When it comes to gettin’ down n’ dirty with your dog’s dental care, most pups have more of a bone to pick with you over that bristle-stick you’re shoving in their mouth for brushing their teeth than they do with the tasty dog-safe toothpaste itself.
But not all doggy toothpastes are created equal when it comes to cleaning power! And that’s why we took a dive into this year’s top contenders. These dog toothpastes satisfy the expectations of both the two-legged and four-legged crowds!
Can Dogs Use Human Toothpaste?
We can share a lot of things with our pups, but unfortunately toothpaste is not one of them.
Not only does human toothpaste contain sudsing agents (the foaming action that makes us feel like we’re really getting a deep clean) that can be harmful when swallowed1, but some human toothpastes also contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that’s extremely toxic to dogs.
A toothpaste specifically made for dogs also typically uses flavors your pup will actually enjoy, like chicken, beef, or peanut butter. You’ll be hard pressed to find those flavors of human toothpaste in your grocery store anytime soon!
Related Article: Can I Use Baking Soda To Brush My Dog’s Teeth?
What Should I Look For In A Dog-Safe Toothpaste?
Try a dog-safe toothpaste flavor you think your dog will love. It’ll make the toothbrushing process a lot more enjoyable for both of you!
Ingredients To Avoid In Any Toothpaste For Dogs:
- Xylitol
- Fluoride
- Baking Soda
- Detergents
- Salt
Our Top Picks for Dog Toothpaste in 2023
When it comes to our furry friends, we want to make sure that they get the best. Our goal with toothpastes is to help keep their teeth strong, eliminate plaque and bad breath, limit the chance of periodontal disease, and ensure the best ingredients to help keep your dogs mouth happy and healthy. Here are some of our top picks for dog toothpastes in 2023.
1. Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog-Safe Toothpaste
Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog-Safe Toothpaste in poultry flavor is a favorite among pups and pet parents alike for its plaque-fighting dual-enzyme formula. This toothpaste is perfect for all life stages, and contains no foaming agents, so it’s safe if swallowed.
Although the poultry flavor is a clear winner according to the dogs themselves (who we can only assume typed out the reviews), Virbac C.E.T toothpaste also comes in additional flavors including Vanilla Mint, Seafood, and Malt. This product is made in the USA, but the source country for ingredients is kept confidential.
Average Star Rating: 4.7/5 stars (1,000+ reviews)
BUY HERE, $10.38 (2.5 oz) from Chewy
2. Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Dog-Safe Toothpaste
Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Dog-Safe Toothpaste in poultry flavor is a non-foaming enzymatic toothpaste best suited for adult dogs to help control plaque and tartar buildup. Many pet parents’ reviews rave that their pups love the flavor so much, they actually get excited to have their teeth brushed!
But if your dog happens to be more of a nut butter-lover, they offer a peanut butter flavor available as well. Most of the ingredients in Sentry Petrodox toothpaste are sourced from the USA, but it also sources ingredients from Austria, Malaysia, Japan, Israel, China and Canada.
Average Star Rating: 4.8/5 stars (700+ reviews)
BUY HERE, $7.99 (2.5 oz) from Chewy
3. Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Dog & Cat-Safe Toothpaste
Vetoquinol Enzadent Dog-Safe Toothpaste in poultry flavor uses a triple enzyme formula to help prevent dental disease and promote kisses that don’t reek. Vetoquinol’s non-foaming formula is safe if swallowed, and approved for both dogs and cats of adult age. Reviews boast about how much their pets love the poultry flavor (admittedly, they even have us questioning if some of our human friends got curious about the flavor too). This brand sources their ingredients from Canada.
Average Star Rating: 4.8/5 stars (250+ reviews)
BUY HERE, $9.49 (3.2 oz) from Chewy
4. Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste
Vet’s Best Dog Toothpaste is an antibacterial, anti-fungal enzymatic toothpaste that uses natural ingredients including aloe, neem oil, grapefruit seed extract, and baking soda to help fight plaque and tartar buildup. Vet’s Best formula is created with natural banana flavoring, and is a great budget-friendly toothpaste option for your pup. We do want to point out that the baking soda ingredient in this product may cause stomach upset in some dogs. Vet’s Best Dog Toothpaste is made in the USA.
Average Star Rating: 4.5/5 stars (200+ reviews)
BUY HERE, $5.39 (3.5 oz) from Chewy
5. BARK Bright Toothpaste and Dental Chew Kit For Dogs
BARK Bright’s Dental Kit includes a proprietary toothpaste that is designed to pair with specially-shaped dental chews. Each chew holds the toothpaste and, as your dog chews, the two help break down all that nasty plaque and bad-breath causing bacteria. That’s some out-of-this-world doggy dental cleaning power—all without a toothbrush! Plus, dogs can’t help but love the real chicken flavor. BARK Bright Dog Toothpaste and dental chews are made in the USA.
Average Star Rating: 4.4/5 stars (40+ reviews)
BUY HERE, $30/month from BARK Bright
BUY HERE, $30.49 (1.87 oz) from Target
6. RADIUS USDA Organic Canine Pet Toothpaste
Looking for an organic toothpaste option for your pup? Radius Organic Pet Toothpaste is a great choice. Although you might find a few comments about the toothpaste having a strong smell in the reviews, the vast majority are happy campers with pups who seem thrilled about the taste. Radius Organic Pet Toothpaste is also vegan, GMO-free, gluten-free, and is made in the USA by a woman-owned business. So for those who love a natural lifestyle for themselves and their pups, this toothpaste really checks off a lot of boxes!
Average Star Rating: 4/5 stars (40+ reviews)
BUY HERE, $13.99 from Grove
7. Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dog Toothpaste
This Nylabone Advanced Dog Toothpaste is specifically formulated for tartar control and helps fight bad-breath-causing bacteria. It has some tail-waggingly good reviews from pet parents, but we do want to note that the flavor of this formula does seem a bit ambiguous, as it’s described only as “flavor” in the ingredients. However, a peanut allergy warning for humans on its label indicates it’s most likely a peanut butter flavor. Nylabone Advanced Dog Toothpaste is made in the USA.
Average Star Rating: 4.5/5 stars (120+ reviews)
BUY HERE, $8.29 (2.5 oz) from Chewy
8. Arm & Hammer Fresh Breath Vanilla-Ginger Flavored Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste
Arm & Hammer human toothpaste is known for its use of baking soda to help fight bad breath germs, and their doggy toothpaste follows in those same footsteps. Arm & Hammer Fresh Breath Dog Toothpaste uses baking soda and enzymes to help break down plaque and bacteria in your pup’s mouth. Reviews from pet parents are happy about this toothpaste scent and how it leaves their pup’s breath kissably fresh. However, do keep in mind that baking soda can cause stomach upset in some dogs when swallowed. We also want to caution that Arm & Hammer Fresh Break Dog Toothpaste is made in China, which has had some notable issues in the past when it comes to health safety of pet products.
Average Star Rating: 4.5/5 stars (90+ reviews)
BUY HERE, $6.00 (2.5 oz) from Chewy
Sources:
1 Brooks, Wendy. “Dental Home Care for Dogs and Cats.” Veterinary Partner, 15 Feb. 2019, https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951515.
