Enzyme, Baking Soda, Homemade, And More – CanineJournal.com

Dental home care is an essential part of caring for your pup. But how do you know which toothpaste you should use? The choices can be overwhelming.

Our experts help you weed through the products to find the right dog toothpaste for your pup.

How Do I Know What My Dog Needs?

How much do you know about your dog’s teeth? The first step to understanding your pup’s dental needs is to learn more about his teeth. In our article, “how many teeth do dogs have?” our experts break down the basics of your dog’s mouth.

Once you grasp that, it helps to understand the kind of concerns that can occur in your dog’s mouth. For instance, did you know gum disease is the most common disease affecting pet dogs? If you know what’s going on in your dog’s mouth, that information can guide you to make the right choice for toothpaste.

Types Of Dog Toothpaste

What Flavors Are Available?

Best Dog Toothpaste

Best Enzyme Toothpaste: Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste For Dogs

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Enzyme toothpaste is a popular choice for cleaning dog teeth and fighting oral diseases because the enzymes break down food and bacteria. Sentry Petrodex uses patented enzymes to set itself apart from other brands, and that is why we chose them as our pick for the best enzyme toothpaste for dogs. This non-foaming formula comes in a delicious poultry flavor that your pup may love. It reduces the plaque and bacteria that can cause oral disease.

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Best Baking Soda Toothpaste: Arm & Hammer Fresh Spectrum

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Baking soda is an effective cleaning agent due to its abrasive nature and its ability to whiten and brighten teeth. Arm & Hammer dog toothpaste leads the pack as the best baking soda toothpaste for dogs. The Fresh Spectrum toothpaste comes in a coconut mint flavor and neutralizes odor while cleaning away plaque and whitening teeth. This paste is an adult dog toothpaste, so it’s not for puppies.

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Best Toothpaste For Bad Breath: Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste

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Virbac makes our number one choice when you are seeking the best dog toothpaste for bad breath. This toothpaste uses enzymes to quickly break down food and bacteria, reducing the amount of plaque in your dog’s mouth. The vanilla mint flavor is a bonus that leaves your dog’s mouth feeling and smelling fresh. It also comes in other dog-friendly flavors (poultry, beef, seafood, malt).

You can buy the toothpaste alone, or you can get it as a set with a toothbrush. Vibrac also makes oral hygiene chews that can help reduce plaque and bacteria.

If bad breath is an issue for your pup, check out what our experts have to say about other ways to get rid of bad breath.

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Best Natural Toothpaste: Petpost Toothpaste For Dogs

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If you’re looking for a natural toothpaste that your pup will enjoy, we recommend Petpost Toothpaste for dogs. You won’t find any chemicals, bleach, or fragrances in this toothpaste, and it uses baking soda and coconut oil to fight plaque build-up effectively. Besides being our pick for the best natural dog toothpaste, we also think it is the best coconut oil dog toothpaste.

Petpost offers a 100% happy dog guarantee, so if you or your pup don’t like the product, you can return it.

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Best Toothpaste For Puppies: RADIUS USDA Organic Dental Solutions Puppy Kit

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Puppies have a lot going on in their mouths, with new teeth growing and losing baby teeth. These changes can leave their mouths feeling tender. Our experts recommend the RADIUS puppy kit, which includes our choice for the best toothpaste for puppies. This toothpaste is gentle and soothing for a puppy’s tender mouth while also being strong and effective at fighting plaque and preventing cavities.

You won’t find any harmful chemicals in this product. There is also no xylitol, preservatives, dyes, GMOs, glutens, fluoride, saccharin, artificial additives, sweeteners, or flavors. It’s also latex, SLS and SLES, BPA, and BPS-free.

In addition to the paste, the kit includes a puppy toothbrush that is extra soft and recommended for puppies up to 18 months.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You may find you have lots of questions when it comes to dog toothpaste. Our experts put together a list of questions that we think our readers will want to know about. Don’t see your question? Ask us in the comments section.

Can Dogs Use Human Toothpaste?

No, dogs can’t have human toothpaste. The reason is that you are not supposed to swallow human toothpaste. It’s nearly impossible to brush your dog’s teeth and rinse their mouth out too. So there is a good chance they will ingest whatever toothpaste you put in their mouths. This is why it’s essential that you use dog-safe toothpaste when brushing your pup’s teeth.

What’s The Best Dog Toothbrush?

When it comes to dog toothbrushes, you have many options. There are regular brushes like the Woobamboo pet toothbrush or a sonic toothbrush that uses sound waves and fast bristle movement to remove plaque. However, those don’t work for everyone. You could also try a finger toothbrush if that’s more effective and makes your dog more comfortable.

Can Dogs Eat Toothpaste?

Since dogs can’t rinse or spit their toothpaste out, they often ingest some dog toothpaste. You still don’t want them to eat a whole tube, but swallowing a little dog toothpaste is ok.

What Is Dog Tooth Gel?

If your dog doesn’t like to have his teeth brushed, you can use a dog tooth gel. You apply the gel to the dog’s teeth, and he will naturally rub it around with his tongue. Brushing is better at fighting plaque build-up, but if you can’t brush the teeth, the gel is a great backup plan.

Do I Need A Dog Tooth Cleaning Kit?

If you feel like brushing alone isn’t cutting it, you may want to get a tooth cleaning kit. The Mothermed electric cleaner is a kit with several cleaning brush head tips you can use on an electric base.

You can also try the Toulify pet teeth cleaning kit that has a set of dental tools like you might find in your own dentist’s office. The big thing to remember here is that these tools can be dangerous. So be careful and cautious if you decide to use them.

What Is Brushless Toothpaste?

Brushless toothpaste for dogs is another option for dental homecare when toothbrushing just isn’t working. Petsmile is the only vet-recommended dog toothpaste awarded the seal of acceptance by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Simply rub this beef-flavored toothpaste on your dog’s teeth instead of brushing.

Can Dogs Use Mouthwash?

Since dogs can’t rinse and spit, there isn’t a traditional mouthwash for dogs. However, there is a product called dental wash that you can add to your pup’s water that helps fight plaque-causing bacteria.  Our experts recommend Virbac as the best dental wash for dogs.

Are There Treats I Can Give My Dog To Help Clean His Teeth?

Some treats can help your dog improve his dental health. Dental chews for dogs, rawhide bones, or safer rawhide alternatives can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup and increase gum health.

Can I Make Homemade Dog Toothpaste?

Ensure Your Pup’s Dental Health

Finding the right toothpaste that your dog loves can be the best way to keep your dog’s teeth healthy. However, even with proper home care, dental emergencies and tooth infections can occur, and they can be costly. If you want to ensure that you’ll be able to care for your dog’s teeth throughout his life, you may want to consider signing up for pet dental insurance as a proactive measure before your dog has issues. Our experts give you the info you need to understand regarding the best pet dental insurance and what it covers.

What flavor of toothpaste do you think your dog will like best?