Just like humans, proper dental hygiene is essential for your pooch to avoid tooth decay and bad breath. A lot of pet parents neglect this simple but important ritual, thinking their dog’s dry kibble is enough to keep their dog’s teeth clean. While kibble can help remove plaque, it certainly won’t help with the stuck food that can lead to tooth decay and bad breath, and a more proactive approach is needed.
This is where dog toothbrushes come in. Most dogs will not enjoy having their pearly whites brushed — not at first anyway — and beginning the process early on and using the right toothbrush will go a long way in making the process infinitely easier. Normal toothbrushes are typically too big, too hard, or too difficult to use, and a purpose-made doggie toothbrush is the best option.
We scoured the web for the best dog toothbrushes available and narrowed them down to 10 of our favorites, complete with in-depth reviews. If you’re looking for a toothbrush for your pooch, read on below for our favorite choices!
A Quick Glance at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Virbac C.E.T. Dual-Ended Dog & Cat Toothbrush
Tapered ends
Dual-ended design
Reverse-angled heads
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Best Value
TropiClean Fresh Breath Tripleflex Dog Toothbrush
Soft finger grip
Triple-sided design
Makes brushing faster
Check Price
Premium Choice
Petsmile Professional Pet Toothbrush
BPA-free bristles
Ergonomic handle
Patented 45-degree angled brush head
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Pet Republique Dog & Cat Dual-Head Toothbrush
3-pack
Long, narrow handle
Medium-textured bristles
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Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dog Finger Brush
BPA-free
Soft rubber bristles
Fast and easy to use
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The 10 Best Dog Toothbrushes
The Virbac C.E.T Dual-Ended Toothbrush is our favorite choice overall. This toothbrush has one larger brush head on one end, and a smaller head on the other end for those more sensitive, hard-to-reach areas. This makes it ideal for dog breeds of any size, with reverse angles to make brushing even easier. The brush has tapered ends with perfectly angled heads to reach any area of your dog’s mouth, with soft bristles that are gentle and easy on your dog’s gums but effective at removing plaque and debris.
Length: 7 inches
Weight: 0.32 ounces
Suitable for: All breeds
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While this toothbrush is our top choice, we do feel that the bristles are a little too soft, and they wear out after about a dozen or so uses.
Pros
Dual-ended design
Reverse-angled heads
Tapered ends
Ideal for all breeds
Cons
Bristles are a bit too soft
The TropiClean Fresh Breath Tripleflex Toothbrush is the best dog toothbrush for the money according to our research. The brush has a triple-sided design, giving your pooch a 360-degree clean that scrubs both the front and back of their teeth. This helps make brushing a lot faster, and the soft finger grip makes brushing accurate and comfortable for you too. Lastly, the brush is available in 2 sizes, making it suitable for all size breeds.
Dual-ended design
Reverse-angled heads
Tapered ends
Ideal for all breeds
- Dual-ended design
- Reverse-angled heads
- Tapered ends
- Ideal for all breeds
Bristles are a bit too soft
- Bristles are a bit too soft
Length: 7.5 inches
Weight: 0.8 ounces
Suitable for: Large or small breeds
While this toothbrush will make brushing quicker, the large head cannot clean hard-to-reach areas efficiently, especially in smaller dogs. Also, the bristles are a bit too hard for sensitive pooches.
Pros
Inexpensive
Triple-sided design
Makes brushing faster
Soft finger grip
Available in 2 sizes
Cons
Not very accurate
Not ideal for very small dogs
If you’re looking for a premium, professional option for your pooch, the Petsmile Professional Pet Toothbrush is a great choice. The brush head has a patented 45-degree angle that allows side and center bristles to polish teeth effectively while still getting to those hard-to-reach places. The dual-ends make it ideal for pooches of any size, and the ergonomic handle makes for a comfortable and accurate brush, plus is made with 5 rows of BPA-free bristles. The brush is made proudly in the USA, and the only downside is the comparatively high price.
