Grooming a dog goes far beyond just brushing his coat and bathing him. Brushing your dog’s teeth is also essential, and can help prevent dental issues from occurring farther down the line as your dog ages. Of course, you need toothpaste in order to keep your dog’s teeth as clean as possible, but what toothpaste is the best for your pup?
A good toothpaste for dogs should be effective at cleaning the teeth but have a flavor that the dog will love as well. After all, if your dog enjoys the flavor of the toothpaste, he’s more likely to participate in and even enjoy having his teeth brushed. To help make your choice easier, we’ve compiled a list of reviews for what we think are the best kinds of toothpaste for dogs.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorite Picks in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Sentry Petrodex Advanced Care
Affordable
Poultry flavored
Veterinary strength
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Best Value
Vet’s Best Enzymatic
Budget-friendly
Contains natural ingredients
Soothes gums and freshens breath
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Premium Choice
Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic
Vet recommended
Poultry flavored
Safe for cats also
Check Price
Arm & Hammer Fresh Spectrum
Gentle formula
Whitens teeth
Great for small dogs/sensitive gums
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Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic
Poultry flavor
Powerful enzyme formula
Can clean underneath the gums
Check Price
The 10 Best Dog Toothpastes
The Sentry Advanced Care Toothpaste is the best overall toothpaste for dogs. It is an enzymatic toothpaste, which means it uses enzymes to help break down tartar and plaque buildup on your dog’s teeth. In addition to removing plaque and tartar, it will also freshen your dog’s breath due to the enzymes and other ingredients found in this toothpaste formula. This toothpaste is veterinary strength, but it doesn’t require a prescription to purchase it. It is designed for adult dogs of any breed.
Flavor: Poultry
Breed Size: All Breeds
Freshens Breath: Yes
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Yes
Check Price on Chewy
In order to make the toothpaste more enticing to dogs, it has a poultry flavor. If your dog doesn’t like the poultry flavor, another version of this toothpaste is peanut butter-flavored. It also comes in two different sizes, so you can purchase the size that fits your budget best. The only downside to this toothpaste is that although the smell is enticing to dogs, this toothpaste may not smell the best to humans while brushing the dog’s teeth. But overall, this is a very affordable and high-quality toothpaste that your dog is sure to love.
Pros
Affordable
Poultry flavored
Veterinary strength
Comes in two different sizes
Cons
It may not smell good to humans
The best dog toothpaste for the money is the Vet’s Best Enzymatic Toothpaste. Not only do you get a lot of product for an affordable price, but the formula is also created by veterinarians using natural ingredients. Some of the ingredients in this toothpaste include neem oil, aloe, and baking soda. These ingredients combined with enzymes help to break down plaque and tartar while soothing your dog’s gums and freshening his breath at the same time.
Affordable
Poultry flavored
Veterinary strength
Comes in two different sizes
- Affordable
- Poultry flavored
- Veterinary strength
- Comes in two different sizes
It may not smell good to humans
- It may not smell good to humans
Flavor: Banana
Breed Size: All Breeds
Freshens Breath: Yes
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Yes
This toothpaste can be used on adult dogs of any breed and size. You can apply it to a toothbrush or your finger to brush your dog’s teeth. However, the flavor of this toothpaste is banana, so it may not be as enticing as other types of dog toothpaste that are poultry or peanut butter flavored. But if you’re on a budget, it’s definitely worth a shot to try this toothpaste.
Pros
Budget-friendly
Contains natural ingredients
Soothes gums and freshens breath
Cons
Some dogs may not like the flavor
Another top choice for dog toothpaste is the Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste. This toothpaste is the most recommended toothpaste brand by veterinarians, so it is a little bit more expensive than other toothpaste. But since it is vet-recommended, you can be assured that it will be effective at cleaning your dog’s teeth and removing plaque and tartar. The enzymatic formula is poultry flavored to make it more enticing to your dogs.
