The best dental care products for dogs
This article was originally published on Business Insider by Kate Barrington
Brushing your teeth is an important part of your daily routine. When it comes to your dog's teeth, however, you might not be so diligent. In fact, you may not even realize that brushing your dog's teeth is a necessity at all. Any responsible veterinarian will tell you that you should be brushing your dog's teeth on a daily basis or, at the very least, once a week.
The truth is that oral hygiene is just as important for your dog as it is for you. By three years of age, the majority of dogs and cats exhibit some evidence of periodontal disease. In addition to causing bad breath, gum disease in dogs can cause discoloration to the teeth and inflammation in the gums. If the disease is allowed to progress, bacteria can spread under the gumline and cause damage to the underlying bone. It can even seep into the bloodstream and cause an infection.
Fortunately, taking care of your dog's teeth is easy if you have the right products. Finding a good toothbrush and toothpaste is a great place to start, but you may also want to consider additional dog dental health products like water additives, gels, and dental chews.
The best dog toothpaste
Why you'll love it: With an irresistible poultry flavor, Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste is loved by dogs and dog owners alike.
Buying a high-quality dog toothbrush is a great place to start in improving your dog's dental health, but you also need some toothpaste. Never use toothpaste intended for humans on your pup's teeth because it may contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
When choosing a toothpaste for your pooch, you'll want to select one that gets the job done but is also appealing to your dog so he doesn't fight you the entire time. Our top pick for the best dog toothpaste is Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste. In testing, we liked how well it cleaned our puppy's teeth, and he enjoyed the flavor.
Specially formulated for dogs, Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste supports all aspects of your dog's dental health. In addition to cleaning teeth and freshening breath, it helps prevent plaque and tartar buildup for long-term oral health. This toothpaste is made in the USA from high-quality ingredients in a non-foaming, poultry-flavored formula your dog won't be able to resist.
In a review of the best dog teeth cleaning products, Dog Tartar names Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste as its top choice for the best dog toothpaste. The writer comments that the poultry flavor is appealing to even the pickiest dogs and the non-foaming formula means you don't have to rinse after brushing. The Hunting Dog reviewed this product favorably as well.
With more than 2,700 reviews on Amazon and an Amazon's Choice award, Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste also has a 4.5-star rating. Dog owners love how well the product works, though there were some dogs who simply didn't like the flavor.
Pros: Specially formulated for dogs, irresistible poultry flavor, cleans teeth and freshens breath, prevents plaque buildup, non-foaming formula means no rinsing
Cons: Some dogs do not like the flavor, some dogs do not like having their teeth brushed
Buy Sentry Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste on Amazon for $7.96
The best dog toothbrush
Why you'll love it: Not only do Duke's Double Ended Dog Toothbrushes work for dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes, but the price simply can't be beat.
Brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis is important for reducing plaque and calculus. Plaque is a sticky film-like substance that forms on the surface of your dog's teeth and while you can't see plaque, you can see calculus. Calculus is made up of mineral deposits and, if not removed, it can harden into tartar, which is more difficult to get rid of. To keep your dog's teeth clean and healthy, we recommend brushing after every meal with Duke's Double Ended Dog Toothbrushes.
In our testing, we found that the small head was ideal for our test puppy and the bristles were very soft. Duke's Double Ended Dog Toothbrushes are surprisingly inexpensive, too. You get two double-sided brushes for about $4.
Each brush measures 8.5 inches long so you can reach all the way to the back of your dog's mouth, and there are two different-sized brushes. These brushes feature ultra-soft bristles so they won't irritate your dog's gums and the angled heads make it possible to clean those hard-to-reach surfaces where plaque tends to accumulate.
Dog Plaque Removal Tips includes Duke's Double Ended Dog Toothbrushes in its list of the best dog teeth cleaning products, commenting that the size and shape of the angled heads are perfect for getting into the nooks and crannies of your dog's mouth. Petshoalso reviews this toothbrush positively, noting that the small brush can be used in the front of your dog's mouth and the larger brush in the back. The writer also comments that the brushes can be sanitized in the dishwasher.
With nearly 500 reviews on Amazon, Duke's Double Ended Dog Toothbrushes have a 4.5-star rating. Dog owners love the price and the soft bristles, though there are some comments about the handle being too long for very small dogs.
