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Have you ever considered brushing your dog’s teeth? Not many people have, but like humans, dogs should have their teeth brushed regularly. They can get cavities just like us, and a lot of dry dog foods are high in carbohydrates that cause tooth decay. This can sometimes result in gum disease and painful infections, which can only end in expensive and unnecessary trips to the vets. It is recommended that you brush your dog’s teeth every day, but this can be unnecessary if your dog is healthy. Three times a week should be fine, especially if you are thorough. If your dog is on a low carbohydrate diet, such as the Raw Food diet, you won’t need to brush their teeth as regularly, but it is still recommended. You can also help maintain their oral health by giving them chew toys that will help clean their teeth. Be careful which ones you buy though, because some contain massive amounts of sugar, and so will actually do more harm than good.
Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth Is Important
You can buy special dog toothbrushes that have extra soft bristles and are a better shape for a dog’s mouth. They come in a wide range of sizes too, so make sure you look for the best size to suit your dog. If you have to use a human toothbrush in a pinch, use a child’s one, because the bristles on an adult’s toothbrush are far too stiff. Never use human toothpaste to brush a dog’s teeth either. Dog toothpaste comes in loads of flavors your dog will love, and human toothpaste contains chemicals that may be harmful to your beloved pooch.
It is best to establish a routine for brushing your dog’s teeth because they likely won’t enjoy it to begin with. Find a time of day that they are particularly calm, such as early morning or late evening. Start by getting them introduced to the toothbrush, let them smell it and lick it. Then put a bit of the toothpaste on your finger so they can get used to the taste. Next put some on the toothbrush so they can lick it off. If you do this a few times before you try brushing their teeth it should make everything a lot easier.
Why Should You Buy A ToothBrush & ToothPaste For Your Dog?
- When you first start brushing your dog’s teeth, make sure you keep them calm. Don’t try to hold them down or stand over them. Instead, kneel at their side or sit in front of them.
- If your dog gets anxious or stressed it might be best to stop. You don’t want them to choke on the toothbrush!
- Try touching your dog’s gums with your finger to get them used to the feeling. This should make the actual brushing easier.
- Make sure you lift their lip to expose the gums and teeth; this will make your job much easier.
- Brush with small gentle motions, just as you would your own. Pay extra attention to the cheek-facing side of their teeth and the back molars because this is where most of the plaque will build up.
- Reward your dog with lots of love (and maybe a small treat) once you have finished. This will also make it easier next time you try to brush their teeth.
To help you get on your way to keeping your dog’s teeth clean, this article has collected together some of the best dog toothbrushes and toothpaste available online, and compared them to make sure you get the best products for your dog.
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Ask a Vet Live NowBest Dog ToothBrush & ToothPaste You Can Buy
1. Bluestem Dog Toothpaste and Toothbrush
This brilliant pack from Bluestem contains both a toothbrush and toothpaste to save you having to shop around. The toothpaste is chicken flavor, which your dog will love, and is made with dog-friendly ingredients that fight plaque and bad breath. The toothbrush has a specially designed dual head to reach both sides of the teeth at once. This will make the job much quicker and easier.
All of the ingredients in the toothpaste are food-grade, meaning it is perfectly safe for your dog. It is alcohol, xylitol, and sugar free too. Bluestem claims the toothpaste contains a special ingredient that is designed to break down biofilm on your dog’s teeth, which is where bacteria multiply. This will result in less build-up on your dog’s teeth, and fresher breath. This pack would make a great choice for a quick start brushing your dog’s teeth.
2. Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste
While this is just toothpaste on its own, it’s included on this list because it’s such a good one. Petrodex have designed an effective toothpaste that works quickly to fight plaque build-up and tartar. Rather than using an abrasive ingredient like other toothpastes, this one uses a special enzyme to breakdown the food particles and bacteria in your dog’s mouth. This will be very similar to the enzymes already present in their mouth.
The toothpaste is specially formulated for dogs with no harmful chemicals, and it’s poultry flavor. It doesn’t contain any foaming agents either, so it’s perfectly safe to ingest. The special enzymes will help fight bad breath at its source by getting rid of plaque and bits of food. If you already have a toothbrush for your dog, get this toothpaste.
3. H&H Pets Professional Dog Toothbrush
H&H Pets have designed a special finger brush that will make it much easier to clean smaller mouths. You simply put it on the end of your finger, squeeze some toothpaste on, and brush! Because it’s smaller you’ll have much better control over the brushing too. It is made of FDA grade material so will be perfectly safe to use regularly.