Budget-friendly
Contains natural ingredients
Soothes gums and freshens breath
- Budget-friendly
- Contains natural ingredients
- Soothes gums and freshens breath
Some dogs may not like the flavor
- Some dogs may not like the flavor
This toothpaste is appropriate for adult dogs of any breed. But, an added bonus of this toothpaste is that it is safe for cats to use as well. If you have both dogs and cats, you can buy one product to care for all of their dental needs. We should mention that this toothpaste is a little more abrasive than other types of dog toothpaste. While this is fine for most dogs, it may not be the best choice if your dog has sensitive gums.
Pros
Vet recommended
Poultry flavored
Safe for cats also
Cons
It may not be good for dogs with sensitive gums
Getting your dog used to having his or her teeth brushed from puppyhood is essential for making sure the grown-up teeth grow healthy and strong. This Arm & Hammer Fresh Spectrum Toothpaste is ideal for puppies and smaller dog breeds. The formula is extra gentle, so it won’t be too rough on the tiny teeth of a puppy or small dog breed. This helps to ensure that your dog is comfortable while having his or her teeth brushed. You could also use this toothpaste with dogs that have sensitive gums.
Vet recommended
Poultry flavored
Safe for cats also
- Vet recommended
- Poultry flavored
- Safe for cats also
It may not be good for dogs with sensitive gums
- It may not be good for dogs with sensitive gums
Flavor: Coconut Mint
Breed Size: Puppy, Small Dog
Freshens Breath: Yes
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Yes
This toothpaste formula contains baking soda to freshen your dog’s breath and break down plaque and tartar and coconut oil to whiten your dog’s teeth over time. As you can imagine, coconut oil gives this toothpaste a coconut-like flavor. Even though the flavor may not be appealing to dogs at first, using it from puppyhood can teach your dog to like to flavor as he becomes comfortable with having his teeth brushed. Although this toothpaste is more expensive than other toothpastes, it is the only one gentle enough to use for puppies and you only need a small amount to clean a puppy’s entire mouth.
Pros
Gentle formula
Whitens teeth
Great for small dogs/sensitive gums
Cons
Pricey
It may not be effective for large dogs
Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste is another powerful toothpaste that can be used for both adult dogs and cats. This toothpaste uses a triple-enzyme formula to clean and polish your dog’s teeth while breaking down and removing plaque. It also helps to remove plaque that is hidden beneath your pet’s gums, an area that is harder to keep clean. With veterinarian approval, it also works well to help treat dogs or even cats that already have some sort of dental issues.
Gentle formula
Whitens teeth
Great for small dogs/sensitive gums
- Gentle formula
- Whitens teeth
- Great for small dogs/sensitive gums
Pricey
It may not be effective for large dogs
- Pricey
- It may not be effective for large dogs
Flavor: Poultry
Breed Size: All Breeds
Freshens Breath: No
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Yes
This toothpaste is poultry flavored, which makes it more appealing to your dog. However, it doesn’t specify that it freshens your dog’s breath on the packaging, so it may or may not be effective for this purpose. It’s also slightly more expensive than other toothpaste for dogs because it is a more powerful enzyme formula.
Pros
Poultry flavor
Powerful enzyme formula
Can clean underneath the gums
Cons
Pricey
It may or may not freshen breath
This Arm & Hammer Toothpaste is similar to the Arm & Hammer puppy toothpaste, but it is designed for medium and large adult dogs. This enzymatic formula is more powerful than the puppy toothpaste, while still containing the signature Arm & Hammer baking soda that helps to freshen your dog’s breath and whiten his teeth. The enzymes in the formula help to prevent plaque and tartar buildup as well.
Poultry flavor
Powerful enzyme formula
Can clean underneath the gums
- Poultry flavor
- Powerful enzyme formula
- Can clean underneath the gums
Pricey
It may or may not freshen breath
- Pricey
- It may or may not freshen breath
Flavor: Vanilla Ginger
Breed Size: All Breeds
Freshens Breath: Yes
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Yes
This toothpaste is affordable and from a reputable brand that is known for making effective products. However, the flavor is vanilla ginger, so some dogs may not like the flavor. This toothpaste should be safe enough to use on older puppies but may be too harsh for young puppies due to the enzymes.
