Best Dog Toothpaste Reviews: Fresh Breath for Dogs

Dog Toothpaste: Not for the smile, just good dental health.

Is brushing your dog’s teeth on a to-do list, but secretly think it can’t be done? Or maybe it is something you have not even thought about and wouldn’t know where to start. Then we have a secret to share. Dog toothpaste makes tooth brushing sooooooo much easier! We kid you not.

In the past perhaps you did everything right and tried slowly introducing the toothbrush to your dog. If it all went horribly wrong, then know your best ally in the battle for better dental health is… Dog toothpaste.

The thing is those clever people who manufacture such products have twigged that if something tastes good then dogs won’t mind it in their mouth…indeed they’ll be eager for you to rub it all over their teeth and save them the hassle of eating it. Nom nom nom.

If you are in a hurry, our top pick is:

Sentry Pet Care Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste 6.2oz Tube

• Hydrogen-peroxide producing formula does not foam, so no rinsing is necessary. Helps control plaque...
• Package Description: 6.2 oz. (175 g)
• Serving Size: ..

£16.95

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So before we brush up on the best dog toothpaste, let’s freshen up our memories on how to clean a dog’s teeth. Remember, start slow. Let the dog be happy with each step before moving onto the next.

• Put a blob of dog toothpaste onto a fingertip and let the dog lick it off• Get the dog used to you touching his muzzle and lifting his lips.
• Get the dog used to you touching his muzzle and lifting his lips
• Dab toothpaste onto his teeth
• Put toothpaste on a dog toothbrush or finger brush, and let him lick it off
• Dab the brush plus toothpaste onto his teeth
• Gently rub the brush over the teeth at the front, which are easier to reach (no need to rinse)
• Gradually build up the number of teeth you brush…Ta dah! You’re brushing your dog’s teeth without realizing

NOTE: Avoid human toothpaste as the fluoride is harmful to dogs when swallowed.

So are all dog toothpastes much-of-a-muchness or should you be choosy? Let’s take a look.

So before we brush up on the best dog toothpaste, let’s freshen up our memories on how to clean a dog’s teeth. Remember, start slow. Let the dog be happy with each step before moving onto the next.

• Put a blob of dog toothpaste onto a fingertip and let the dog lick it off• Get the dog used to you touching his muzzle and lifting his lips.
• Get the dog used to you touching his muzzle and lifting his lips
• Dab toothpaste onto his teeth
• Put toothpaste on a dog toothbrush or finger brush, and let him lick it off
• Dab the brush plus toothpaste onto his teeth
• Gently rub the brush over the teeth at the front, which are easier to reach (no need to rinse)
• Gradually build up the number of teeth you brushTa dah! You’re brushing your dog’s teeth without realizing

NOTE: Avoid human toothpaste as the fluoride is harmful to dogs when swallowed.

So are all dog toothpastes much-of-a-muchness or should you be choosy? Let’s take a look.

THE BEST DOG TOOTHPASTE: REVIEWS and COMPARISONS

Product	Details
	Arm & Hammer Clinical Gum Health Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs in Chicken Flavor Helps eliminate bad breath and clean tartar	Helps eliminate bad breath and clean tartar	Check on Amazon
	Beaphar Toothbrush and Toothpaste Kit No-nonsense dog toothpaste	No-nonsense dog toothpaste	Check on Amazon
	CEVA Logic Oral Hygiene Gel Helps fight bad breath	Helps fight bad breath	Check on Amazon
	Johnsons Veterinary Toothpaste Cleans teeth and freshens gums	Cleans teeth and freshens gums	Check on Amazon
	Petosan Great tasting toothpaste	Great tasting toothpaste	Check on Amazon
Top Rated	Top Rated Sentry Works to breakdown plaque and prevent it hardening into tartar	Works to breakdown plaque and prevent it hardening into tartar	Check on Amazon
	Virbac Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs Uses enzymes to break down the proteins that cause plaque to accumulate	Uses enzymes to break down the proteins that cause plaque to accumulate	Check on Amazon

Now let’s scrub down and look at each product in more detail.

Arm & Hammer Clinical Gum Health Enzymatic Tootphase

Arm & Hammer Clinical Gum Health Enzymatic Toothpaste for...

• Eliminate bad dog breath with this dog toothpaste so that you can enjoy your dog’s kisses without...
• Dog toothpaste is gentle yet effective in eliminating bad breath, reducing tartar buildup, and...
• Natural ingredients ensure optimal dental health for your dog with the flavor of a tasty treat he or...