The bristles have been specially designed to curve instead of lying flat, making it easy to reach their back teeth. H&H also sell it in a range of sizes for even the smallest mouths, and they come in packs of 4 or 8. There is also a dual headed version available too. If you have a small dog, such as a pug or Jack Russell, it will be difficult to get a toothbrush into the corners of their mouth. This will be the perfect solution.
4. Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dental Gel Dog Toothpaste and Toothbrush
Unlike other toothpastes on the list, this one from Vet’s Best is a gel, and isn’t meat flavored. It contains enzymes that break down plaque and tartar, and help fight bad breath. Vet’s Best even include a toothbrush in the pack. This one has a triple head that cleans from all sides of the teeth at once, making the job extra speedy.
The toothpaste contains no harmful chemicals, and no added sugar. It uses ingredients such as aloe and grapefruit seed extract to help fight bad breath, and baking soda for a mild abrasion to help polish your dog’s teeth. It also contains natural flavors your dog will love. The special ingredients are designed to a veterinary formula so you know it will do a good job fighting harmful bacteria. If your dog isn’t too happy with many standard types of toothpaste, this one will be a good choice.
5. FOMATE Dog Toothbrush
FOMATE have designed this toothbrush for convenience. It has a long curved handle, and so will be ideal for use on bigger dogs. The handle measures 5.7 inches in length, and because it’s curved it will be very easy to reach their back teeth and gums. This toothbrush is specially designed to clean off plaque and tartar easily, and massage gums to stimulate blood flow. This will help keep your dog’s teeth healthier.
The head of the toothbrush is made of silicon, and has rubber bristles instead of nylon. This means it will actually be softer on your dog’s gums, and would be a good choice if your dog doesn’t like regular toothbrushes. The silicon is very soft and bends easily, meaning you can brush their teeth with ease. It is double sided too, with different thickness bristles for different areas of the teeth. Choose this brush if you have a bigger dog, or if your dog doesn’t like the regular nylon bristles.
6. Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental Kit
Nylabone offer a complete oral hygiene kit, with both toothbrush and toothpaste. They sell different packs specially designed for puppies, adult, and senior dogs, which means you should be able to find the best sized brush. The puppy brush is extra small and soft, and designed to gently massage their teeth and gums. Similarly, the senior brush is also very soft. The brush has an angled neck to help reach the back of your dog’s mouth, and the nylon bristles help clean between teeth.
The toothbrush is made with food-grade ingredients, and comes in flavors your dog will love. It contains a special ingredient to help fight plaque and tartar by neutralizing bacteria in your dog’s mouth. This will help your dog to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and better breath. Each pack also contains a finger brush, and Nylabone sell a triple action toothpaste to help combat all causes of tooth decay. This one would be ideal if you have some work to do on your dog’s teeth.
7. RosyLife Dog Toothbrush
This is a great pack from RosyLife. It contains loads of different sized toothbrushes, and some finger brushes too. The brushes have one large and one small end, which will reach all areas of your dog’s mouth. They are made of high quality plastic and nylon bristles. Nylon bristles will help get between dog’s teeth, which is where most of the harmful bacteria builds up.
The finger brushes are all made of food-grade silicone, and are very soft and flexible. These will be better for smaller dogs, or dogs that don’t like regular toothbrushes. There are several of each type of brush in the pack, meaning this would be a great choice if you’ve got several dogs.
8. Greenies Original Dog Dental Chew
While this product from Greenies isn’t an actual toothbrush, it is a chew treat that is designed to help with your dog’s oral health. Each pack contains 22 chews, and they come in a variety of sizes for different dogs. These should be used alongside brushing and will help reduce plaque and tartar build-up. The chews are designed in the shape of a toothbrush to help reach all the way to the gum line, and to the back of the mouth.
The chews are made entirely with natural ingredients that are chosen to maintain oral health. They come in a variety of flavors, and even a grain free version for if your dog is intolerant. All of the ingredients are easy to digest and the treats are nutritionally balanced. They contain all the essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs, and the chewy texture helps to clean teeth and freshen breath. Your dog is sure to love these treats, and they will help with your brushing routine.
9. Arm & Hammer Advanced Care Dental Spray
Arm & Hammer have designed this spray as an alternative to brushing. It is specifically to combat tartar build-up, which is the main cause of bad breath. It also contains ingredients that help whiten your dog’s teeth. The spray comes in a refreshing mint flavor to help fight bad breath immediately. All of the ingredients are completely natural and safe for your dog.
To use this product, simply lift your dog’s lips and spray directly onto their teeth and gums. Your dog may dislike this at first, but they will get used to it. It’s best to not let your dog eat or drink for a while after so that the spray can work effectively. If your dog hates having their teeth brushed, this spray would be a good choice for keeping their teeth clean. It would be wise to use other methods of teeth cleaning with this spray, such as special chews or toys.