Pros
Affordable
Freshens breath
Whitens teeth
Cons
Some dogs may not like the flavor
Not suitable for younger puppies
This Arm & Hammer dog toothpaste is designed for dogs with sensitive or inflamed gums and can be a good option for dogs that don’t like to have their teeth cleaned. The formula contains aloe vera and other natural herbs to help soothe gums, as well as baking soda to help whiten your dog’s teeth and freshen his breath. Plus, it has a chicken flavor to make it more appealing to your dog.
Affordable
Freshens breath
Whitens teeth
- Affordable
- Freshens breath
- Whitens teeth
Some dogs may not like the flavor
Not suitable for younger puppies
- Some dogs may not like the flavor
- Not suitable for younger puppies
Flavor: Chicken
Breed Size: All Breeds
Freshens Breath: Yes
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Some
One downside to this toothpaste is that it does help to reduce tartar buildup but it may not remove it all together. This is because it is designed to be gentle and doesn’t contain as many powerful ingredients that are effective for breaking down tartar and plaque. Even though it is chicken flavored, it has a minty scent. This makes it smell better to humans, but the scent may cause some dogs to shy away from it until they actually taste it.
Pros
Made with natural ingredients
Great for dogs with sensitive gums
Helps to soothe inflamed gum
Cons
It may be less effective at removing tartar
Some dogs may not like the smell at first
Nutrivet Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste is one of the most affordable products on this list. It is formulated by veterinarians with ingredients that are proven to help clean your dog’s teeth. An added bonus is that the packaging tells you what each ingredient in the toothpaste is designed to do. That means you don’t have to wonder if the ingredients are just fillers or if they are actually effective.
Made with natural ingredients
Great for dogs with sensitive gums
Helps to soothe inflamed gum
- Made with natural ingredients
- Great for dogs with sensitive gums
- Helps to soothe inflamed gum
It may be less effective at removing tartar
Some dogs may not like the smell at first
- It may be less effective at removing tartar
- Some dogs may not like the smell at first
Flavor: Chicken
Breed Size: All Breeds
Freshens Breath: Yes
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Yes
Like so many other toothpastes on this list, this toothpaste contains natural enzymes that help to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. The chicken flavor makes the toothpaste more enticing to your dog, but it may not smell the best to humans. As a note, this toothpaste is only designed for adult dogs—it is not suitable for puppies.
Pros
Affordable
Chicken flavor
Reduces plaque and tartar
Cons
Only for adult dogs
It may not smell the best
- Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Toothpaste
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Flavor: Original
Breed Size: All Breeds
Freshens Breath: Yes
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Yes
Nylabone has a reputation for making high-quality chews for dogs, and now they’ve created a line of oral hygiene care products for dogs as well. The Advanced Oral Care Toothpaste is created with a blend of ingredients that is scientifically formulated to reduce plaque and tartar and freshen your dog’s breath.
Affordable
Chicken flavor
Reduces plaque and tartar
- Affordable
- Chicken flavor
- Reduces plaque and tartar
Only for adult dogs
It may not smell the best
- Only for adult dogs
- It may not smell the best
Check Latest Price
Flavor: Original
Breed Size: All Breeds
Freshens Breath: Yes
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Yes
There are a couple of downsides to this toothpaste. The first is that the flavor is listed on the packaging as “original.” The description describes the flavor as savory but isn’t more specific than that. If your dog has any food allergies, you may want to play it safe and choose a different kind of toothpaste. The other downside is that although it is described as a paste, some purchasers describe the texture as foamy so it may be harder for it to thoroughly coat your dog’s teeth.
Pros
Freshens breath
Reduces plaque and tartar
Cons
Unspecified flavor
Toothpaste may be foamy
This is the most expensive toothpaste on this list, but it is the only steak-flavored toothpaste making it ideal for dogs who may have allergies to chicken. However, this flavor is artificial because the toothpaste has a vegan formula. It also doesn’t contain enzymes. Instead, plaque and tartar are broken down by Calprox, which is essentially a combination of calcium peroxide and other minerals.