Inexpensive
Triple-sided design
Makes brushing faster
Soft finger grip
Available in 2 sizes
- Inexpensive
- Triple-sided design
- Makes brushing faster
- Soft finger grip
- Available in 2 sizes
Not very accurate
Not ideal for very small dogs
- Not very accurate
- Not ideal for very small dogs
Length: 8.64 inches
Weight: 0.60 ounces
Suitable for: All breeds
Pros
Patented 45-degree angled brush head
Dual-ended design
Ergonomic handle
BPA-free bristles
Made in the USA
Cons
Expensive
The Pet Republique Toothbrush is a dual-head design brush that is ideal for dogs of any size and perfect for those sensitive, hard-to-reach areas. The toothbrush comes in a pack of 3, giving you great value for money and is ideal if you have more than one dog. It has a long and narrow handle with both small and large heads for accurate and comfortable brushing, with medium-textured bristles that won’t hurt your pooch. Lastly, we love that Pet Republique will donate 15% of all profits to the American Animal Rescue Society, so each purchase you make goes to helping a dog in need!
Patented 45-degree angled brush head
Dual-ended design
Ergonomic handle
BPA-free bristles
Made in the USA
- Patented 45-degree angled brush head
- Dual-ended design
- Ergonomic handle
- BPA-free bristles
- Made in the USA
Expensive
- Expensive
Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 0.60 ounces
Suitable for: All breeds
Several customers reported that the handle of this brush is rather flimsy and easily bendable, making brushing awkward, especially on larger breeds.
Pros
Dual-head design
3-pack
Long, narrow handle
Medium-textured bristles
Cons
Flimsy, easily bendable handle
If your pooch doesn’t enjoy brushing with a regular toothbrush, a finger toothbrush may be the best bet. The Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Finger Brush is fast and easy to use, with soft rubber bristles that are effective yet gentle on sensitive gums. The rubber bristles are long-lasting and BPA-free, perfectly safe for your pooch, and ideal for puppies and adults of almost any breed. The finger brushes come in a pack of two, ideal for a spare or for multiple-dog homes.
Dual-head design
3-pack
Long, narrow handle
Medium-textured bristles
- Dual-head design
- 3-pack
- Long, narrow handle
- Medium-textured bristles
Flimsy, easily bendable handle
- Flimsy, easily bendable handle
Length: 6 inches
Weight: 0.20 ounces
Suitable for: Medium to large breeds
These brushes are a bit large for small dog breeds, as they’re about as thick as a finger, making them difficult to use in small mouths. Also, the brush may be either too small or large for your fingers, making it difficult to use accurately and thoroughly.
Pros
Fast and easy to use
Soft rubber bristles
BPA-free
Pack of two
Cons
Inexpensive
Not ideal for small dogs
Only one size available
The Vetoquinol Enzandent Dual-Ended Toothbrush features both a large head and a small head, making it ideal for those hard-to-reach areas. The heads are ergonomically angled to make brushing even easier, with gentle yet effective bristles that are ideal for more sensitive pooches. It has a long handle that can reach all the way to the back of even large dogs’ mouths, with triangular heads that cover a large area and make brushing faster.
Fast and easy to use
Soft rubber bristles
BPA-free
Pack of two
- Fast and easy to use
- Soft rubber bristles
- BPA-free
- Pack of two
Inexpensive
Not ideal for small dogs
Only one size available
- Inexpensive
- Not ideal for small dogs
- Only one size available
Length: 11 inches
Weight: 3 ounces
Suitable for: Medium to large breeds
This toothbrush is not ideal for smaller dogs, as even the small head may be too large. Also, several customers report that the bristles fall out easily, even after only one or two brushes.
Pros
Dual-head design
Ergonomically angled
Long handle
Triangular head design with soft bristles
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Cons
Not ideal for small breeds
Bristles fall out easily
The Vet’s Best Dental Finger Toothbrush comes in a pack of 10 — ideal for multi-dog households — and is relatively inexpensive. The toothbrush is made from soft, food-grade, BPA-free silicone with gentle yet effective bristles that comfortably clean your dog’s teeth. The brush can fit most small to medium-sized fingers up to ¾ inch in diameter, with a non-slip design that keeps them on your finger even when wet.
Dual-head design
Ergonomically angled
Long handle
Triangular head design with soft bristles
s
- Dual-head design
- Ergonomically angled
- Long handle
- Triangular head design with soft bristles
s
Not ideal for small breeds
Bristles fall out easily
- Not ideal for small breeds
- Bristles fall out easily
Length: 3 inches
Weight: 0.10 ounces
Suitable for: Medium to large breeds
Unfortunately, this brush will not fit on large fingers, and the bristled section is too small to really be effective. Also, this brush is far too big for smaller breeds or puppies and suitable for larger breeds only.
