The Best Dog Teeth Cleaning Products

You may be used to your pup’s doggy breath, but that stinky smell coming from your dog’s mouth may be a sign of periodontal disease.

Professional dental cleanings are the only recommended way to remove calculus and tartar from your dog’s teeth once it builds up, but the dog teeth cleaning products can help prevent buildup—and costly dental cleanings.

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How Often Do I Need to Brush My Dog’s Teeth?

Brushing your dog’s teeth at least once a day is the gold standard, recommended by most vets. However, any brushing is better than no brushing, so set a goal to brush a few times per week if that feels less overwhelming.

Are There Alternatives to Brushing My Dog’s Teeth?

Brushing your dog’s teeth is the best way to prevent plaque accumulation in your dog’s mouth. However, if your dog won’t let you brush their teeth, or if you’re unable to for other reasons, there are some options that can help keep your pup’s teeth clean. Note that these products won’t be quite as effective as brushing your dog’s teeth regularly, but they’re better than nothing.

• Dental powder food additives
• Water additives
• Rinses and mouthwashes
• Dental gels
• Dental chews
• Other chew bones, like bully sticks, beef cheek rolls, and raw bones

Traits We Want in the Best Dog Teeth Cleaning Products

Dog-friendly ingredients: If you’re choosing a toothpaste, gel, food additive, or anything else your dog will ingest, look for dog-friendly ingredients.

VOHC seal: If you’re not sure about the list of ingredients on a package, looking for a VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal is a good way to narrow things down. Not every great dental product has this seal, but it’s a good place to start when researching dog dental products.

The VOHC is an organization that recognizes and gives a seal of approval to products that meet certain criteria for dog and cat oral health. The VOHC reviews data from trials done on these products, and the products have to be proven to slow down plaque and tartar buildup on animal’s teeth.

Ease of use: In order for a dog tooth cleaning product to be best for your dog, it has to be used regularly! Choose a method that you’ll be likely to stick to, whether it’s daily or weekly tooth brushing, a dental rinse, or nightly dental chews. Anything helps in the journey to keep your pup’s teeth clean.

The Best Dog Teeth Cleaning Products

Whole Dog Journal Rating	Product and Name	Price	Notes
	Vibrac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Poultry Flavor Dog Dental Kit	$14	This all-in-one kit comes with everything you need to get started on your dog’s dental care journey: a finger toothbrush, a double sided dog toothbrush, and a tube of poultry-flavored enzymatic toothpaste, which most dogs find delicious.
	Petsmile Professional Natural London Broil Flavor Dog Toothpaste	$20	The only VOHC-approved dog toothpaste on the market, the Petsmile Professional toothpaste is a no-brush formula, so it helps break down plaque and tartar just by rubbing it on your dog’s gumline.
	Vetoquinol Dentahex Dog & Cat Dental Rinse	$20	Need a fast and easy teeth cleaning product? Just spray some of this chlorhexidine dental rinse on your dog’s gumline in between brushings, and you’ll help keep their breath fresh and their mouth clear of harmful bacteria.
	Pet Honesty Fresh Breath Dog Dental Powder	$27	Kelp-based dog dental powders are becoming increasingly popular as a way to help prevent plaque buildup on your dog’s teeth systemically (i.e. from the inside out). The Pet Honesty powder contains kelp and postbiotics that both assist in breaking down biofilm and keeping your pup’s mouth healthy and fresh.
	Greenies	$34 for 27 count	You really can’t go wrong with a VOHC-approved dog dental chew. Greenies are a common dog favorite, are widely available at pet stores and other local retailers and can help keep their teeth clean. The special texture of these chews helps mechanically break down plaque and can help with stinky doggy breath, too.

Best Dental Kit for Dogs: Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Poultry Flavor Dog Dental Kit

After my dog had a dental cleaning, the vet sent me home with the Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Poultry Flavor Dog Dental Kit  and it’s what I use on a regular basis. It comes with a double-sided dog toothbrush, a finger toothbrush, and a tube of poultry flavored C.E.T. toothpaste (which my dogs are convinced is chicken flavored frosting, not toothpaste). It’s the perfect kit for someone who’s just starting their dog’s dental journey and wants an all-in-one solution.

The Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste was one of our top picks in our Best Dog Toothpaste guide. We spoke with Dr. Teresa Manucy, DVM, for this guide, and she recommended enzymatic toothpastes like Virbac C.E.T, thanks to the way they react to “sugar molecules in [your dog’s] mouth to create a chemical reaction that helps degrade plaque and tartar on their teeth and inhibits new tartar formation.”

Best Dog Toothpaste: Petsmile Professional Natural London Broil Flavor Dog Toothpaste

If you already have a dog toothbrush and are just shopping for a toothpaste, the Petsmile Professional Natural London Broil Flavor Dog Toothpaste is a good option. It’s the only dog toothpaste on the market that boasts a VOHC seal of approval, and it’s been proven to help reduce buildup on your dog’s teeth.

This was our top pick in the best dog toothpaste guide due to it’s palatability and high remarks from the VOHC. It’s a no-brush formula, so even just rubbing it on your dog’s gums with your finger will help slow the formation of plaque. It’s a great option for pups who are just learning to have their teeth brushed.

Best Dog Dental Rinse: Vetoquinol Dentahex Dog & Cat Dental Rinse

If you want a quick way to freshen your dog’s breath between tooth brushing sessions, the Vetoquinol Dentahex Dog & Cat Dental Rinse is a convenient choice. It contains chlorhexidine, which in combination with other ingredients, helps to prevent plaque and calculus buildup, kills bacteria in the mouth, and helps with doggy breath.

It’s not as effective as tooth brushing, but may be slightly less invasive for pups who can’t tolerate a toothbrush. Just lift your dog’s lip and apply a gentle stream along the gumline on both sides.

Best Dental Powder for Dogs: Pet Honesty Fresh Breath Dog Dental Powder

Dental powder for dogs that contains kelp often targets dental buildup by altering the composition of your dog’s saliva. The Pet Honesty Fresh Breath Dog Dental Powder contains kelp and postbiotics that may help reduce plaque buildup from the inside out. Kelp can help break down plaque on your dog’s teeth in small amounts and contains nutrients that support gum health.

This powder has a wonderfully minty scent, and my dogs find it quite palatable. When used regularly, I find that it does help doggy breath, thanks to the antibacterial qualities of the kelp and other ingredients.

Best Dog Dental Chew: Greenies

You really can’t go wrong with Greenies. The VOHC-approved dog dental chews have been beloved by dogs of all ages and sizes for years. Greenies primarily help keep your dog’s teeth clean through the act of chewing, their specially-formulated texture can reduce buildup on your dog’s teeth with regular use, and they contain ingredients that help freshen breath.

Though Greenies are not a substitute for other teeth cleaning methods, giving your dogs a variety of chews can help clean their teeth, and are a good additive to an existing dental care routine. Make sure you get the size that’s most suited to your dog’s weight, and you can try different flavors if your pup is picky.

Other Recommended Dog Teeth Cleaning Products

Though we didn’t test these products, these are other popular and vet recommended solutions for keeping your dog’s pearly whites clean.

ProDen PlaqueOff Powder

ProDen PlaqueOff dental powder is another food additive that features seaweed and can simply be sprinkled onto your dog’s food. It’s been VOHC-approved to reduce/prevent both plaque and tartar.

Skout’s Honor Oral Care Fresh & Flavorless Dog & Cat Dental Water Additive

If you’d rather use a water additive to keep your dog’s mouth healthy, this Skout’s Honor option has been VOHC-approved to help prevent tartar buildup. It doesn’t have a smell or taste, so shouldn’t affect your pup’s water consumption, and can easily be measured out and poured in their water bowl daily.