What if you could just brush their teeth? Well, you can! 
Grab a toothbrush, select the best dog toothpaste from the list below, and go to work on those persistent bad breath bacteria trying to ruin the bond you have.
Pro tip: Alternatively, or in addition to brushing, consider dental chew for dogs.
The problem: Stinky breath!
If you’ve taken a whiff of your dog’s breath recently, then you know that it’s not the most pleasant smell. Through all the saliva, treats, kibble, and anything else they get their teeth on, tons of bad breath causing bacteria find their way into the teeth and gums of your favorite canine.[1]
After a few whiffs of that horrible smell, even the most caring and loving dog owner admits to wishing it be gone. Nothing to be ashamed about, you love your dog licking your face, but the bad breath and questionable bacteria have got to go!
The solution: Toothpaste for dogs
So, what are your options? Well, good oral hygiene is the best choice for making sure that your dog’s teeth stay in tip-top shape, and that starts with a great-tasting, high-quality toothpaste.[2] It may have bee a foreign concept to you up until now, but caring pet owners across the globe have been brushing their dogs teeth’s for years and years.
Admittedly, it sounds like quite the challenge on first glance, doesn’t it? But you’d be surprised what a good old toothbrush combined with a quality dog toothpaste can do for that nasty breath.
The options: Best dog toothpastes
Not everyone brushes their dog’s teeth, but if you’re one of the few that do you’re going to find five of our favorite tubes of canine toothpaste in this article.
As always, well run you through the pros and cons of each, before giving you an idea of what others are saying about the product.
#1 – Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste
It’s hard enough to get yo
ur hand inside your pet’s mouth to clean their teeth, let alone getting them to spit out the residue. Solving both of these problems, Petrodex toothpaste is a great-tasting non-foaming formula that dogs will be naturally drawn to and can safely ingest once the process is done.
It also packs quite a punch, so only a little bit of the product is needed for cleaning each day which makes this a wise choice for those looking to save a few dollars in the long run.
Pros
- Dogs love the taste and smell
- Made in the USA with quality ingredients
Cons
- Dogs can sometimes interfere with the cleaning process by eating the product
Customer feedback
Customers adore the power that this toothpaste delivers to their dog’s teeth. Dogs of all ages quickly had their jaws in pristine shape after as little as a month of regularly using the product to the delight of vets everywhere.
Most dogs are reported to have quickly taken to the teeth cleaning process thanks to the smell and taste, which makes life easy for owners who are new to the process. However, many owners themselves don’t enjoy the smell of the toothpaste and the resulting scent it leaves in their dog’s mouths. Earned a 4.9 out of 5 stars rating.
#2 – Virbac C.E.T Enzymatic Toothpaste
For something a little more pleasing to human nostrils, Virbac offers their highly recommended toothpaste in a variety of subtle flavors that appeals to both cats and dogs for a little bit of extra value.
Rather than replacing a dog’s natural breath with the scent of the toothpaste, this formula works to neutralize odors to maintain a fresh, pleasant breath. Dogs may not appreciate it as much, but you certainly will.
Pros
- More neutral odors
- Vet recommended
Cons
- This formula can leave some residue, so it’s important to thoroughly wash your dog’s mouth since they’re unlikely to eat it themselves
Customer feedback
Oral hygiene for pets is often seen as an unpleasant ordeal, and customers really appreciate the fact that the variety of scents provided make it more enjoyable for owners around the world. This approach also doesn’t compromise its effectiveness since it does a remarkable job at cleaning plaque and tartar when used daily.
Some customers are wary of this product due to the long list of ingredients, some of which, like sweeteners, aren’t necessary. Earned a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating.
#3 – Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dental Gel Toothpaste
You pay close attention to the ingredients in your dog’s food, so it only makes sense that you want the best in a toothpaste too. Vet’s Best tries to give it to you by using limited and mostly natural ingredients like grapefruit seed extract to provide additional dietary benefits.
One thing to note is the controversial inclusion of aloe. While it’s not advisable to give it to your dogs due to its potentially toxic nature, the substances used in this product have been tested to be safe, so feel free to use it worry-free.
Pros
- Limited ingredient list
- Affordable considering the size of the bottle
Cons
- Formula isn’t as potent as others on this list, so more needs to be applied
Customer feedback
While some customers have reported that the product does not work as advertised, a clear majority of respondents have seen a dramatic turn in the oral hygiene of their pets after weeks of daily or even twice a day use.
Dogs respond quite well to the flavor which makes cleaning enjoyable for both parties thanks to the neutral smell. Since more product is required than some of the other brands we’ve looked at, customers really appreciate the affordable price as well. Earned a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating.
#4 – Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental Kit
For first time brushers, Nylabone offers a complete all-in-one package that includes a double-sided brush and a quality toothpaste to work into your daily pet-care routine. Formulated with Denta-C, Nylabone claims that their product can reduce plaque which harbors bacteria, and while there is no objective basis to these claims, we can say that using it does result in a much more pleasant breath in our dogs.
Pros
- Uniquely shaped brush works well on teeth
- Toothpaste itself works well for dogs who enjoy the taste but…
Cons
- …many dogs don’t since it doesn’t have an enticing smell
- The bottle is smaller than most other sizes, making it more expensive
Customer feedback
Overall, customers are very pleased with the flexibility that this kit offers for their pet since the brush works well for medium to large size dogs, and the included finger brush handles all the smaller pups.
The toothpaste is also reported as effective; however, many pets don’t seem to enjoy the taste. This results in divided opinions on the product. If your dog likes it, it will work well, otherwise, you’re better off trying something else on this list until they reformulate their flavors. Earned a 4.2 out of 5 stars rating.
#5 – St. Jon Pet Care Sentry Petrodex Natural Toothpaste
We’ve seen Petrodex once before, and they appear once again with their peanut-flavored natural toothpaste. This product is slightly different than the previous one we looked at by not being enzymatic.
That means it no longer continues to clean teeth after brushing, which makes is less effective for stubborn dogs who fight you every step of the way. However, in exchange, you have a much friendlier scent and flavor that most dogs simply adore.
Pros
- Dogs love the peanut flavor
- Two-pack is some great value
Cons
- Not enzymatic, which means owners must take care to brush thoroughly
Customer feedback
Most of the feedback, like all products on this list, is positive since it smells great and owners tend to get good reports from their vets after consistent use. However, there are some complaints that stem from customers who complain about worse than usual breath from their dogs after using this toothpaste.
Ultimately, while this product does what it sets out to do, it will be up to you to decide whether the worse breath is a good trade-off for cleaner teeth. Earned a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating.
Final say on toothpaste for dogs
Brushing your dog’s teeth can be a contentious issue. Many people prefer to use dental treats and call it a day, but much like people, the biggest improvement can be seen in those dogs that have a regular oral hygiene routine.
Depending on your own tolerance to the different smells and your dog’s acceptance of the flavors, some of the products on this list might work better than others. Still, they’re cheap enough to try them all, so feel free to work your way through each of the products until you find something that works for both of your doggo.