Skip to Content

Best Dog Toothpaste in 2024: Top 6 Options

Best Dog Toothpaste in 2024: Top 6 Options

We know what you’re thinking: You want me to brush my dog’s teeth? Seriously? Yes, we do. And so does your veterinarian. And your dog probably won’t mind it either. Maintaining your pup’s oral health is crucial to keeping their overall health in check. In addition to annual dental cleanings at your vet, your dog needs daily brushing to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Adding the best dog toothpaste to your dog’s daily routine will make a world of difference for their teeth, gums, and breath.

Next time your dog licks your face, take note of their breath. Did it knock you over and make you gag, or was it magical puppy breath? Your dog may never achieve perfect puppy breath, but you can give them a healthier smile if you decide to choose one of our picks for the best dog toothpaste. Throw in a dog-friendly toothbrush with toy rewards, and daily brushing can become a task that both you and your pup will enjoy.

Our Top Picks: Best Dog Toothpaste

Here are the best-performing dog toothpastes on the market:

1. Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog & Poultry Flavored Toothpaste

The best dog toothpaste overall

Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste

Brand: Virbac | Type: Paste | Flavor: Poultry | Enzymatic: Yes | Price: 💰💰

C.E.T. Toothpaste has a unique formula that is safe, effective, and appealing to your dog or cat. Contains the C.E.T. Dual Enzyme system to inhibit the formation of plaque. Formulated especially for pets, they contain no foaming agents and your dog can safely swallow them. Flavors are well accepted by pets and make brushing easy.

  • Improved breath after just one brushing
  • Continued use prevents plaque from forming
  • Flavor seems to be a hit for both dogs and cats

  • Chemical-like smell
  • Causes gastrointestinal issues in some dogs
  • Some tubes of dog toothpaste didn’t seem to be full when delivered

2. Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Natural Dog Toothpaste

The best-tasting dog toothpaste

Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Natural Dog Toothpaste

Brand: Nylabone | Type: Paste | Flavor: Peanut Butter | Enzymatic: No | Price: 💰

Nylabone has been invested in doggy dental health since 1955. Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Natural Dog Toothpaste will leave your dog with fresh breath, healthy teeth and gums. Rated highly as one of the best dog toothpaste options, both you and your pup will notice a difference after just once use. It tastes like yummy peanut butter, and what dog doesn’t love peanut butter! It’s formula reduces plaque that harbors bacteria, which will keep your dog’s teeth clean and prevent dental disease.

  • Helps reduce plaque over time
  • Reliable product from a reputable company
  • Dogs think they’re getting a treat because of how tasty it is

  • Requires daily use to notice a positive difference
  • Does not seem to improve dog’s breath even after multiple uses

3. Petsmile Professional Natural London Broil Flavor Pet Toothpaste

The best natural dog toothpaste

Petsmile Professional Natural London Broil Flavor Pet Toothpaste, 4.5-oz tube

Brand: Petsmile | Type: Paste | Flavor: Beef | Enzymatic: No | Price: 💰💰💰

Prevention is vital when it comes to your furbaby’s oral health! Petsmile Professional Beef Flavor Pet Toothpaste helps ward against cavities, receding gums and gingivitis. Plus, good oral health also helps prevent heart, liver and kidney diseases. This proprietary formula includes Calprox, which dissolves the protein to which plaque, bacteria, and stains adhere. Free of sulfates, parabens, gluten, BPA and silica, this vegan paste leaves your pet’s teeth whiter and gums healthier! To use, simply apply the tasty beef-flavored toothpaste to their favorite toothbrush. This toothpaste is accepted by The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).

  • Noticed an improvement after only one use
  • Delicious London Broil flavor is a hit with pups
  • Best at removing caked-on plaque and preventing future plaque from developing

  • Some dogs don’t like the beef flavor
  • The smell is off-putting for some owners and pets

4. Vetoquinol Vet Solutions Enzadent Enzymatic Poultry-Flavored Toothpaste

The best dog toothpaste for sensitive tummies

Vetoquinol Vet Solutions Enzadent Enzymatic Poultry-Flavored Toothpaste for Dogs & Cats, 90g tube

Brand: Vetoquinol | Type: Paste | Flavor: Poultry | Enzymatic: Yes | Price: 💰

Vetoquinol has taken great care to engineer a dog toothpaste made for even the most sensitive of tummies. This dog toothpaste features a triple enzyme formula that is effective at removing plaque and polishing teeth. The poultry flavor is a hit with dogs, even the picky eaters. It will not foam up so that it is safe to swallow. No need to rinse! Vetoquinol dog toothpaste combats oral diseases, therefore promoting your pet’s overall health and wellness.

