Brushing your dog’s teeth may seem like an odd thing to do. But regular brushing is very important for your dog’s dental health.
If you neglect this simple weekly habit there could be serious consequences for your Dog. Along with an unpleasant smell, your beloved Canine could also be at serious risk of developing Gum Disease.
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Our recommendation for best Dog Toothpaste
In this post, we’ll be offering hints and tips on how to care for your dog’s teeth as well as looking at some of the best Dog Toothpastes available.
If you don’t have time to read the full post, here is our recommendation;
SENTRY Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs
Why you need to Clean your Dogs Teeth
Before you get a toothbrush and toothpaste and start scrubbing, as an owner you must beware of a few important things.
The first thing to address is why do you need to brush your dog’s teeth?
You may think that dental sticks or chewing is sufficient in fighting off tartar and plaque. While both these methods do help, they are not a replacement for brushing – That’s where the toothpaste comes in.
If left alone your dog’s mouth will build up plaque and tartar. This buildup will eventually lead to gum disease which is extremely painful for your Dog.
Gum disease can lead to infections, increased bacteria, and other health problems. Tartar generally will form along the gumline. This causes the gums to become inflamed, separating the teeth from the gums making great breeding grounds for more bacteria.
All these bacteria in your dog’s mouth can cause abscesses, rotting, tooth loss, and bone deterioration. If bacteria from the infected gums makes it into your dog’s bloodstream then your dog’s vital organs are in danger.
Hopefully, by now you can see the effects that not brushing your dog’s teeth can have. To save your dog from unnecessary pain or even death take the time to brush their teeth.
Can you use human toothpaste on a Dog?
Now that you know the importance of brushing your dog’s teeth, you may be thinking you and your pooch can just share your toothpaste?
NEVER use human toothpaste on your dog!
Human toothpaste is made to foam since humans spit out the toothpaste when they’re done. Dogs, on the other hand, can not spit and swallowing human toothpaste is deadly.
Human toothpaste contains fluoride. Although safe for humans, fluoride is poisonous to dogs and therefore human toothpaste is very bad for Dogs.
Help! My dog ate toothpaste, what should I do? If your dog eats human toothpaste you should contact your vet immediately.
Homemade Dog Toothpaste
If you’re trying to save money it is possible to make your own DIY dog toothpaste.
In fact, homemade toothpaste is relatively easy and quick to make.
Recipes tend to use common ingredients that act as natural exfoliates, such as baking soda and turmeric. Which can be used to clean plaque and tartar.
Ingredients required to make homemade dog toothpaste
- Baking Soda
- Mint Leaves
- Coconut Oil
- Cinnamon
- Water
- Beef Broth
Instructional video on how to make Dog toothpaste
What to look for in Toothpaste for Dogs
You want a toothpaste that is going to protect your Dogs teeth first and foremost. So Check the ingredients and ensure it kills tartar and plaque.
Other things to look out for;
Flavor. There are tons of flavors. There’s broth, chicken, and beef flavored as well as more traditional mint. It shouldn’t be too hard to find a flavor your Dog will love.
Is it natural? Some Dog toothpaste are 100% natural, where others may contain chemicals.
Organic? Perhaps you prefer to shop organically, this doesn’t have to stop with your groceries. You can actually get organic Dog toothpaste too.
Our Choice for TheBest Toothpaste for Dogs
There are many brands and types of dog toothpaste to choose from. Some are better than others.
Two highly rated, are Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic toothpaste and Virbac C.E.T Enzymatic toothpaste.
Both of these products work wonders for your dog’s teeth and mouth.
Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste Review.
An affordable Dog Toothpaste that is readily available online. Not only does Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste come in generous 6.2-ounce tubes it also has an irresistible (to Dogs) Poultry flavor.
Benefits
- Highly rated by customers on Amazon
- Comes in large good value for money tubes
- Tasty poultry flavor that your dog should love
- Removes tartar build up
- Controls blackness on teeth and gums
- Exclusively formulated for dogs
Considerations
- While this toothpaste helps to remove bad breath, be aware that it does have a poultry flavoring and therefore mild smell
Virbac C.E.T Enzymatic toothpaste Review.
Another great option is Virbac C.E.T Enzymatic toothpaste. This toothpaste is made for both dogs and cats, which is great if you also own a cat.
It eliminates bad breath. And has a non-foaming formula, allowing it to be swallowed. It also uses C.E.T dual enzyme system to inhibit plaque formation.
It comes in a wide range of flavors including a delicious vanilla-mint.
Benefits
- Can be used on both Dogs and Cats
- Comes in a Vanilla-Mint flavor which smells more appealing to humans than poultry
- Nonfoaming formula which can be swallowed
Considerations
- Smaller tube size than other brands for similar price
Both of these toothpaste would make excellent choices to protect your dog’s teeth. It may simply come down to which flavor your dog likes best.
Tips for Brushing your Dogs Teeth
Once you’ve chosen your toothpaste you can start brushing your dog’s teeth.
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to make the process a little easier.
Start young and build a habit
Making brushing your dog’s teeth a habit is important. The best way to get your dog into the routine of brushing their teeth is to start them young. It may be more difficult for adult dogs to form this habit than it is for puppies.
Brush your dogs teeth at the same time each day
Ideally, you should brush your Dogs teeth after every meal. Realistically, this isn’t very practical.
Instead, try brushing your dog’s teeth 2-3 times per week. And stick to the same date/time to ensure you don’t forget.
Don’t just brush!
Along with toothpaste, an owner can buy;
Special dog toothbrushes, Dental sticks, and even Dog mouth spray to really get a deep clean.
Smile! You’re on your way to a happy and healthy doggy dental regime
By now you should know that it is imperative to brush your dog’s teeth. By taking a few minutes to brush your dog’s teeth regularly you can help protect your dog from serious discomfort, infections, and even disease.
Just like humans, Dogs need to take proper care of their bodies and you must help them do that.