Pros: Double-ended design features large and small brush, angled heads to brush hard-to-reach places, extra soft bristles don't irritate gums, very inexpensive
Cons: Double-ended design makes the grip a little awkward, bristles may fall out with frequent use, handle may be too long for very small dogs
Buy Duke's Double Ended Dog Toothbrushes on Amazon for $3.97
The best solution for bad breath
Why you'll love it: Adding Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Tartar Remover to your dog's water can kill plaque-causing bacteria in his bowl and mouth for clean teeth and fresh breath.
If you don't get your dog used to having his teeth brushed when he is young, you may have trouble trying to brush his teeth when he gets older. Some dogs simply do not like having their teeth touched but this doesn't mean you can ignore your dog's dental health.
Using a water additive can help kill off plaque-causing bacteria both in your dog's bowl and in his mouth, keeping his mouth cleaner without the need for brushing. Our top pick for the best dog water additive is Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Tartar Remover.
Our test pup didn't seem to mind the taste of the additive and it helped with our cat's oral hygiene as well since they share a bowl.
Though it may not be an equal replacement for regular brushing, Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Tartar Remover can help prevent tartar buildup between dental cleanings. This water additive is specially designed to freshen breath and reduce plaque and tartar buildup by altering the pH of your dog's saliva. Simply add one tablespoon to 32 ounces of water and let your dog drink normally.
Dog Plaque Removal Tips recommends Nylabone's Advanced Oral Care Tartar Remover and comment on how easy it is to use. However, the writer confirms that some dogs dislike the taste. As a solution, the writer suggests diluting the additive with water and spraying it directly into the dog's mouth. A detailed review from The Dog Health confirms that the additive is effective and easy to use.
With more than 1,200 buyer reviews, Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Tartar Remover has a 4-star rating on Amazon and carries an Amazon's Choice award. Dog owners love how easy the product is to use, though there are some comments about dogs not liking the flavor.
Pros: Very easy to use, freshens breath, reduces plaque and tartar buildup, safe for dogs of all ages and breeds, kills plaque-causing bacteria in the bowl and mouth
Cons: Some dogs dislike the flavor it adds to their water, some ingredients may affect dogs that suffer from allergies, not an equal replacement for brushing or regular cleaning
Buy Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Tartar Remover on Amazon for $6.83
The best dog dental gel
Why you'll love it: Used alone or in combination with daily brushing, TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Gel freshens your dog's breath and helps prevent plaque and tartar.
If your dog won't let you brush his teeth — or if you're simply looking for a way to further boost his dental hygiene — a dog tooth cleaning gel might be a good option.
Dog tooth cleaning gels are a little thicker than sprays, which means that they remain on the surface of the tooth a little bit longer. Though brushing is not required with a dental gel, it may help to speed up the results. Our top pick for the best dog dental gel is TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Gel.
Our test puppy responded well to the use of a toothbrush and dog toothpaste, but we found that adding this dental gel kept his breath fresh for longer than toothpaste alone.
Safe for dogs of all ages, TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Gelworks quickly to reduce plaque buildup while also freshening your dog's breath. Simply apply it once in the evening and withhold food and water for about 30 minutes. As your dog licks his lips, the gel blends with saliva to start breaking down plaque and tartar. Without brushing, your dog may need daily treatment for 30 days after which you can maintain your results with twice-weekly applications.
A review from Dog Tartar likes the natural, holistic ingredients used in TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Gel, saying it does more than just freshen your dog's breath — it also cleans teeth to prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Top Dog Tips says that this gel soothes minor gum irritation and kills bacteria.
TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Gel has a 4.2-star rating on Petco with more than 40 reviews. Dog owners love how well it worked to improve bad breath, though some people didn't like having to apply the gel with their fingers.
Pros: Made with quality ingredients like green tea leaf extract, fights plaque and tartar buildup, freshens breath very quickly, can be used alone or in combination with brushing, helps maintain healthy gums
Cons: Some dogs disliked the mint flavor, caution required when applying the gel with fingers, may not work as quickly as brushing to remove plaque and tartar
Buy TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Gel from Petco for $15.99
The best dog dental chews
Why you'll love them: Whimzees Natural Grain-Free Dental Chews break up plaque and clean your dog's teeth even though they're treats.
A dental chew is different from a regular dog treat because it is designed to break up plaque and tartar buildup on your dog's teeth while he chews. You should look for a chew made with high-quality ingredients, free from artificial additives. It is also a good idea to find a chew that is somewhat flexible so, in addition to cleaning your dog's teeth, it poses little risk for GI obstruction if he swallows larger pieces of it.