Pros
Inexpensive
Pack of 10
Made from BPA-free plastic
Non-slip design
Cons
Too small for most fingers
Limited bristles
Not ideal for small dogs
Inexpensive and designed specifically for small dog breeds and puppies, the H&H Pets Toothbrush is made with ultra-soft, polished bristles that are gentle on your dog’s gums but effectively remove plaque and debris. It has an ergonomic grip to stop from slipping while brushing and make brushing more accurate, and a tapered end to get to those hard-to-reach areas. The brush comes in a pack of 4 so you have plenty of spares or a brush for each pooch, and a percentage of each purchase will be donated to non-profit animal rescue organizations.
Inexpensive
Pack of 10
Made from BPA-free plastic
Non-slip design
- Inexpensive
- Pack of 10
- Made from BPA-free plastic
- Non-slip design
Too small for most fingers
Limited bristles
Not ideal for small dogs
- Too small for most fingers
- Limited bristles
- Not ideal for small dogs
Length: 6 inches
Weight: 0.30 ounces
Suitable for: Small breeds
This brush has long bristles, making brushing your dog’s back teeth a bit of a challenge. Also, many customers reported that the bristles began to fall out after only a few uses, and this toothbrush is not suitable for large or even medium-sized dog breeds.
Pros
Ideal for small dog breeds
Inexpensive
Pack of four
Ergonomic grip
Cons
Very long bristles
Poor quality bristles
Not suitable for large dog breeds
The Woobamboo Dog Toothbrush comes in 2 different sizes, making it ideal for both small and large dog breeds. The toothbrush is made from eco-friendly, fast-growing bamboo which is 100% biodegradable once you’re done with it, or can be used as a safe stick toy, plus is made with recycled packaging. The handle has an ergonomic design with a thumb hump for comfortable and accurate brushing, with high-quality, vet-approved bristles designed specifically for dogs.
Ideal for small dog breeds
Inexpensive
Pack of four
Ergonomic grip
- Ideal for small dog breeds
- Inexpensive
- Pack of four
- Ergonomic grip
Very long bristles
Poor quality bristles
Not suitable for large dog breeds
- Very long bristles
- Poor quality bristles
- Not suitable for large dog breeds
Length: 5.5 inches
Weight: 1.5 ounces
Suitable for: All breeds
Unfortunately, while the bamboo design is great for the environment, it is very easy to break, and one small bite will crack the handle easily. Also, even the larger size is far too small for larger dog breeds, and the bristles are too long to brush effectively with smaller breeds.
Pros
Made from eco-friendly bamboo
2 different sizes available
100% biodegradable
Ergonomic handle
Cons
Breaks very easily
Too small for large breeds
Long bristles
The Arm & Hammer Fresh Spectrum 360 Degree Toothbrush has a unique, 360-degree head that brushes your dog’s teeth from any angle, making brushing far more efficient. It has an ergonomic handle that makes brushing accurate and comfortable and can clean your dog’s teeth in half the time of a regular toothbrush. The brush also has strong bristles that clean effectively yet are not too tough on your pooches’ gums.
Made from eco-friendly bamboo
2 different sizes available
100% biodegradable
Ergonomic handle
- Made from eco-friendly bamboo
- 2 different sizes available
- 100% biodegradable
- Ergonomic handle
Breaks very easily
Too small for large breeds
Long bristles
- Breaks very easily
- Too small for large breeds
- Long bristles
Length: 8 inches
Weight: 3.20 ounces
Suitable for: All breeds
This brush is stiff and unfortunately not very strong, and the head breaks off easily even with a small bite, presenting a potential choking hazard. Also, the 360 design may be quicker but is far less accurate and difficult to get to the back of your dog’s mouth.
