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(Last Updated On: )Just as it is important for you to maintain your dental health, so too it is vital that you look after your dog’s dental health. Trips to the dentist can be costly for humans, and even more so for your furry friend. If you spend just a few minutes each day looking after your dog’s teeth, your pooch will have stronger teeth, healthy gums and fresher breath.
There are many chew toys and treats on the market that help with build up of tartar, and those are a great addition to your pet’s dental health regime. Those items are great, but they are not a substitute for everyday brushing. As a human, you can’t get away with popping a breath mint or eating an apple and expecting those items to replace the advantage of brushing your teeth every day. The same goes with your dog, there is no substitute for everyday brushing.
There are 1440 minutes in a day, and it takes less than 5 of those minutes to brush your dog’s teeth. Those 5 minutes each day will save you money in the long run and will help keep your pet from suffering dental problems. Bad oral hygiene will cause the buildup of plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth, and this can lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can cause tooth decay and gum disease and carry bacteria into your dog’s bloodstream.
It is important to note that you should NEVER use human toothpaste on your dog. Many human toothpastes contains xylitol, a sweetener, which is a toxic substance to dogs. Xylitol can cause blood sugar level drops in dogs and potential liver damage. The best dog toothpaste is the Sentry Petrodex Toothpaste that is an enzyme formula that helps to control plaque and prevent tartar formation.
Table of Contents
Best Toothpaste For Dogs
| Dog Toothpaste | Flavors | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Sentry Petrodex | Poultry | 6.2 oz |
| Arm & Hammer | Chicken, Beef, Vanilla | 2.5 oz |
| Petsmile Professional | London Broil | 4.5 oz |
| KISSABLE | Vanilla and Tea Tree | 2.5 oz |
| Virbac C.E.T. | Beef, Malt, Vanilla, Seafood, Poutry | 2.5 oz |
Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste
By far the most popular dog toothpaste is the Sentry Petrodex, which is an enzymatic toothpaste developed to help tackle plaque, tartar, and bad breath. It is a poultry flavored toothpaste that your dog will enjoy. It is also made in the US, which has much stricter procedures and testing compared to other dog toothpastes.
The Sentry Petrodex dog toothpaste uses patented enzymes with a non-foaming formula that is designed primarily for dogs. With regular use of this toothpaste, tartar, plaque, and bad breath will be a thing of the past.
Overall, it is the best dog toothpaste for the money and ensures that your dog has the best dental hygiene without breaking the bank.
Arm & Hammer Dog Toothpaste
Arm & Hammer is a reputable brand in the dog dental care industry and they offer three different kinds of toothpaste. They are suited to certain aspects of dental care, white include tartar control, gum health, and fresh breath.
It is a natural dog toothpaste that leaves a fresh and pleasant scent breath and has a vanilla, chicken, and beef flavor that all dogs will enjoy. Arm & Hammer have been in the dog dental care industry for over 100 years and it’s a dog toothpaste you can trust.
Overall, it is a cheap dog toothpaste that performs as well as the premium alternatives at reducing the chances of dental diseases.
Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste
Petsmile is a premium dog toothpaste designed for professionals and its the only toothpaste that has been awarded by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Therefore, if you were to take your dog to the vet, they would more than likely be using this dog toothpaste but charging you the extra.
You don’t even require a toothbrush to use this toothpaste as you only need to swipe around your dog’s teeth with your finger. When used just 2 to 3 times a week, you can prevent your dog from suffering from plaque, bacteria, bad breath, and more. It is also proven to whiten teeth with the added benefit of tasting great with a London Broil flavor that tastes just like a treat.
Unlike many of the cheaper dog toothpastes, the Petsmile contains no fluoride, parabens, silica, sulfates or dyes.
Overall, it is the best dog toothpaste but has one major drawback, which is the high price tag. However, paying the extra for this toothpaste comes with many additional benefits and you can save money without the need of buying a dog toothbrush.
KISSABLE Dog Toothpaste
KISSABLE is an all-natural tartar control dog toothpaste that promotes healthy gums and is made with vanilla and tea tree oil, which has anti-fungal properties, keeping them free from bacteria. It is also safe to swallow and requires no rinsing, which makes cleaning your dog’s teeth much easier.
It is safe for all dogs and puppies without raising the dog’s glycemic index, which many of the cheap dog toothpaste alternatives may increase.
Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste For Dogs
Another enzymatic dog toothpaste is the Virbac C.E.T, which comes in a range of flavors to suit your dog’s preference. These flavors include vanilla, beef, seafood, poultry, and malt.
Virbac is one of the top dental brands recommended by veterinary professionals. It is also made in the United States.
There are no foaming agents or fluoride, so the Virbac toothpaste can be safely swallowed by your pet.