Freshens breath
Reduces plaque and tartar
- Freshens breath
- Reduces plaque and tartar
Unspecified flavor
Toothpaste may be foamy
- Unspecified flavor
- Toothpaste may be foamy
Flavor: Steak
Breed Size: All Breeds
Freshens Breath: No
Plaque and Tartar Removal: Yes
This toothpaste is approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) and is free of sulfates, parabens, and silica. Even though it breaks down tartar, it may not be as effective as enzyme formulas and this toothpaste may not freshen your dog’s breath as well as other toothpastes do.
Pros
Steak flavor
Vegan product
VOHC-certified
Cons
Expensive
Does not contain enzymes
May not freshen breath
- See Also: How Much Does a Typical Dog Tooth Removal Cost?
Steak flavor
Vegan product
VOHC-certified
- Steak flavor
- Vegan product
- VOHC-certified
Expensive
Does not contain enzymes
May not freshen breath
- Expensive
- Does not contain enzymes
- May not freshen breath
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Dog Toothpaste
Hopefully, our reviews made your decision a little easier. If you’re still not sure, we thought we’d offer some tips when deciding which toothpaste is best for your dog. There are several factors to consider, including the ingredients and flavor of the toothpaste in addition to the age of your dog and any health conditions.
Dog Toothpaste Ingredients
The ingredients in dog toothpaste are one of the most important things to consider. For starters, dog toothpaste has to contain ingredients that are safe for your dog to swallow since they can’t spit and wash their mouth out the same way humans can. Never use human toothpaste on dogs because it contains ingredients that aren’t safe to swallow.
Secondly, you’ll need to decide whether you want a toothpaste that contains enzymes. Although enzymes are more effective at breaking down plaque and tartar, some enzymatic toothpastes can be too harsh especially for dogs that have sensitive gums or teeth. But, a toothpaste that doesn’t contain enzymes may not be as effective at breaking down tartar or plaque.
Although enzymes do break down tartar which can freshen a dog’s breath, other ingredients such as baking soda can further help to prevent bad breath especially if the toothpaste is used every day. If your dog has sensitive or irritated gums you may also want to consider a toothpaste that has aloe in it which can help to soothe the gums.
Dog Toothpaste Flavor
The next thing you’ll want to consider is the flavor of the toothpaste. Dogs are more likely to participate in having their teeth brushed if they enjoy the flavor, but you’ll also want to consider any allergies your dog may have.
Most toothpaste for dogs is poultry or peanut butter flavored. But other flavors are fruit-based. A dog is more likely to go for poultry or peanut butter flavored toothpaste, but if he’s allergic to either then you’ll have to find a flavor that your dog enjoys and that is safe for him.
Dog Dental Conditions
If your dog has any dental disease or condition, including gingivitis, periodontal disease, or even inflamed or sensitive gums and teeth, you may want to consult with your vet before choosing a toothpaste. Your vet may be able to recommend a specific toothpaste for your dog based on his needs.
As your dog gets older, he is more prone to dental conditions as well, including losing some of his teeth. In this case, your vet may also recommend a specific toothpaste that is formulated for older dogs. Even if your dog isn’t old or doesn’t have any medical conditions, you may still wish to consult with your vet. He or she can help you decide or recommend a good toothpaste for your dog.
- See Also: Typical Dog Tooth Implant Costs: What You Need To Know!
Tips For Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth from the time he is a puppy can help him become more familiar with it as he grows. But if you’ve adopted an older dog, he may be hesitant to have his teeth brushed if he’s never had them brushed before. Whether your dog is a puppy or an adult, here are some tips for brushing his teeth.
Don’t force your dog to have his teeth brushed. He needs time to become familiar with the feeling and the taste of the toothpaste.
Place a bit of dog toothpaste on your finger and let your dog lick it off. This will allow him to taste the toothpaste, and if he likes it, he will be more likely to do it again.