  • Dogs seem to love the taste
  • Recommended and sold by vets gives customers trust in the product
  • Cleans away old plaque and extends time between anesthetic dental cleans

  • Runny consistency
  • Some owners don’t like how dark in color the toothpaste is
  • Malodorous for humans (but dogs don’t seem to mind the smell)

5. Arm & Hammer Dental Fresh Breath Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste

The best dog toothpaste for bad breath

Arm & Hammer Dental Fresh Breath Enzymatic

Brand: Arm & Hammer | Type: Paste | Flavor: Poultry & Mint | Enzymatic: Yes | Price: 💰

Help clean and deodorize your dog’s teeth and gums with the power of baking soda. Arm & Hammer’s Dental Fresh Breath Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste can kill bacteria as you brush your pup’s teeth, promoting a cleaner, healthier mouth. The toothpaste also helps whiten your dog’s teeth while reducing odor for fresh, clean breath that’s sure to make you smile. This toothpaste has a delicious chicken flavor and fresh mint scent you and your canine companion will love.

  • Taste seems to be a hit with most pups
  • Appears to remove plaque, even older, caked-on plaque
  • The hype is real — this is the best dog toothpaste for bad breath

  • A few owners were disappointed that the ingredients are not from the USA
  • Some owners noticed a strong beef smell and not the minty smell the product promises

6. Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste

The best dog toothpaste for removing tartar

Vet’s Best Enzymatic

Brand: Vet’s Best | Type: Gel | Flavor: Banana | Enzymatic: Yes | Price: 💰

This enzymatic toothpaste is veterinarian formulated with a key mix of natural ingredients. It includes aloe, neem oil, grapefruit seed extract, baking soda, and enzymes. This antibacterial and antifungal toothpaste for dogs will fight tartar and plaque, whiten and brighten teeth, promote healthy gums, and freshen breath. The packaging is an easy-to-use squeeze tube that’s perfect for supporting your pup’s dental health between professional cleanings.

  • Neutral smell and taste; no strong meat odors
  • Gel offers soothing relief to gingivitis sufferers
  • Limited and natural ingredients, all sourced in the USA

  • Some dogs don’t like the texture of gel since it doesn’t resemble most other treats
  • No distinct flavor; some dogs don’t seem to be interested without a delicious aroma

What to Look For in a Dog Toothpaste

Brushing With the Best Dog Toothpaste
Image Fat Camera / Canva

There are a few critical criteria to consider when choosing the best dog toothpaste for your pup:

  • Is it made specifically for dogs? Human toothpaste contains ingredients that will make your dog violently ill, and can be fatal if they ingest enough. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in most human toothpaste, but it is toxic to dogs.
  • Will my dog enjoy the flavor? If your dog doesn’t go for sweets, avoid flavors like mint, vanilla, even malt. 
  • Is my dog sensitive to animal protein flavoring? If your pup has food allergies to a particular protein, avoid toothpaste that uses that protein. A common food allergy in dogs is poultry.

Another important consideration? Whether or not the toothpaste is enzymatic. Enzymatic paste works on contact with plaque and tartar without even having to brush your dog’s teeth. With that said, brushing, in addition to the enzyme-eating toothpaste, will have a bigger positive impact on your dog’s oral health. Do whatever your pup will tolerate and never force it. Otherwise they will not let you brush their teeth in the future and never develop a positive habit.

If you are trying to promote good oral health for your dog, it is best to find a dog toothpaste that your dog will be okay with tasting as well as one that doesn’t contain allergens. If your pup prefers fragrant wet foods and gravies, a beefy, savory toothpaste will be your go-to. Any toothpaste made specifically for dogs — along with a regular toothbrush — will be better for your dog’s teeth and gums than doing nothing at all.

Our Process

Compiling a best-of list can be challenging: deciding on criteria and rating metrics, weeding through hundreds of products, and then articulating the list from a place of knowledge and experience.

This reviewer has several years of veterinary experience and education and can speak intelligently on the topic of dog oral health. Even so, we read hundreds of reviews (both positive and negative) from multiple sources in order to compare data and create our list of the top 6 best dog toothpaste available for purchase.


Further Reading

How to Give a Dog a Pill
How to Give a Dog a Pill: Tips for Making It Easy & Fun
How to Stop a Dog From Digging
How to Stop a Dog From Digging
How Often Do You Walk Your Dog
How Often Do You Walk Your Dog?
How to Stop a Dog From Peeing in the House
How to Stop a Dog From Peeing in the House
Best Dog Ear Cleaner
The 10 Best Dog Ear Cleaners
The Best Limited Ingredient Dog Foods
Best Limited Ingredient Dog Food: Top 7 Brands