Last Updated: August 8, 2023
While brushing your teeth every day, have you ever wondered if your curious pooch also needs to clean its teeth?
To care for their oral health, you don’t just need any but the best dog toothpaste that is safe, gentle, and also 100% effective.
It may seem superfluous to some but dogs too can also develop tooth decay, cavities, and oral odor when deprived of proper grooming.
So as a dog parent, you must add a dog toothpaste to your pet care essentials from our curated list that we have sorted after reviewing the endless promising options in the market.
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10 Best Dog Toothpaste For Tartar & Bad Breath
Virbac CET Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste Controls Bad Breath & Tartar Formation

Topping our list is Vibrac C.E.T, one of the most popular and best dog toothpaste brands winning the trust of millions of pet owners for more than 30 years. Its safe enzymatic formula ensures zero side effects on your dog if swallowed.
A transparent and safe composition that visibly reduces plaque and bad breath both in dogs and cats.
Get this best-rated dog toothpaste available in 3 drooling flavors like beef, poultry, and vanilla mint that your dog will crave.
Its specially formulated dual enzyme system is more abrasive on tartar build-ups while gently cleansing the oral cavity.
Contains no foaming agents and so is safe for your dog even if ingested.
Widely recommended by the vets to be applied with a soft-bristled dog toothbrush based only on specific directions.
What we liked
- Impessive composition
- Safe dual enzyme formula
- Suitable for dogs and cats
- Reduce plaque and tarter
- Eliminates oral odor
- Available in 3 drooling flavors
- No foaming agents
- Creamy formula
- Zero side effects on ingestion
- Safe for daily use
What we didn’t like
- Some dogs may not like vanilla flavor
- Some customers have said that toothpaste has a low shelf life so you need to use it regularly to consume it.
Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste For Plaque, Bad Breath & Tartar Buildup

This poultry flavor enzymatic dog toothpaste is one of the best for removing the tartar. Your search will end here if you want to sparkle up your dog’s teeth. Its non-foaming formula requires no hassle of rinsing and is safe for all dog breeds.
Specially formulated dog toothpaste to effectively reduce tartar, plaque, and in removing bad breath.
Contains patented enzymes that visibly whiten your dog’s teeth and its no-foaming formula requires no rinsing.
This Petrodex enzymatic toothpaste has a delicious poultry flavor to make your dog’s teeth cleaning hassle-free.
Gently massage their gums using a finger toothbrush with the paste on to lend a polishing effect in just 2 weeks.
One of the best dog grooming products to ensure oral hygiene.
Recommended for use with a soft-bristle toothbrush or a finger toothbrush at least thrice a week.
What we liked
- Available in peanut and poultry flavors
- Fights tartar, plaque, and bad breath
- Polishes teeth
- No rinsing is needed
- Safe for all breeds
- Easy to use
- Safe for puppies
What we didn’t like
- The smell of the toothpaste is not good
Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Natural Dog Dental Kit With Toothpaste & Brush

Give your dog the ultimate oral care with this advanced dental care kit by Nylabone. This is one of the best natural dog toothpaste for bad breath that must be used with the included toothbrush to get those visibly pearly whites.
Its advanced scientific formulation containing Denta-C effectively helps in removing tartar, plaque and also improves bad breath.
Use the included toothbrush for better reach to inaccessible corners of your dog’s oral cavity for satisfactory cleaning.
The toothpaste has a natural allergen-free peanut flavor to happily convince your dog for a regular dental care routine.
This 2.5-ounce paste is highly recommended by the vets to promote your pooch’s oral health and also in reducing the risks of periodontal disease.
What we liked
- Kit contains toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a finger brush
- 2.5 ounces of scientifically formulated toothpaste
- Effectively removes tartar, plaque, and food debris
- Freshens breath
- Easy to use angled toothbrush makes cleaning easy
- Delicious peanut flavor
- Budget-friendly
- Improve gum health
- No rinsing is required
- Have no side effects if swallowed
What we didn’t like
- The brush isn’t suitable for puppies
Petrodex Natural Dog Toothpaste

