Best Dental Products for Dogs

Vets claim that over 80% of dogs will have some form of active dental disease, making dental disease (also called periodontal disease) one of the most prominent conditions in dogs. 

While brushing your dog’s teeth may seem like a challenge, it’s not the only way you can care for them. In this blog, we’re going to walk you through some of the best alternatives to brushing your dog’s teeth.

In an ideal world, yes. Brushing your dog’s teeth should be a part of your regular grooming routine to maintain your dog’s health. Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth daily to fight the buildup of plaque and tartar, which are the main cause of dental problems like gingivitis and dental problems. 

Make sure when brushing your dog’s teeth that you only use toothbrushes for dogs and not a human toothbrush, as the bristles may be too firm for your dog’s sensitive gums. Also, make sure to use a good dog toothpaste, not a human one, as they may contain ingredients that are unsafe for dogs. 

If you’d like to learn more about brushing your dog’s teeth, read our blog below. 

Unfortunately, we can’t tell our dogs why we need to brush their teeth, and in some cases, it’s not worth the distress it may cause your dog. That’s why many market-leading brands offer a range of alternatives to brushing dogs' teeth. 

Perhaps the most popular alternate dental care for dogs is dog dental chews. These tasty treats work in a variety of ways, depending on the manufacturer. 

Some are made with additional enzymes intended to break down bacteria in the mouth and prevent the build-up of plaque, such as these LOGIC® PROZYM® Dental Chews for Dogs. Other dental chews are specially designed with lumps and ridges that work to scrape the plaque from your dog’s teeth, such as these PURINA Dentalife Daily Oral Care Dental Chews.

Another handing brushing alternative is to use a dental dog spray like the Plaqtiv+® Oral Care Spray for Dogs. These easy-to-use sprays are designed to break down oral biofilms to reduce tartar on your dog’s teeth. These dental sprays don’t put any pressure on the gums, making them a great early step in your dog’s dental care journey as they allow them to get used to their mouth being touched.

If you’re a fan of dog supplements, then perhaps you’d like your dog’s dental care to be as simple as adding something to their diet. Lucky for you, there are a great range of dog dental powders on the market that work to improve your dog’s dental health. 

The formula for dog dental powders varies per manufacturer, but they follow a similar principle. One of the key ingredients to these powders is a type of seaweed ground into a fine powder. This powder is then added to your dog’s food and, once ingested, can get to work, preventing the key contributors to tooth decay. The ProDen PlaqueOff® Powder for Dogs this seaweed works by preventing plaque from sticking to teeth, with noticeable results within 3-8 weeks.

A lesser-known alternative for brushing is to use a dog dental wipe like these Plaqtiv+® Oral Care Wipes. These wipes are soft on your dog’s gums and help them get accustomed to the feel of their teeth being brushed, while the wipes' ingredients help prevent plaque build-up on your dog’s teeth until they’re ready for the brush.

While these wipes do have dental health properties, they’re not substantial enough to be a complete dental care solution for your dog. Instead, they’re meant as stepping stones that help your dog get used to having their teeth and gums touched. If your dog is really averse to having you touch their mouth, we’d recommend choosing a different brushing alternative or speaking with your vet for further advice. 

Another great brushing alternative is to use a dental dog water additive like the Vet Aquadent FR3SH™ Drinking Water Additive for Dogs. Much like dental powders, these additives are easy to use without your dog noticing. Simply add the recommended amount to fresh drinking water daily, and… that’s it. 

The key way these dog dental water additives work is by freshening and cleaning your dog’s mouth with each drink they take, minimising the amount of bacteria inside that can lead to gingivitis and tooth decay. Not only can this freshen your dog’s breath, but it also helps reduce the build-up of plaque and helps maintain your dog’s oral health.  

Did you know that some toys can even be good for your dog’s oral health? Dog dental toys are designed to appeal to your dog’s natural instinct to chew and follow a similar principle to dog dental chew treats. These toys are made with grooves in the rubber that scrape and polish your dog’s teeth while they chew. 

Some dental dog toys, like this KONG Dental Rope Toy, also have the added benefit of a rope attachment, which works similarly to the rubber, meaning when you’re playing tug of war with your dog, you’re helping them to keep their teeth clean. These dog dental toys are great for teething puppies who care far more about playtime than oral hygiene.

With so many options when it comes to dog dental care, you’re bound to find something that works for you and your dog. If you’re still on the fence, take a look at our complete range of dog dental products below and find the perfect fit for your dog. 

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle thoroughly with your vet before starting any program or treatment.