Pros
Unique 360-degree head design
Ergonomic handle
Cleans teeth in half the time
Cons
Stiff handle is easy to break
Potential choking hazard
Not very accurate
Unique 360-degree head design
Ergonomic handle
Cleans teeth in half the time
- Unique 360-degree head design
- Ergonomic handle
- Cleans teeth in half the time
Stiff handle is easy to break
Potential choking hazard
Not very accurate
- Stiff handle is easy to break
- Potential choking hazard
- Not very accurate
Buyer’s Guide – Purchasing the Best Dog Toothbrush
Unfortunately, dental hygiene is one of the most overlooked aspects of dog care, leading to periodontal disease being one of the most common diseases in dogs today. This is mostly due to a lack of awareness, but luckily, more and more dog owners are taking dental health in their pets far more seriously. While technique and frequency of brushing are certainly important, having the right tool for the job is essential too.
Toothbrushes made for humans will not work as well on your dog’s teeth as specially made brushes, and so using a purpose-made brush is essential. There are a ton of pet toothbrushes flooding the market today, and while this is great, it can make choosing the right one difficult for pet parents. Let’s look at some of the factors to consider when purchasing a toothbrush for your pooch:
Size
In general, pet toothbrushes are a lot longer than human toothbrushes, for good reason. Dogs cannot brush their own teeth, so you’ll need to do it for them! Having a long handle makes this far easier, as you can effortlessly reach and access all their teeth. The brush head also needs to be catered toward a canine mouth, with bristles that are not too hard, long, or big. Many dog toothbrushes today come with dual-heads, with a smaller brush on one side and a larger one on the other.
Design
Typically, toothbrushes for dogs are much the same as human toothbrushes, but with a few small differences. The heads are usually smaller and slightly angled for easier brushing. They should also have a grip to make brushing comfortable and more accurate and stop the toothbrush from slipping while you’re working.
If your dog doesn’t enjoy having a toothbrush in their mouth, there is luckily another option. Finger toothbrushes, simple rubber or silicone tubes that fit over your finger, are also available. These simple designs have small, soft bristles and make brushing easier for fussy dogs, but are not as effective as normal toothbrushes.
- See Also: Typical Dog Tooth Implant Costs (2022 Update) What You Need To Know!
Price
Toothbrushes are not expensive products overall, but you certainly get what you pay for. Inexpensive toothbrushes will do the job almost as well as any other toothbrush but will not last as long as more quality brushes. Typically, a good-quality toothbrush should last up to 3 months with regular use, while a cheap one will last half that or less. This then ends up in a landfill and costs you more money in the long run anyway.
How Often Should You Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
Most experts recommended brushing your dog’s teeth at least 3–4 times per week, but daily brushing is the best way to prevent dental disease. Your dog eats every day, just like you, and will thus have food stuck in their teeth that can quickly begin to cause tooth decay if not removed quickly.
Bad breath is the first indicator that your pooch has a dental issue, but plaque buildup and gingivitis are also signs of dental disease developing.
Some other signs and symptoms of dental disease are:
Tooth loss
Inflamed gums
Discolored teeth
Drooling
Reduced appetite
- See Also: How Much Does a Typical Dog Tooth Removal Cost? (2022 Update)
Tooth loss
Inflamed gums
Discolored teeth
Drooling
Reduced appetite
- Tooth loss
- Inflamed gums
- Discolored teeth
- Drooling
- Reduced appetite
Conclusion
While we recommend any of the above doggie toothbrushes, the Virbac C.E.T Dual-Ended Toothbrush is our top choice overall. It features a large brush head on one end and a small head on the other with reverse angles, a handle with tapered ends and perfectly angled heads, and soft bristles that are gentle and easy on your dog’s gums.
The TropiClean Fresh Breath Tripleflex Toothbrush is the best dog toothbrush for the money according to our research. It has a triple-sided design that gives your pooch a 360-degree clean, a soft finger grip for comfort, and is available in 2 sizes.
If you’re looking for a premium option for your pooch, the Petsmile Professional Pet Toothbrush is a great choice. The brush has a patented 45-degree bristle angle with 5 rows of BPA-free bristles, a dual-ended design, and an ergonomic handle for comfortable brushing.
Good dental hygiene is essential for your pooch, and choosing the right toothbrush is an important part of keeping their teeth clean and tartar-free. We hope our in-depth reviews have helped narrow the options so can find the best toothbrush for your pooch!
Featured Image Credit: Littlekidmoment, Shutterstock