Dog Toothpaste Buying Guide
Keeping your dog’s mouth clean is an important part of their overall health. Just like humans, dogs can experience cavities and other dental problems if they don’t maintain good dental hygiene.
Here’s what to look for when shopping for toothpaste for your dog.
Flavor
The biggest struggle you’ll likely encounter when trying to brush your dog’s teeth is getting them to let you put the toothpaste in their mouth in the first place. The flavor and scent of the toothpaste makes a big difference in whether or not they’ll let you use the toothpaste.
Many dog toothpastes use a beef flavor, which is usually quite effective for dogs. A few toothpastes come with a minty flavor, which is appealing to humans but not so appealing to dogs. Ideally, you should look for something with a mild enough flavor, but meaty enough that your dog will still enjoy it.
Cleaning Mechanism and Ingredients
The next thing to look at when shopping for a dog toothpaste is the ingredients it uses to clean your dog’s teeth. The formula will determine how effective the product will be in producing clean, sparkling results.
For example, some products use a baking soda, which will do a gentle clean but won’t remove plaque buildup or prevent future damage.
Other toothpastes are a bit more heavy-duty and will essentially create a protective layer to kill harmful bacteria in the mouth. If you’re looking for a truly tough, preventative toothpaste, look for the word ‘enzymatic’ on the label. These toothpastes are incredibly strong and are designed to actually break down plaque to prevent it from sticking to the teeth in the first place.
This means you’ll spend less time, in the long run, brushing your dog’s teeth. Each toothpaste is a little different, so be sure to read the label before deciding which one will be most effective for your pet.
Product Size
When making your purchase, look to see how many fluid ounces of toothpaste you’ll be getting in the package. Some high-quality toothpastes only come with a small amount, which isn’t as much value for your money. If your dog has a large mouth or you want to brush frequently, that won’t get you too far.
Ideally, you should look for a balance of quality and quantity when doing your shopping. You may want to break down the cost per fluid ounce of toothpaste to get an idea of how much you’re actually getting.
Additional Toothbrush
Some toothpastes come with a toothbrush included, which is a great deal for anyone who’s just starting to brush their dog’s teeth. While this isn’t essential, you may want to consider toothpastes that come with a toothbrush if this is the first time you’re purchasing this product. These toothpastes are often made of high-quality material as well, and are durable enough to handle your dog chewing on them and other general wear and tear that they might take.
Vet Recommended
Your vet knows best when it comes to your dog, so it may be helpful to ask them what type of toothpaste they’d recommend for your pup. They can help explain to you what would be the best given your dog’s personal dental needs, and they may even have samples on hand for you to try. They can also help recommend brands to avoid if necessary. Many brands will have recommendations from vets or veterinary associations on the bottle. If these are coming from legitimate organizations, this may also be a good indicator that it is a quality toothpaste for your dog.
Ease of Use
Getting a dog to let you apply toothpaste can sometimes be challenging, so it’s helpful if there are multiple ways you can use the toothpaste to clean your dog’s teeth. For example, some toothpastes can be applied to the dog’s teeth using your fingers, or can even be applied to one of their favorite chew toys. This is because the toothpaste contains enzymes to break down the bacteria in the mouth, so it’s still effective without being applied directly to the teeth. These unique options for application make it much easier to clean your dog’s chompers.
There are a few more important things to note about brushing your dog’s teeth. The first is that you should never use human toothpaste on a dog because it contains xylitol and fluoride, which is very dangerous for dogs. You should always use a toothpaste that is designed specifically for your animal.
It’s also important that you take your dog to the vet regularly so that they can have a dental checkup, among other things. Your vet can help you prevent swollen gums in your animal, which is a common cause of bad breath and can lead to gingivitis or other oral diseases.
Don’t skimp on brushing your dog’s teeth – it’ll make both you and your pup happier in the long run. A good toothpaste is an important tool for maintaining your dog’s overall health and wellness. Just be sure to look for quality ingredients to make sure you’re getting the best value.
Conclusion
Dog toothpaste serves an important purpose to ensure your dog’s teeth and gums are healthy. Dental care can be achieved with chews, sprays, and other products but using a toothpaste is one of the most effective methods of ensuring maximum dental hygiene.
All of our recommendations within this article ensure your dog’s teeth are clear of tartar build-up, bad breath, plaque, and other more. Dental problems are easily avoidable with simple and inexpensive methods such as using high-quality dog toothpaste.
Ian is an avid outdoorsman and dog lover. He lives in Central Florida with his wife Heather, and their 2 dogs – Panda (Purebread Rough Collie X English Golden Retriever) & Kuma (Blue Merl Purebread Rough Collie)
