Last Updated: 07/05/2025
Best Dog Toothpaste 2024 [Vet Reviewed]
Find out what to look for and our Vet's recommendations for the best toothpaste for your dog.
Author: Dr Jenny Eales BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 31 minutes - long read
Want your dog's teeth to shine, but unsure which toothpaste is right for your pooch? Look no further, here are our tried and tested best dog toothpastes.
Why is choosing the right dog toothpaste important?
Maintaining good dental hygiene is a very important part of keeping your dog in tip top shape! Not only is poor dental health the main cause of bad breath in dogs, it can lead to pain, eating difficulties, fractured jaws, and even heart disease! The best way you can look after your dog's dental health is to brush their teeth daily. Just like us, if their teeth arent brushed regularly, they get tartar forming, leading to gingivitis and poor dental health.
So what toothpaste do you use? Well the most important thing to remember when you are choosing a toothpaste for your dog is to never use human toothpaste. Human toothpastes can contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs such as xylitol. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in many human products but it is extremely toxic to dogs. When brushing your dog's teeth, you want to make it as enjoyable as possible so your dog lets you do it. Choosing a toothpaste that your dog likes the taste of is a must, as is choosing one that helps you to clean your dog's teeth properly.
Four reasons why it's important to choose the right dog toothpaste are:
- Safety: Human toothpaste can contain products that are toxic to dogs!
- Suitability for age: Not all dog toothpaste is suitable to use for puppies. Puppy toothpastes often contain ingredients to help with teething pain
- Cleans well: You want as toothpaste that will clean your dog's teeth well, and helpo prevent tartar formation
- Taste: Taste is important as it helps your dog to accept having their teeth brushed if the toothpaste is yummy!
How We Review Our Products
Our Pet Circle Vet Squad comprises 30 vets with over 120 years of collective, independent veterinary expertise. Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.
Top dog toothpastes in Australia
Best for Puppies: Vet's Best Puppy Teething Gel
Pros
- Suitable for puppies from 12 weeks of age
- Contains natural products to help soothe inflamed gums from teething
- Kit contains a silicone finger brush
Cons
- Pup may not like the taste
- Kit doesn't contain an actual toothbrush which might be better for larger breeds
- Only comes in one size
This is a great product to use to train your puppy to let you brush their teeth once they are 12 weeks or older. It contains natural products to help soothe teething pain, and it is so easy to use the included finger brush, especially with smaller puppies!
What our customers say: "OMG my puppy just loves this product. I can brush his teeth with somewhat of an ease. The finger brush is just perfect and he just loves the paste. He just about wags his tail off. Amazing product and have recommended to a friend." - Diabe
What our vets say: "The Vets Best puppy dental kit makes an ideal introduction to tooth brushing for young pups, helping to ensure that a dental homecare regime can start from as young as 12 weeks of age! It includes an easy to manoeuvre silicone finger brush, as well as a gel toothpaste packed with soothing ingredients to provide relief from teething discomfort. Itâs a great way to start familiarising your pup with the process of tooth brushing." - Dr. Katelyn
Best enzymatic toothpaste: Arm And Hammer Tartar Control Enzymatic Toothpaste
Pros
- Contains enzymes to help fight tartar
- There are several different flavours available
- Freshens breath
Cons
- Dogs may not like the flavours
- Tubes are only one size
Arm And Hammer enzymatic toothpaste helps to kill bacteria that causes bad breath in dogs. It comes in a few different flavours like vanilla ginger, chicken or beef, so you can choose the one that is most appealing to your dog. It is derived from natural ingredients and is suitable for both dogs and puppies.
What our customers say: "Does what it claims - removes built on tartar. After the first use I could see a visible reduction in the tarter buildup on my dogs teeth. It's nice to see a toothpaste that actually works while containing minimal ingredients when compared to some other options. My dogs are not adverse to the flavour either."