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If the brand “Arm & Hammer” rings a bell, it’s probably because this long established company (150 years) make best-selling human toothpastes containing baking soda. They’ve now branched out into the pet market with a paws-ome paste that hounds seem hungry for.

This chicken-flavoured paste (Nom nom nom. Chicken fresh breath) contains baking soda and other beneficial ingredients such as goldenseal, honeysuckle, chrysanthemum extract, chamomile, aloe vera, and flax seed oil. The benefits of baking soda include a gentle fizzing action along the gum line, to better penetrate between the teeth for a deep clean action. It also helps maintain a healthy pH inside the mouth, which discourages bad breath and reduces plaque formation.

Overall Value

Realistically, this product is unlikely to remove heavy tartar deposits (as is the case with most toothpaste) but used regularly it goes a long way to promoting a healthy mouth AND dogs just can’t get enough of that chicken flavour.

Beaphar Toothbrush and Toothpaste Kit

Sale

Beaphar | Toothbrush & Toothpaste Dental Care Kit | For Dogs...

• THE GOLD STANDARD APPROACH TO DENTAL CARE: Nothing compares to regular brushing when taking care of...
• ERGONOMIC, DOUBLE-ENDED TOOTHBRUSH: With varying length bristles, this toothbrush is designed to...
• ADVANCED DUAL-ENZYME TOOTHPASTE: Combines two enzymes which fight plaque, bacteria and tartar...

£8.99 −46% £4.84

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So what is the alternative to the scienced-up vet-recommended toothpastes?

Beaphar is a no-nonsense dog toothpaste (Note: Not suitable for use in cats) with antiplaque properties.

This product divides opinion with some dogs loving the liver flavour, whilst others turn up their noses and run a mile. There is little doubt that tooth brushing is a beneficial preventative treatment, abrading away the debris that encourages plaque formation. The Beaphar toothpaste falls into this ‘preventative’ category, rather than the more sophisticated ‘treatment’ group of toothpastes and gels.

Overall Value

There is no doubt that regular brushing is recommended and this Beaphar product is a good, no nonsense introduction to the world of doggy oral hygiene. At this price you can afford to take a punt and give it a go!

CEVA Logic Oral Hygiene Gel

Logic Oral Hygiene Gel for Cats and Dogs, 70 g with Finger...

• Logic Oral Hygiene Gel is a highly palatable formulation containing a complex of naturally occurring...
• Used and recommended by vets and created to a veterinary standard.
• Can be used with or without brushing. The gel contains a surfactant which ensures that the active...

£9.84

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CEVA Logic is a little different than our other products as strictly speaking it isn’t a toothpaste (although it’s used in a similar manner). It is an ‘oral hygiene gel’ with a clever formulation that helps it stick to the teeth for longer, for longer lasting delivery of those plaque busting ingredients.

This product manipulates the pet’s saliva to make the mouth a more hostile place for bacteria. It is the action of bacteria that hardens plaque to tartar, inflames gums, and causes bad breath, so lots of ticks in lots of boxes with a product that impacts on those pesky bugs.

Overall Value

A general thumbs up all round from hundreds of satisfied users. Many are established users of other toothpastes and were underwhelmed by the results…until they discovered the improvement afforded by this CEVA gel.

Whilst CEVA gel is not a cheap product, balanced against costly professional descaling, it is a sound investment in your dog’s dental health.

Johnsons Veterinary Toothpaste

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Johnsons Chicken Triple Action Toothpaste for Cats & Dogs,50...

• Triple action to clean teeth & gums
• Protects against plaque and tartar
• Contains parsley oil to freshen breath

£4.49 −13% £3.89

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A product not to everyone’s taste, Johnson’s veterinary toothpaste is an OK product from a trusted manufacturer. This toothpaste makes few claims other than it cleans teeth and freshens gums. Indeed, the lack of claims make it difficult to argue that simple brushing with water would be any the less beneficial.

Overall Value

On the plus side, some pet parents prefer the minty smell of this product to the meaty smells of other pastes. So if your preference is for minty-fresh rather than beefy-fresh breath, then this is one for your dog’s shelf in the bathroom.

Petosan

Petosan Toothpaste for Dogs and Pets, Anti-Tartar Poultry...