This is another top pet product by Petrodex that visibly helps to improve your dog’s oral hygiene without any hassle of rinsing. Its proprietary formula is safe for all dog breeds including the pups.
Contains herbal ingredients with a perfect blend of scientific formulation that is harsh on plaque and build-ups but gentle on the enamel.
Has a delicious peanut flavor that will make your dog’s daily dental care routine easy and effective.
The best natural dog toothpaste for removing tartar with no artificial preservatives and additives causing no harm if swallowed.
Helps improving gum health and removes food debris from hard reaching corners of their oral cavity.
You can use this dog toothpaste at least thrice a week for visible pearly teeth and fresh breath.
What we liked
- Safe for puppies
- Fights bad breath
- Removes tartar, plaque, and food debris
- Polishes teeth
- Available in poultry and peanut flavors
- No rinsing is needed
- Improves gum health
- Contain natural teeth whitening agents
- No artificial preservatives and additives
- Zero side effects
- A gel toothpaste
What we didn’t like
- The toothpaste does not smell like peanut butter
Vet’s Enzymatic Natural Dog Toothpaste

Your pet grooming at home will become easy with this vet-recommended dog toothpaste. This toothpaste is formulated to address all your dog’s oral issues related to gums, teeth, and bad breath.
Natural ingredients like aloe, neem oil, and grapefruit give a soothing effect to your dog while brushing.
The anti-bacterial properties of neem oil remove bacteria and microorganisms that are present in the cavity.
The toothpaste is highly effective in removing plaque and tartar and promotes healthy gums and teeth while refreshing your dog’s breath.
For best results, it is recommended to brush your dog’s teeth with this gel-based toothpaste 2 to 3 times a week, and avoid giving food and water to your dog for at least half an hour.
One of the healthy pet products with grape flavor that will make your dog super excited and happy during their oral cleaning time.
This specially formulated natural dog toothpaste contains natural ingredients that effectively fight bacteria to help reduce bad breath.
This vegan toothpaste is the best among the lot in the market at a reasonable price.
What we liked
- Natural dog toothpaste with aloe, neem oil, and grapefruits seed extract
- Removes plaque, tartar, and promotes fresh breath
- Fights bacteria, oral odor and promotes healthy teeth and gums
- Gives instant fresh breath when applied to dog’s tongue
- No rinsing needed
- Ideal all dog breeds
- Reasonable price
What we didn’t like
- Some users have reported their dog getting sick after brushing teeth with this toothpaste. We recommend you consult your vet before buying this.
Oxyfresh Pet Gel Toothpaste For Dogs

- One of the best dog toothpaste for its effective gel formula that visibly cleanses teeth, freshens breath, and soothes gum
- Remove plaque and tartar
- Contain no additive flavors, dyes, alcohol, and Xylitol
- Ideal for picky cats and dogs with 100% safe ingredients
- The gel is a perfect blend of mother nature and science
- No brushing is needed
- Easy to use with a dog toothbrush or finger brush
- Contain a soothing blend of Oxygene, aloe, and chamomile
- A Leaping Bunny certified product
- Perfect for daily use
- Cruelty-free and non-toxic product
- No harmful effect on pets if swallowed
- Since the toothpaste does not have any flavor it will not be an ideal choice if you are planning to start brushing your dog’s teeth for the first time.
- Few customers have reported that the toothpaste has a smell of chlorine due to which dogs show resistance while brushing teeth.
Pet King Brands Oratene Brushless Toothpaste Gel for Dogs

- Impressive ingredients list with soothing aloe formula that effectively whitens teeth, and freshens breath
- A best-rated dog toothpaste that supports gum health and is ideal for daily use
- No brushing or rinsing is required
- Effectively fights plaque and gum diseases
- A top pet product with no harsh chemicals, Xylitol, and alcohol
- Patented dual enzyme system to regulate your pet’s oral pH
- Helps to cure the dry oral cavity
- Its non-drying formula helps to control excess salivation
- This 100% non-toxic toothpaste is ideal for dogs and cats
- Suitable for pets of all ages
- Has a pleasant flavor
- Recommended for daily use
- Some customers have reported that the toothpaste is easy to apply but does not make much difference in removing bad breath and tartar buildup.
Bluestem Dog Toothpaste and Toothbrush Combo

- A complete dental care kit for dogs for easy pet grooming at home
- This chicken-flavored dog toothpaste comes with a toothbrush
- The specially formulated toothpaste has food-grade ingredients that help to remove plaque, tartar and improves breath
- A clinically tested toothpaste in vitro that promotes good oral health
- Free from allergens, Xylitol, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners
- The smartly designed dual-ended angled toothbrush helps cleaning every corner of your dog’s oral cavity
- Safe and no rinsing formula
- This health pet product will not upset your dog’s stomach if ingested
- Ideal for dogs of all ages
- A pea-size amount is ideal for daily oral care
- Friendly customer service
- The toothbrush that comes with this pack is not ideal for puppies or small breed dogs
CET Toothpaste for Dogs, Seafood Flavor