Best for natural ingredients: Petz Park Toothpaste For Dogs
Pros
- Includes natural ingredients like coconut oil
- Freshens breath
- Safe for all breeds and ages
Cons
- Only comes in one flavour
- Doesn't come in a tube
- No kits with a brush available
Pets Park Dog Toothpaste is full of natural ingredients like coconut oil, lemon myrtle, green tea extract and beeswax. It also includes silica as an abrasive to help clean the teeth. This toothpaste fights against plaque buildup while giving your dog nice smelling breath.
What our customers say: "Great Choice. As far as toothpaste for dogs goes this one is perfect. Taste wise no issues and it smells much better and fresher than any of the other ones that I've tried" - Grace M
What our vets say: "Toothbrushing isn't always fun for many pets so it definitely helps to have a toothpaste that not only helps you clean their teeth, but is also something they enjoy! I find that Petz Park Toothpaste is one of the most palatable options out there, making your dog's dental care routine a lot easier. It's formulated with coconut oil, which has long been known for its many benefits, including dental care, and a special blend of natural extracts that helps to freshen your dog's breath. " - Dr. Antonella
Best for polishing your dog's smile: Petosan Poultry Flavour Toothpaste
Pros
- Highly palatable
- Contains microscopic particles to help clean and polish pets teeth
- Good for dogs with protein allergies as the chicken flavour is artificial and it contains no animal products
Cons
- There is only one flavour available
- There is only one size available.
Petosan Poultry Flavour Toothpaste is very palatable to many pets and can be used in both dogs and cats. It contains hydrated silica and pyrophosphates to help control dental calculus and give your pet a shiny smile!
What our customers say: "My dog LOVES this. My 4 year old terrier went from running away when the toothbrush came out, to running to me. The only toothpaste he likes if I try to substitute he won't have a bar of it. Great product that not only tastes great (or so my dog says), but also gives a good clean!" - KMAC
What our vets say: "I use Petosan toothpaste for both my dog and cats. They all love the poultry flavour, especially my cat who will lick it off the toothbrush! I love that I can see the difference that daily brushing makes to their teeth." - Dr. Belinda
Best overall toothpaste: Prozym RF2
Pros
- Suitable for both cats and dogs
- Contains RF2 which works against the harmful biofilm in the mouth that causes
- Kit comes with finger toothbrush
Cons
- Kit only contains a finger brush and not a normal toothbrush
- Only comes in one flavour
Prozym RF2 Toothpaste is an excellent pet toothpaste that fights against plaque, tarter and bad breath. It contains a unique ingredient called RF2, which is active against the harmful biofilm of bacteria that builds up on teeth causing dental disease. The toothpaste dispenser is easy to use and the flavour is enjoyed by both dogs and cats
What our customers say: "My cat likes the taste and her teeth look good." - IAN
What our vets say: "I choose to use this toothpaste kit for my dogs. I like the rubber finger toothbrush for accuracy when brushing their teeth. The rubber bristles are soft enough to not cause damage yet effective enough to clean their teeth. Combined with a palatable poultry flavoured toothpaste that your dog will enjoy without realising the benefits of it. The unique ingredient, RF2, provides protection against biofilm which is the beginning stage for dental disease. For best results use daily" - Dr. Angie
What to look for in dog toothpaste
A flavour your dog likes
Using a toothpaste that your dog finds palatable is important to help them become accustomed to having their teeth brushed. You don't see many mint flavoured dog toothpastes because dogs don't find mint all that palatable. Consider your dog's favourite food when choosing a flavour.
An abrasive ingredient
Abrasives help to remove tartar from dogs teeth while you brush. Abrasive ingredients you might see in dog toothpastes include calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sodium chloride, silica or dicalcium phosphate.
An antimicrobial or enzymatic agent
Antimicrobial agents like RF2 reduce the amount of bacteria in your dog's mouth, and the biofilm that causes dental disease. They are an important ingredient in toothpastes.
Further Reading
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