• Formulated to be very tasty, helping to make the brushing a positive experience for your dog
• Contains Pyrophosphates that help control tartar by inhibiting the formation of dental calculus...
• Contains Hydrated silica, a mild abrasive used for grinding and polishing. It is found as crystals,...

£9.98

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New product…new product…new product…

Developed by Scandinavian dentists and vets, as an established brand Petosan is now launching in the UK. The overall package of dental care is something to smile about with special two-headed brushes that get into that tricky inner surface, and a great tasting toothpaste.

About that taste…Petosan is poultry flavoured and smells good enough to …well…eat. Unlike other meaty toothpastes that have your recoiling and marvelling at what dogs seem to enjoy, Petosan appeals to both two and four-leggers (although we’re not suggesting you clean your teeth with it.)

The formulation includes ingredients which inhibit tartar formation, and mild abrasives that scrub away plaque without damaging the surface of the enamel. A great consistency that leaves the tube cleanly and hugs the brush without dropping off, this is a well thought through product.

Overall Value

At £8.77 at tube this is a considered purchase, but with a pedigree of providing excellent dental care (from a company that make an electric toothbrush for dogs!) this is definitely a product to bark about.

Sentry Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste

Sentry Pet Care Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste 6.2oz Tube

• Hydrogen-peroxide producing formula does not foam, so no rinsing is necessary. Helps control plaque...
• Package Description: 6.2 oz. (175 g)
• Serving Size: ..

£16.95

Check Price

OK, so Sentry has a limited number of reviews but so far users speak with one voice, which is “Total satisfaction”. Not only do dogs tolerate the taste, but they line up in anticipation of having their teeth brushed.

Overall Value

Sentry is another enzymatic toothpaste, which works to breakdown plaque and prevent it hardening into tartar. This is in addition to the gentle abrasive benefits of brushing which physically wipe away sludge from the surface of the teeth.

On first inspection £14.99 seems a lot for a tube of toothpaste, even an enzymatic one, but appearances can be deceiving given this is 190g, and therefore x2.5 the size of regular tubes, which considerably improves the value for money. Sentry should definitely be on any pet parent’s shopping list that is serious about their dog’s dental health.

Virbac Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs

No products found.

Another enzymatic product, this is stocked by vets as a tried and trusted product for removing plaque.

Although lacking the VOHC seal of approval, this is a product is more than just an abrasive cleaner, as it uses enzymes to break down the proteins that cause plaque to accumulate. Plaque is the slimy substance that coats teeth after eating. When acted upon by bacteria, the plaque hardens into tartar, so ridding the teeth of this coating is key to good dental health.

Overall Value

Virbac is that rare product, in that it consistently scores highly with satisfied users actually noticing some of the heavier tartar deposits breaking down and dissolving. Another impressive feature is that even dogs who have previously turned their noses up at toothpaste, seem to adore the poultry flavour. Indeed, many dogs simply love the taste the taste so much that their pet parents can take their time to clean every single tooth.

The major drawback with this product is the price. However, this should be balanced against the considerable cost of professional descaling should things get that bad.

Choosing the best dog toothpaste. Out thoughts

If you think all toothpastes are the same, then think again.

This is certainly one product where you get what you pay for, but it also pays to be a savvy shopper. At the lower price point you’re purchasing a product that makes tooth brushing more acceptable to a reluctant dog, but the main benefit is the physical removal of food debris by brushing rather than the action of the toothpaste.

At the other end of the price point, more expensive products have a number of add-on dental health benefits, such as staying active in the mouth for longer, breaking up plaque, and making the mouth a more hostile place for bacteria to prosper. DDT Review Team

The savvy shopper bit comes in when you recognize you can obtain a product with the features of top end toothpastes, but with a less breath-taking price tag. When your priority is to optimize dental health and reduce the risk of needing dental attention under anaesthetic then look for a product that has:

• An enzymatic action
• Adheres well to the teeth
• Has an appealing flavour (for dogs!)
• Has proven clinical benefits breaking down plaque
• Continues to act even after you’ve finished brushing

Whatever product you chose, know that a tasty toothpaste does make the task of brushing your dog’s teeth so much easier and the act of physically brushing away debris has benefits. Even an inexpensive toothpaste is going to improve your dog’s breath making it ‘beefy fresh’, plus get you into good habits by brushing. So go for it! Banish bad breath and give your dog something to smile about by trying out a dog toothpaste.

Let us know your experiences with doggy toothpastes, and leave a comment below.