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Best Toothpaste for Dogs 2024
Written by Ralph Jones
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 05/31/2024, edited: 06/04/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
If you’ve ever had a dog in your house, you’ll know that their breath isn’t necessarily the reason you fell in love with them in the first place. Like all of us, pups of all ages need to have their gnashers regularly brushed and cleaned.
If you don’t want to shell out for an expensive professional clean, and if you want to spare yourself the vet costs that will inevitably arise if your dog’s teeth decay or if your pup experiences problems such as cavities, the best thing to do is take care of it yourself by implementing a routine with a great toothbrush and an equally great dog toothpaste.
But dog toothpaste is a bit of a minefield, and you may not necessarily know where to start. Perhaps you’re reading this as a first-time pet parent. You may be asking yourself — what is the best toothpaste for dogs?
Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered right here, with our list of the very best toothpastes for dogs. As you’ll see, there are specific toothbrushes for specific needs and specific budgets. Hopefully this helps you pinpoint exactly what you need.
Overview
Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste for Cats and Dogs
If you’re a pup ‘n’ puss household — in other words, if you have a dog as well as a cat under your roof — this is the dog toothpaste the experts recommend for you.
A lot of other toothpastes are safe for both canines and cats but this is considered the holy grail by the American Kennel Club.
In other words, the enzymes in the toothpaste laser in on the bacteria specifically, doing their best to get rid of it — while keeping hold of the good bacteria — in a way that other toothpastes may struggle to.
Now — what does ‘enzymatic’ mean? Great question. An enzymatic toothpaste targets the build-up of bacteria in your dog’s mouth by using a dual enzyme approach.
Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Pet Toothpaste
Why Wag! loves Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste
- The chicken flavor is very likely to appeal to your dog (and cat)
- Helpfully, this package comes with a fingerbrush and a dual-ended toothbrush already supplied
- This is great at targeting canine stinky breath
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents have complained that the toothpaste has been too dry and difficult to get out of the tube once it arrived
- Some pet parent have complained that their pet fell ill after using the toothpaste
- The toothpaste contains sodium benzoate, which is a controversial ingredient that some believe you should avoid entirely
What pet parents say about Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste
“This is the only toothpaste that my dog, Monty, will use. He gets so excited to brush his teeth now. I’ve tried other chicken flavored toothpastes & mint gels, he refuses them & even gags when he smells them(he’s dramatic). He loves this one so much, that the last tuber had he stole & chewed up to get into it.”
“Been using Vetoquinol Enzadent over 10 years now for my furchildren. I like this toothpaste for the furkids, its the only poultry flavor toothpaste they like; it is a little pricey for a little tube but Chewy is at least good, you get a little savings when you do "autoship".
This makes my job easier brushing their teeth every other night. They have healthy teeth and gums, I do not need to bring them to the vet for teeth cleaning because I already put in the work, no gingivitis here.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy.
Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs
Coming in at the most affordable price of the bunch, this Petrodex toothpaste definitely needs to be on your radar if you’re on the hunt for dog toothpaste that won’t break the bank.
Its chicken flavor should appeal to most dogs, and it promises a ‘veterinary strength enzymatic formulation’ for a powerful clean.
Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste
Why Wag! loves Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste
- It is the cheapest good toothpaste out there — there doesn’t seem to be a noticeable drop in quality despite the noticeable drop in price
- This formula doesn’t produce any foam so there’s no need to rinse out your dog’s mouth after a brush
- Its chicken flavoring will be delicious for the majority of dogs
Considerations & concerns
- The thicker texture of this toothpaste could make it hard to brush efficiently
- A number of pet parents have reported their pups suffering from diarrhea after using the toothpaste
- Because this also contains sodium bicarbonate — baking soda — it may cause problems for your dog if it ingests too much regularly
What pet parents say about Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste
“I've struggled to brush my three dogs’ teeth since we got them. No toothpaste tasted good enough to make them excited about brushing. This toothpaste is a game changer. They literally come running as soon as I grab the tube! It's made our brushing experience an enjoyable one.
In just 6 days of once daily brushing I've noticed the smell of their breath improving and it seems to be breaking down the plaque on their teeth. 10 out of 10!”
“We've tried various brands of canine toothpaste, but the Sentry brand toothpaste is the only one Teddy quickly sits down for.”
“My dog loves it! She even opens her mouth so I can brush her teeth every evening. I started when she was a pup. Now after 4 years, she still has beautiful white teeth.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.Image sourced from Chewy.
Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste
There are plenty of contenders out there most of them are on this very list — but Vet’s Best may well be the best dog toothpaste for bad breath in dogs.
This aloe-based gel doesn’t smell of anything and is easy to use on your canine’s canines, helping eradicate any bad smells emerging from your dog’s mouth.
Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste
Why Wag! loves Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste
- Its formula has been developed by vets, who are the best placed people to weigh in on the problems that befall dogs’ teeth
- The tube is particularly easy to use, with its simple flip-top lid
- The aloe and the neem oil soothes your dog’s inflamed and irritated gums
Considerations & concerns
- This toothpaste contains sodium bicarbonate, otherwise known as baking soda. If ingested, baking soda can cause vomiting or other forms of irritation in the stomach, so it is often safest for pups to avoid it entirely
- Because dogs are at risk of suffering liver failure if they have any grapes, it’s a baffling choice to make this toothpaste grape-flavored — and if grapes aren’t used in the grape flavoring, what is being used?
What pet parents say about Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste
“I use this product every other day on my three dogs. When they see me take the tube out of the draw, they all sit and wait for their turn. Does a great job keeping their teeth clean- it saves me a fortune in vet bills!!”
“After trying a couple of different brands and flavors, my dogs really improved with using this particular brand of toothpaste. It really keeps plaque at bay and freshen their breath. I pair their brushings with snacks that help clean their teeth as well, such as duck feet or chicken feet.”
“At my last vet's visit with my Maltipoo, Bella, the doctor said she was seeing some tartar build up on a couple of her teeth. So, I ordered her this toothpaste to try, and Bella loves the taste and let's me brush her teeth! I bet my next visit will be a lot better for Bella! Thanks for a great product!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy.
Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste
This is a superlative toothpaste for your pup’s pearly whites. With the help of Calprox, Petsmile efficiently removes the bacteria from your dog’s teeth.
If you’re happy to spend $25 on your dog’s toothpaste, you may well be in a minority, and your dog is very fortunate.
But, for this outlay you’ll be buying one of the ONLY toothpaste for dogs which has been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. It’s clearly a premium product.
Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste
Why Wag! loves Petsmile Professional Toothpaste
- It comes in flavors like rotisserie chicken, London broil, and cheese
- Though it may taste like chicken, its ingredients are entirely vegan and cruelty-free
- You don’t even need to apply it with a toothbrush. Because the taste will be pleasant to your dog, you need only put this dog toothpaste on your pup’s chompers and your furry friend will happily move it around, cleaning its teeth in the process
Considerations & concerns
- It’s difficult to find fault with Petsmile but one obvious drawback is its price ($25 for 4.2 oz). Fans will say that it is entirely justified given the quality of the product but, nonetheless, it may simply prevent some people from being able to see this quality for themselves
- Some pet parents have commented on the texture of the toothpaste being too runny, especially after a little while
What pet parents say about Petsmile Professional Toothpaste
“This toothpaste is the absolute best for your dog. It’s the only VOHC approved toothpaste, so I believe it’s absolutely worth the money. Her teeth stay white and her breath isn’t as stinky with this toothpaste, can’t say the same for other doggy toothpastes we’ve tried in the past (and we’ve tried a lot).”
“I think this toothpaste is excellent. Note that it is a larger tube than the others so the increased cost is less than it appears. This is the only toothpaste that I'm aware of that has the stamp of approval from the veterinary dental association. I use the London Broil flavor and the Poodles like it just fine.”
“My dog loves this flavor [London broil], will not eat the cheese one. Since she's allergic to chicken, it's tough to find a toothpaste that'll work for her that she doesn't hate. But it's easy to apply and doesn't smell too bad.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.Image sourced from Chewy.
Oxyfresh Premium Dog Toothpaste
If flavors aren’t your thing, then we might have the perfect dog toothpaste for you: a flavorless dog toothpaste.
Like plenty of dog phenomena, dog toothpaste doesn’t always smell great — especially if it’s flavored with cheese, for example.
With Oxyfresh, no need to worry about that: you get as good a clean but without any of the off-putting smell you wouldn’t normally associate with toothpaste.
Oxyfresh Premium Dog Toothpaste
Why Wag! loves Oxyfresh Premium Dog Toothpaste
- This is an affordable product, competing on price with the other big players in the dog toothpaste game
- You can apply the paste without a toothbrush — though, as you will see, this does apply to pretty much all toothpaste for dogs
- You can also use it on cats’ teeth, if you’re someone who brushes their cat’s gnashers (good on you!)
Considerations & concerns
- Because there is no enticing waft of chicken here, your dog might not be excited enough to put this in its mouth
- The presence of sodium chlorite, which tastes like chlorine, has put some pet parents off. Although it’s best not to ingest much sodium chlorite, fussy dogs may not even want this on their teeth because of its chlorine smell
What pet parents say about Oxyfresh Premium Dog Toothpaste
“Really takes care of the stinky breath and I love that I can apply it with a paper towel and don't have to brush.”
“My dogs do not mind having their teeth cleaned with this gel at all. I squirt some of the Oxyfresh gel on a finger brush and massage it over both sides of their mouth. It completely neutralizes [the] odor, helps the red gums, and reduces plaque. Since it has no flavor, my pups are completely accepting of it. I have tried the (another brand) enzymatic poultry paste before with negative results.”
“We have purchased this product several times and it works great. I highly recommend it!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy.
FAQ
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