- A scientifically formulated dog toothpaste that effectively removes tartar build-ups along the gum lines
- This seafood-flavored enzymatic toothpaste helps to eliminate mouth odors
- Its non-foaming formula has no side effects if swallowed
- Made from safe ingredients which are ideal for dogs
- Its regular application helps to prevent bacteria and plaque formation
- Free from fluoride and other abrasive agents
- Available in 5 drooling flavors
- Easy to use
- Reasonably priced
- You can use this toothpaste daily but we recommend consulting your vet regarding the usage pattern
- Some customers have reported that the seafood flavor worsens dog’s breath
Nylabone Advanced Oral Dog Toothpaste For Tartar

- An advanced dog toothpaste with Denta-C that helps to promote and maintain your dog’s oral hygiene
- One of the best dog toothpaste for removing tartar, plaque, and bacterial growth
- Scientifically formulated to support gum health and eliminate bad breath
- Ideal for adult and senior dogs
- Easy to apply and can be used daily
- This dog toothpaste foams and cleans your dog’s teeth but rinsing is not needed
- Infused with pet-friendly original flavor
- Great product for the price
- Use a standard dog toothbrush for best results
- The toothpaste is thick and dries if kept in open for long. The toothpaste cap may get stuck if you do not clean the cap before closing the tube.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dog Toothpaste
How much dog toothpaste to use?
If you have convinced your dog of a regular oral care routine, the next question that pops is how much quantity of toothpaste you should use.
Well, that depends on the flavor of the dog toothpaste and the condition of their oral cavity.
Canines too can develop oral problems which often turn severe than in humans simply because of mere ignorance.
So, it’s important that you make it a routine to brush your dog’s teeth regularly with good toothpaste to eliminate bad breath and tartar.
Experts suggest that a pea-size amount of toothpaste is enough for their daily oral care than an inconsistent routine.
How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?
When you are proud dog parents, you must care for their dental health like yours to keep problems at bay.
But the only condition to ensure their oral hygiene is you shouldn’t be inconsistent and make sure to brush their fangs regularly with vet-approved dog toothpaste.
Dogs have a maximum chance of developing tartar, plaque, and foul odor because of their diet that mostly includes animal protein or for the habit of chewing random things.
So if you want your dog’s teeth to be pearly white and remove bad breath, get them used to a regular oral care routine.
Is it ok to use human toothpaste on dogs?
Are you talking about that regular tube that you use for your teeth?
Then the answer is heck no you cannot use human toothpaste to clean the teeth of your pooch.
For their oral care, you need to use only dog toothpaste or specially formulated dental wash for dogs that are free from artificial sweeteners and additives.
If you are clueless about which toothpaste to buy, you can buy from the ones we have reviewed in this article.
Cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly is a must but never with human toothpaste as it contains Xylitol which is toxic for your four-legged.
So whenever you try brushing their teeth always use a deliciously flavored dog toothpaste to achieve optimum visible results and minimum resistance from your dog.
Is dog toothpaste necessary?
Just like yours, your dog’s dental health also reflects its overall health.
So it’s crucial you must invest in the best dog grooming products and dog toothpaste to care for their oral health.
You may think that dog toothpaste is an overrated product and cleaning your dog’s teeth is irrelevant.
Ask any vet, they would pile up several cases for you to think otherwise where unhygienic oral health is the sole reason leading to periodontal diseases and other ailments.
Your dog’s teeth go through a lot of abuse that wears out the enamel and forms cavities.
This is why you must use standard dog toothpaste for brushing if you don’t want any germ-infested licking and petting.
Is dog toothpaste safe?
Most dog toothpaste is generally safe as they have a proprietary formulation that is completely different than human toothpaste.
But at the same time, you need to be extra cautious while selecting the right toothpaste for your pooch by reading the ingredients list and specified instructions.
Talking about how safe are dog toothpastes, there is nothing to fear about if it is vet recommended (which we have listed in this article).
Dog toothpaste has an enzymatic formula that effortlessly removes the plaque, freshens breath, and has no toxic effect on your dog if swallowed.
All you need to do is playfully insert a toothbrush with the paste, or you can also use a finger brush to let your dog chew and self-clean its oral cavity.
What if my dog eats toothpaste?
That is not at all a concern to pay attention to unless you ignored our warning and used human toothpaste to clean your dog’s teeth.
Dog toothpaste for removing plaque, tartar, and bad breath is enzymatic, has non-foaming ingredients, and will have no side effect on them if ingested.
Strictly avoid using human toothpaste if you don’t want your dog to get infections and other health issues.
