Best Dog Toothpaste Brands for Optimal Mouth Health

Virbac C.E.T. (which stands for "Clean Every Tooth") is one of the top dental care brands recommended by veterinarians, and for good reason. Virbac has been creating oral health solutions for more than five decades, so their products are thoroughly researched and safe for everyday use.

Their dog toothpaste contains enzymes through their signature Dual-Enzyme System that prevent plaque formation, which will keep your dog's mouth healthy and leave their breath smelling fresh. It comes in five tasty flavors, including poultry, beef, seafood, malt, and vanilla-mint. The latter two might not sound like they'd be appealing to dogs, but a lot of pets actually prefer these sweeter ones. The vanilla-mint formula is a great option for dogs with food allergies because it's free of animal or grain proteins.

Bonus: these toothpastes are safe for both dogs and cats, so you can use the same tube for any felines in the house. And if you decide toothbrushing isn't for you, you can still get the benefits of oral enzymes through the C.E.T. water additives or tasty chews.

Among the various brands available, SENTRY Petrodex's enzymatic toothpaste is praised for being the tastiest. But it doesn't just cater to your dog's tastebuds - it's beneficial for their oral health, too. This paste contains disease-fighting enzymes and natural abrasives that work to control plaque. Its hydrogen peroxide-producing ingredients can also help reduce stubborn tartar. This toothpaste is available in two flavors: poultry and peanut.

If you're just starting your toothbrushing journey, you can grab one of the Petrodex dental care kits. They come complete with a smaller tube of paste (so you can see how your dog likes it first), a soft, double-ended toothbrush, and a finger toothbrush.

No one knows dog oral health like the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), and Petsmile's Professional Pet Toothpaste is the only paste that currently meets the council's criteria. This toothpaste contains an innovative formula called Calprox, which keeps bacteria from sticking to the tooth surface, so your dog's teeth and gums stay healthy. The formula is also free of rough abrasives that can harm tooth enamel.

But the question stands; can something so beneficial actually taste good? Paw yeah, it does! Among Petsmile's drool-inducing flavor names ("London Broil," "Rotisserie Chicken," and "Say Cheese"), the London Broil variety is a fan favorite.

As the name implies, the Vetoquinol brand focuses on veterinary pharmaceuticals and supplements, which veterinarians highly recommend. So, it's no wonder their Enzadent oral health line is a top choice. Their enzymatic toothpaste breaks down bacteria to reduce plaque buildup while also containing an abrasive ingredient (calcium carbonate) that gently cleans teeth.

This paste is highly palatable, so most dogs tend to eat it right up. However, if your dog isn't a fan of chicken, they might not take to it, because the Enzadent toothpaste is only available in poultry flavor. In addition to the paste, this brand has a dog toothbrush and toothpaste combo kit that's great for beginners or for use while traveling.

That's right - Arm & Hammer makes dog toothpaste in addition to human dental care products. And you guessed it - it also contains baking soda. Baking soda helps break down dental tartar thanks to its gentle abrasiveness and antibacterial properties. Plus, it brightens teeth and leaves breath smelling fresh. But don't worry; this toothpaste is safe for dogs to swallow in appropriate amounts!

Within the Arm & Hammer pet dental care line, they offer products based on three different needs: Tartar Control, Gum Health, and Fresh Breath. All contain slightly different ingredients based on the purpose of the product. Their toothpaste flavors are beef, chicken, banana, and vanilla-ginger. In addition to toothpaste, Arm & Hammer also makes tartar control "mints" for dogs, water additive, and an easy dental spray.

Life happens, so you might forget to brush your dog's teeth some days. There's no shame in turning to a treat-like option every once in a while or even long-term (if you've found your dog won't tolerate brushing). ORAVET Chews incorporate the friction of chewing to remove plaque from the tooth's surface while active ingredients in the product prevent bacteria buildup. One of the unique things about these chews is that they contain delmopinol, an anti-plaque agent that forms a protective barrier around the teeth.

Sounds pretty great, right? Well, the Veterinary Oral Health Council thought so, too, which is why they put these ORAVET Chews on their list of VOHC Accepted Products for Dogs. As a bonus, dogs love the chicken and vanilla flavor and eat it right up like it's a chewy treat. Just make sure you select the appropriate size based on your dog's weight.