbrushes should be replaced every 6 months at the very least. Get a new toothbrush for your dog as soon as you notice any bristols getting worn out or loose.
Sentry Petrodex Advanced Dental Care Dual Ended 360 Toothbrush for Dogs
With the 360° brush it’s easy to get all around the teeth. I found when brushing my dog’s teeth, it was brushing the bottom and top canines at the same time which is a great time saver. This toothbrush is best for large dogs.
Some reviews complain about the red tip of the brush falling off. I tried to pull ours off and can’t. So I recommend checking your brush each time before using it on your dog.
Petsmile Professional Pet Toothbrush
With the long handle and two-sized brushes, it is versatile for small and big dogs. It’s a little more expensive than some other dog toothbrushes, but the quality is worth a little extra cash.
Best dog toothbrush kit
If you prefer a kit instead of buying the toothpaste and brush separately, then these two dog toothbrush kits are the best.
Sentry Petrodex Advanced Dental Care Kit for Adult Dogs
This is my top pick for the best dog toothpaste and toothbrush. See the before/after photos above.
I like this kit for our large (85 lb.) yellow lab, Bear. The brush is huge compared to others, which is great for his big teeth. The toothbrush has bristols all around which makes it easy to cover large canine teeth.
Even though this kit does supply a fingertip brush, the plastic is stiffer than I’d like. If you have a small dog, there is a small end of the toothbrush. But you may be better off finding a smaller toothbrush like the one included in the Radius Kit below.
RADIUS USDA Organic Dental Solutions Adult Kit Toothbrush & Toothpaste
The Radius Kit comes with a really nice plastic carrying case. I love the size of the toothbrush for our medium 55 lb. dog, Ginger. And the fact that this toothpaste is organic is a huge plus.
The toothpaste is perfect for dogs with food allergies. It contains no beef or chicken protein for flavoring that many others do. See the ingredient list along with the before/after photos above.
How to brush your dog’s teeth – the right way!
Dr. Michelle Burch (Safe Hounds Pet Insurance) tells us the proper way to brush your dog’s teeth.
“I recommend using proper technique when brushing your dog’s teeth to ensure all essential surfaces contact the toothbrush. Gently pull the upper lip of your dog upward, which will expose their tooth. Move the toothbrush in a back-and-forth motion while pressing the brush to the outer surface of the upper teeth and gum line. The bristles should remain below the gumline.
After brushing the upper teeth, then move to the lower teeth and use the same motion. Repeat for the opposite side of the mouth. Once the molars and pre-molars have been cleaned move on to the canines and incisors in the front of the mouth.”
Don’t forget to clean the toothbrush after each use.
Conclusion
You should be brushing your dog’s teeth every day, or at least every other day. This seems like a big undertaking, especially if you have multiple dogs like me. But it takes two minutes to brush their teeth.
And it could save your dog from bad breath, gum disease, and other health issues that come with bad oral care.
Choose a toothpaste that has limited ingredients and one that your dog likes the taste of. The size of the toothbrush matters… use a dog toothbrush that fits your dog’s mouth and that feels comfortable in your hand.
Adding a water additive and treating your dog with dental chews can step up your battle for clean teeth and fresh breath. But these should not be used by themselves. Multi-tear dental solutions will give you the best results.
Thanks for your thorough work! I hav ed been looking for scientific evidence of the efficacy of the enzymes and have found none.i called Virbac and they have not done any studies to prove they work.
I am hesitant to put antibacterial products in my dogs' mouth, as they would also kill good bacteria that make nitric oxide, an essential molecule for maintaining blood pressure and other important functions.
Also, the second ingredient in Vets Best is aloe vera, which is poisonous to dogs.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment and for sharing your concerns. The efficacy of enzymes in pet products can indeed be a point of contention. Without scientific studies from companies like Virbac to back up their claims, it’s understandable to be cautious.
Regarding the use of antibacterial products in your dog’s mouth, your hesitation is valid. Killing good bacteria that produce nitric oxide, which is crucial for maintaining blood pressure and other functions, can have unintended consequences.
As for your concern about aloe vera, it’s important to differentiate between the parts of the aloe plant. According to an article on Dogs Naturally Magazine, aloe vera products can be toxic to dogs if not used correctly. The aloe latex, found between the green leaf and the clear gel, contains aloin, which can cause skin issues in dogs with latex allergies and has laxative properties that can lead to diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance if ingested in large quantities. However, the clear gel part of the aloe plant can be beneficial for dogs when used properly. Ensuring that only the clear gel is used and avoiding the latex can help mitigate these risks.
You can read more about the safe use of aloe vera for dogs in this article.
Additionally, making your own dog toothpaste can be a great option. This way, you have full control over the ingredients and can avoid potential toxins and unwanted antibacterial agents. There are many simple and safe recipes available online that use natural ingredients to help keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy.
Thank you again for raising these important points, and I hope this information helps you make an informed decision for your dog’s health.
Thank you for doing this research. I look forward to seeing your results. I'm always reminding myself to do this but then chicken out. I must aim to do better!
Our vet suggested we consult VOHC for vet accepted (and lab tested) products. Many of your suggested products are there.
We use Vets Best tooth gel toothpaste and a finger brush. This is what we found works best. And I used it on myself first. Something to note…this will remove all tarter and buildup and whiten teeth, however, using too much will make teeth sensitive at gum line. Well, it did for me. Like I said, I tried it first before using it on our pups. They’ve never complained and actually get excited when I grab the tube and brush.