Another way to ensure if ingesting the paste won’t upset their health is to buy only the vet-recommended toothpaste that is allergen-free and contains safe natural ingredients.
However, if you notice any reaction after using the paste on its very first use, consult with your vet immediately to find the underlying cause and change the toothpaste if required.
What is the difference between dog toothpaste and human toothpaste?
There is a huge difference in composition between a dog and human toothpaste but still, most dog owners often confuse themselves if they can use theirs to brush their dog’s teeth.
We are happy that you are concerned about your dog’s oral care.
Have you ever looked at the ingredients of the toothpaste you use?
If the list still hasn’t convinced you yet of why you should avoid using them on your pet then let’s understand the differences between them.
1. Most of our toothpaste has toxic compositions containing fluoride, xylitol, sorbitol, artificial additives, and sweeteners which are even harmful to us. Whereas, dog toothpaste is mostly enzymatic and has non-foaming ingredients which don’t harm their health if ingested. In fact, the enzymes effectively help to eliminate plaque, bacteria and fight bad breath without any side effects.
2. You won’t find much variety in human toothpaste when it comes to your choice of flavor. But dogs are quite lucky here, as they have multiple options like poultry, peanut, chicken, grape, and other delicious flavors to choose from.
Dog toothpaste is every way different than human toothpaste and hence you must use only the ones that are made for your dog’s oral health.
Will dog toothpaste expire?
Every product comes with a manufacturing and expiry date and so does a dog toothpaste.
Always look for the expiry date before you buy the product or as soon as you get it delivered to your doorstep.
Some dog toothpaste has a low shelf life, they change color and go bad if kept for a long duration of time.
So make sure you are not delaying too much, or else using an expired dog toothpaste may make your dog sick.
Some users have mentioned side effects like vomiting or nausea in dogs when using expired dog toothpaste, but not any toxic reactions have been reported.
Another disadvantage of using an expired dog toothpaste is that the ingredients won’t work as effectively as they would have if used within the specified period.
This is why we recommend brushing your dog’s teeth daily to get the optimum benefits of dog toothpaste and ensure the health of those pearly whites.
Is dog toothpaste safe for humans?
We are flabbergasted why humans are even asking this?
This is perhaps the perfect example of experimenting gone too far.
But we don’t mind responding to your queries with proven facts so that you don’t have to try weird things by yourself.
The dental structures of dogs and humans are way different and the toothpaste made for dogs is specially formulated with enzymes that are safe for them even if they swallow it.
But that doesn’t make dog toothpaste safe for you to use.
Except for few ingredients, both dog and human toothpaste share the same ingredients like sorbitol, additives, and flavors which don’t make much difference to our dental health.
However, sometimes for the sake of convincing your dog why brushing is important and how awesome the toothpaste taste, you may take a small amount inside your mouth but rinse it immediately like you do when using your toothpaste.
What can I use if I don’t have dog toothpaste?
For pet grooming at home, it’s not always necessary to buy expensive pet care products.
Some products like dog toothpaste can be easily made at home without compromising on results.
Sometimes, when you are unsure about which toothpaste is safe for your pet or find the ingredients list suspicious, you can try making dog toothpaste in simple DIY steps using natural ingredients.
While making dog toothpaste at home, you must mind the flavor as it is the only thing that can convince your dog to brush.
To make dog toothpaste at home you will need
(a) 1 tablespoon of beef/chicken broth/peanut butter mixed in 1 tablespoon of hot water
(b) 2 tablespoons of baking soda
(c) Required amount of coconut oil to mix all the mixture well
Now blend all these in a bowl and store them in an air-tight container.
Use this DIY toothpaste daily to rub your dog’s teeth and gum using a finger brush for optimal benefit.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best dog toothpaste can get trickier when you have so many promising options to choose from.
While selecting the ideal toothpaste for pets, we are often lured by grand claims without caring about the ingredients used.
So as a dog parent, it’s your responsibility to buy the best pet products backed by positive reviews in the market.
To save you from investing in products that are not suitable, we have listed some of the best dog toothpaste that you can consider for your pooch.
On a safer note, you can try our homemade dog toothpaste recipe for complete peace of mind.
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About Me
I am Chhavi Kumari, passionate dog lover and devoted blogger sharing tips, insights, and love for all things canine. Honoring the memory of cherished Dobermans while inspiring a happy, healthy life with your furry companion.