10. Posh Wag Dog Toothpaste and Toothbrush
This pack from Posh Wag has all the things you need to keep your dog’s teeth nice and clean. It comes with two tubes of toothpaste, a double-headed toothbrush, and a finer brush. The toothpaste is specially designed to help fight plaque and tartar, along with freshening breath. It’s beef flavor too, so your dog should love the taste.
The toothpaste is made from natural ingredients, and doesn’t contain any xylitol or sugar. It is made with special enzymes that help break down plaque, as well as strengthening your dog’s teeth. There is also a mild whitening agent too, but it’s nothing too strong, so you can use it regularly. This pack would be a great choice if you need a starter pack for brushing your dog’s teeth, or if you have several dogs to brush. Considering everything that comes in the pack, this is great value for money.
11. Tropiclean Fresh Breath Teeth Gel
Tropiclean have created a tooth cleaning gel that doesn’t require a toothbrush. You simply apply a couple of drops to each side of your dog’s teeth and let the gel do all the work! It is designed to freshen breath by removing plaque and tartar deposits, and it works really quickly. You should see results after only a few days of regular use.
All of the ingredients are completely natural and safe for your dog. The main active ingredient is green tea, which is a natural source of fluoride. Fluoride is an ingredient in many human types of toothpaste, which helps fight bacteria and plaque. Tropiclean have even decaffeinated the green tea, so it shouldn’t have any bad effects on your dog. It also contains tiny amounts of natural alcohol as an antibacterial agent, and is mildly flavored with mint. This gel would be a great choice if your dog doesn’t like having their teeth brushed.
12. Oxyfresh Premium Pet Dental Care Solution
This solution from Oxyfresh is another good alternative if your dog doesn’t like having their teeth brushed. You simply add a capful of the solution to their drinking water every day, and it enters your dog’s digestive system. From there it comes out in their saliva and helps fight tooth decay and plaque build-up. It contains a special ingredient specifically designed for dogs to help keep their teeth clean.
All of the ingredients in this solution are completely natural, and it doesn’t contain any alcohol, parabens, flavorings, or dyes. It is designed to be safe enough for daily use, and you should see results in a few days. The solution combats bad breath by attacking the cause – harmful bacteria and plaque. If your dog has particularly bad breath and doesn’t like brushing, this solution will be an ideal choice.
13. Arm & Hammer Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Arm & Hammer sell a pack with all the things you need to get started. It contains both a normal toothbrush and a finger brush, so you will be able to get into all of those hard to reach areas. The toothbrush has dual heads to reach all corners of your dog’s mouth, and uses nylon bristles to get in between the teeth. The finger brush is made from food grade silicone, and is nice and soft.
The toothpaste is designed to fight plaque and tartar build-up, and helps to eliminate bad breath. All of the ingredients are completely natural and selected for their effectiveness in cleaning teeth. Arm & Hammer sell several different kinds of toothpaste, such as tartar control and gum health, and it comes in a wide variety of flavors. There is both meat and ginger flavors, so you’ll be sure to find one your dog loves. The toothpaste is gentle enough to be used regularly, and will be a good choice for your go-to toothpaste.
14. SENTRY Petrodex Dental Care Kit for Dogs
This is another great pack from Petrodex, and comes with both a toothbrush and toothpaste. The toothbrush has a long handle, so this would be a great choice for bigger dogs. It also has a specially designed head that cleans all round your dog’s mouth at once. There is a second smaller head on the other end to help reach the back molars and gums.
The toothpaste is a solid gel, and is designed to fight plaque and tartar. It is poultry flavored, but contains a small amount of mint to help freshen breath. It also contains chlorophyll for fresh breath, and a mildly abrasive ingredient to help polish and whiten teeth. The pack also contains a finger brush for smaller dogs, and to help you massage the gums. This pack would be a great choice for bigger dogs because of the long brush.
15. Triple Pet EZ Dog Toothbrush
Triple Pet has designed a brilliant toothbrush for cleaning your dog’s teeth. It has a very soft and comfortable handle that is ergonomically designed to for comfortably in your hand. It is also dishwasher safe, making it much easier to clean. Just a warning though, don’t use any dishwasher tablets or salts if you do clean it because these will be harmful to your dog.
The toothbrush has a special head that cleans both sides of your dog’s teeth at once. It also has a flat head to help clean the top of their teeth and massage gums, along with a tongue cleaner at the base of the handle. Triple Pet sell brushes specifically for small and large dogs, so make sure you choose the right size. This would make a good regular brush for your dog because of all of its different features. Triple Pet also sell a great range of toothpastes, so make sure you pick one up while you’re there.
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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