- There are many dog dental care products to choose from, including dog toothpaste and toothbrushes, no-brush dental gels, water additives, and dental chews.
- We tested 17 dog dental care products and selected the best ones based on the effectiveness of their ingredients, affordability, and whether they are easy to use.
- This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Karie Johnson, veterinarian and co-founder of VIP Vet Visit, a mobile vet service in the south suburbs of Chicago.
I’ve long understood the importance of brushing my dog’s teeth. Years ago, I worked as a veterinary assistant where I saw firsthand what happens when a pet’s teeth are not taken care of. Sadly, it’s all too common to see teeth extracted during routine dental cleanings due to years of neglect.
“Proper dental care is a vital component of your pet’s overall health and well-being,” said veterinarian Dr. Ashlee Redmond. “Bad breath isn’t just an unpleasant smell — it could be a warning sign of more serious dental disease.”
There are many dog toothpastes and toothbrushes to choose from as well as no-brush gels, water additives, and dental chews. Redmond pointed out that home dental care products do not replace daily brushing or professional dental cleanings, but they can be supportive of overall dental health.
Dog dental products can help prevent the formation of plaque and tartar in between cleanings. Veterinarians recommend professional dental cleanings at least once a year. These are performed just like human dental cleanings, but dogs must be anesthetized so the veterinarian can clean under the gum line where plaque and tartar hide.
For this guide, I tested 17 dental products with my dog, giving strong consideration to those that have received the seal of acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). All the products we tested also got the okay from Redmond to rule out anything that could be potentially unsafe. Read more about how we selected and tested products at the end of this guide.
Prices and links are current as of 1/08/2021. We are currently testing additional products for an update to this guide.