Once your dog willingly licks the toothpaste off your finger a few times, run your finger around his front gums and teeth the next time he does it. Give him a treat for allowing you to do so.
When your dog is comfortable with you putting your finger into his mouth, gently lift his lip and run your finger around his front teeth and gums, then move toward the back of his mouth. Repeat with the bottom teeth. Be sure to give him a treat and praise.
Once your dog has mastered this, put the toothpaste onto a doggy toothbrush and let him lick it off of the toothbrush. Reward him for doing so. This will get him comfortable with the toothbrush.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the toothbrush instead of your finger. Move the toothbrush farther back into your dog’s mouth each time. Reward your dog, even if he only lets you brush a few of his teeth at first.
If your dog seems hesitant at any point, go back to a step that he’s comfortable with and try again. Once he’s mastered the step, move on.
When your dog is comfortable with having his teeth brushed, brush his teeth on a regular basis. This will help to keep his teeth and gums healthy, as well as lower bad breath and his risk for dental disease.
Don’t force your dog to have his teeth brushed. He needs time to become familiar with the feeling and the taste of the toothpaste.
Place a bit of dog toothpaste on your finger and let your dog lick it off. This will allow him to taste the toothpaste, and if he likes it, he will be more likely to do it again.
Once your dog willingly licks the toothpaste off your finger a few times, run your finger around his front gums and teeth the next time he does it. Give him a treat for allowing you to do so.
When your dog is comfortable with you putting your finger into his mouth, gently lift his lip and run your finger around his front teeth and gums, then move toward the back of his mouth. Repeat with the bottom teeth. Be sure to give him a treat and praise.
Once your dog has mastered this, put the toothpaste onto a doggy toothbrush and let him lick it off of the toothbrush. Reward him for doing so. This will get him comfortable with the toothbrush.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the toothbrush instead of your finger. Move the toothbrush farther back into your dog’s mouth each time. Reward your dog, even if he only lets you brush a few of his teeth at first.
If your dog seems hesitant at any point, go back to a step that he’s comfortable with and try again. Once he’s mastered the step, move on.
When your dog is comfortable with having his teeth brushed, brush his teeth on a regular basis. This will help to keep his teeth and gums healthy, as well as lower bad breath and his risk for dental disease.
- Don’t force your dog to have his teeth brushed. He needs time to become familiar with the feeling and the taste of the toothpaste.
- Place a bit of dog toothpaste on your finger and let your dog lick it off. This will allow him to taste the toothpaste, and if he likes it, he will be more likely to do it again.
- Once your dog willingly licks the toothpaste off your finger a few times, run your finger around his front gums and teeth the next time he does it. Give him a treat for allowing you to do so.
- When your dog is comfortable with you putting your finger into his mouth, gently lift his lip and run your finger around his front teeth and gums, then move toward the back of his mouth. Repeat with the bottom teeth. Be sure to give him a treat and praise.
- Once your dog has mastered this, put the toothpaste onto a doggy toothbrush and let him lick it off of the toothbrush. Reward him for doing so. This will get him comfortable with the toothbrush.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the toothbrush instead of your finger. Move the toothbrush farther back into your dog’s mouth each time. Reward your dog, even if he only lets you brush a few of his teeth at first.
- If your dog seems hesitant at any point, go back to a step that he’s comfortable with and try again. Once he’s mastered the step, move on.
- When your dog is comfortable with having his teeth brushed, brush his teeth on a regular basis. This will help to keep his teeth and gums healthy, as well as lower bad breath and his risk for dental disease.
Conclusion
Brushing your dog’s teeth is not an easy task at first, but choosing the right toothpaste can help get your dog used to the idea and even excited about having his teeth brushed. The best overall toothpaste for dogs is the Sentry Petrodex Advanced Care Toothpaste due to its cleaning power and poultry flavor that dogs love. For an even more budget-friendly toothpaste, try the Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste. No matter which toothpaste you choose, we hope these reviews help you choose a product that works for both you and your dog and can keep his teeth and gums healthy throughout his life.
See also: 9 Best Puppy Toothpastes: Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock
