We found the best dog toothpaste recommend by vets in 2024 (plus our favorite alternatives)

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sitting on a peron's lap with a finger toothbrush with toothpaste for dogs
(Image credit: Getty Images/Tatsiana Volkava)

If you're looking for the best dog toothpaste, you've come to the right place. Below, we've rounded up five options that will keep your dog's teeth in tip-top condition and freshen up their breath.

To make things simple for you, we've selected just one toothpaste as our winner, along with four alternative products, such as water additives or chews that can make a big difference to your dog's oral health.

Following a dental routine is one of the most important things you can do for your pup, but if they hate having their teeth cleaned, these alternatives can come in handy. Keep in mind, though, that you won't get the full effects like you would with the best toothbrush for dogs.

Expert vet Dr. Rebecca MacMillan explains: "I believe that nothing replaces the physical act of toothbrushing, but some of these other products can be a useful aid, especially in dogs that are not compliant."

As recommended, we've only included products that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), which means they've been tested and verified under clinical trials. Here are five products we think are great:

The best dog toothpastes 2024

Other dog toothpastes to consider

We've only included VOHC-recommended products in the list above, but you might also want to consider...

C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste

C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste
This highly-rated toothpaste comes in three different flavors (beef, poultry, and vanilla-mint), to make brushing more enjoyable for your dog. The formula uses enzymes to break down plaque and freshen breath and contains dog-safe ingredients. Dr. MacMillan says: "Enzymes help to break down the slimy plaque layer on your pet’s teeth and reduce levels of harmful bacteria."

How we tested the best dog toothpaste

Before choosing and testing the best dog toothpaste, it was important that we consulted our in-house vet Dr. MacMillan first. She explained which ingredients to avoid – such as fluoride and sweeteners – and recommended products approved by the VOHC.

After hours of research, we selected five options that met these criteria to try on our own dogs, and I asked our testers the following questions:

Taste: Does your dog like the taste? Does the taste encourage your dog to accept brushing?

Effectiveness: Does the product help to freshen your dog's breath? Have you noticed a difference in plaque and tartar buildup in dogs?

User experience: Is the product easy to work with? Does it work well with toothbrushes (if applicable)?

Value for money: Would you buy this product again? Is it worth the money based on quality and quantity?

Here's more information on how we test.

How to choose the best dog toothpaste

Flavor
When choosing the best dog toothpaste, it's important to consider the flavor and pick one that your dog will enjoy. This will help your pooch to build a positive association with brushing their teeth and make it a good experience for both of you.

Ingredients
You'll want to avoid ingredients, like fluoride, sweeteners, and foaming agents, which can be harmful to your dog. You won't find any of these in the products listed above.

Alternatives
Once you've aced your dog's toothbrushing routine, you might want to consider buying additional dental products, like powders and treats. These can contribute to healthy teeth, gums, and overall health, and we've suggested some brilliant options above that are approved by vet professionals.

Labrador sticking his tongue out to a finger toothbrush with toothpaste on it

(Image credit: Getty Images/Fetrinka)

Can I use human toothpaste on dogs?

Can you use regular toothpaste on dogs? No, you should never use human toothpaste on your dog as they contain potentially harmful ingredients. Dr. MacMillan has explained what they are below:

Fluoride: "Fluoride should not be consumed regularly or in large quantities, as it can cause discoloration and wear of the teeth and bone abnormalities, amongst other issues. Too much fluoride is also bad for humans, which is the reason why we spit our toothpaste after brushing. Dogs are not able to do this, however, meaning they will consume most of the paste. They also don’t particularly suffer from cavities, like we do, so fluoride is not a necessary part of their oral care."

Xylitol: "Some human toothpastes contain xylitol which is an artificial sweetener. This ingredient is extremely dangerous to dogs. It causes the dog to release a large amount of insulin making their blood sugar levels plummet, leading to collapse, tremors, and seizures. Xylitol is also found in many other human products like sugar-free gum, medications, and sugar-free sweets."

Foaming agents: "Human toothpaste contains foaming agents, giving us a satisfying froth while we brush our teeth. Ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate are not meant to be swallowed, which again is why we spit our paste out. Dogs will just swallow their paste during brushing, which could be problematic if you were using a human paste."

Dr. MacMillan adds that the minty taste can be off-putting for dogs, leading them to build a negative association with brushing.

If you're tempted to make homemade dog toothpaste, our vet has explained why it's not a good idea in this guide.

Is dog toothpaste safe?

Yes, dog toothpaste is safe. Dr. MacMillan assures that as long as it's made by a reputable manufacturer and is designed specifically for pets, it's absolutely fine to use on your dog!

She says: "If you want assurance about their safety, as well as their effectiveness, I recommend that owners buy a product recommended by The Veterinary Oral Health Council. These products have been approved by a team of veterinary dentists and given the VHOC seal of approval.

"As well as toothpaste, you can find a range of other products to complement your toothbrushing regime, such as dental chews and diets. You should view any dental products being plugged on social media with suspicion; many make wild claims that are not founded on evidence. Speak to your vet for further advice on the best toothpaste to use for your dog."

For more dental advice, read our guide to healthy dog gums and how to clean a dog's teeth without brushing.

Curated by
Megan Milstead smiling
Curated by
Megan Milstead

Megan Milstead is Staff Writer at PetsRadar where she covers buying guides, deals, features, and news. She grew up with dogs for most of her life and understands the importance of giving them a good dental hygiene routine. To bring you this guide, she spent hours researching the different options on the market; analyzing the ingredients, checking the brands' credibility, and consulting our in-house vet team for advice. Your dog's health is her priority.

Expert advice from
Dr. Rebecca MacMillan
Expert advice from
Dr. Rebecca MacMillanBVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS

Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. She enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation). She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!

Megan Milstead
Staff Writer

Megan is a Staff Writer on PetsRader, covering news, features and buying guides. She has a wealth of experience looking after animals, having grown up with dogs, cats and horses all of her life. She’s particularly interested in pet happiness and behavior, which she loves to research in her spare time. You’ll often find her watching webinars on reactivity in dogs or researching cat body language. She loves going the extra mile for her cats Chilli and Nala (who also help out with testing the best products for our buying guides).

Megan studied BA Journalism at the University of Westminster, where she specialized in lifestyle journalism and was editor of Smoke Radio’s online magazine. She also graduated from West Herts College with a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Journalism. Before joining the PetsRadar family last year, she worked on the editorial team at Harrods and has spent most of her career writing for specialized titles, like RunningShoesGuru, Licklist and Mr. After Party.

Megan works alongside qualified vets and accredited trainers to ensure you get the best advice possible. She is passionate about finding accurate and helpful answers to your pet-related questions.

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