Our top pick for the best dog dental chew is Whimzees Natural Grain-Free Dental Chews because our test pup loved the flavor and variety, while we liked the quality and the affordable price tag.
Made with potato starch for flexibility, Whimzees Natural Grain-Free Dental Chews are completely natural and free from gluten, grains, and fillers. They come in a wide variety of unique shapes and several different sizes so you can choose the one your pup likes best. These chews are safe for daily use and designed to clean and polish your dog's teeth while also preventing plaque and tartar buildup.
In a review posted on Rover, a vet tech named Whimzees his top pick for the best dental chew, commenting on the limited list of safe, natural ingredients. Canine Journal also reviews these chews positively, noting that they help fight plaque and tartar while also freshening breath.
Not only do Whimzees Natural Grain-Free Dental Chews have a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 350 reviews, but they have also been given an Amazon's Choice award. Dog owners love the variety of shapes and quality ingredients, though there are comments about needing to keep the container tightly sealed so the chews don't harden.
Pros: Short list of all-natural ingredients, gluten-free and grain-free, highly digestible for dogs, available in a variety of shapes and sizes, safe for daily use, cleans and polishes teeth, prevents plaque and tartar buildup, freshens breath
Cons: May harden if storage container isn't sealed properly, not made in the USA, some sizes may be too large for toy dogs or very small puppies
Buy Whimzees Natural Grain-Free Dental Chews on Amazon for $17.49
The best dog treats
Whether you are looking for a bite-sized indulgence or a healthy treat for training your dog, our top picks for dog treats will please your pup. Loaded with real meat and irresistible flavor, Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats are the perfect choice for any dog.
You should also consider the Wellness WellBites Soft Natural Dog Treats, the Blue Buffalo BLUE Dental Bones, the Stella & Chewy's Carnivore Crunch Treats, the Rocco & Roxie Gourmet Jerky Sticks, and the BLUE Wilderness Trail Treats Dog Biscuits.
The best pooper scoopers you can buy to clean up after your dog
Every dog owner needs a good pooper scooper to pick up after their pup when they go for a walk around town. Of all the scoopers we researched, the Bodhi Dog Complete Poo Pack is our top pick. With rolls of bags and a clip-on bag holder included, you have everything you need in one kit.
You should also consider the Four Paws Grass Wire Rake, the Nature's Miracle Jaw Scoop, the Petmate Clean Response Waste Management System, and the Royal Pet Spotty Metal Tray with Rake.
The best dog shampoo
Dogs tend to get messy and sometimes they run afoul of skunks or pick up other nasty smells. That's where dog shampoo comes to save the day. The Earthbath All Natural Vanilla & Almond Pet Shampoo is the best of the best with its all-natural formula that cleans and deodorizes without irritating your dog's sensitive skin.
You should also consider the Isle of Dogs Tearless Puppy Shampoo, the Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo, the 4-Legger Certified Organic Dog Shampoo, the SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula Triple Strength Dirty Dog Concentrated Shampoo, and the Vet's Best Hypo-Allergenic Dog Shampoo.
The best flea treatments for dogs
It's easy for your dog to get fleas, so you'll want to protect your pup with the best flea prevention products. Of all the flea treatment pills, sprays, shampoos, and collars out there, Frontline Plus is the best. It's easy to apply and offers a full 30 days of protection to kill both fleas and ticks.
You should also consider the Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor, the Vet's Best Natural Flea and Tick Spray, the Seresto Flea and Tick Collar, and the Novartis Capstar Flea Tablets.
The best dog beds
Every dog deserves a comfy, cushy bed to sleep on, and our top pick is the DogBed4Less Orthopedic Memory Foam dog bed. This durable, comfortable, waterproof memory foam dog bed comes in a range of sizes, so you and your dog are sure to love it.
You should also consider the Big Barker 7-inch Pillow Top Orthopedic dog bed, the Brindle Waterproof Designer Memory Foam dog bed, the Coolaroo Elevated Dog Bed, or the PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed & Lounge.
The best dog toys
We've tested some of the most popular dog toys on the market and scoured reviews to come up with our top pick, the Wobble Wag Giggle Ball. Affordably priced and durably constructed, this interactive dog toy wobbles, bounces, and giggles to keep your dog occupied for hours on end.
You should also consider the Starmark Bob-A-Lot, the KONG Extreme Dog Toy, the Chuckit! Classic Ball Launcher, and the Mammoth Flossy Chews Cotton Blend 3-Knot Rope Tug.
The best dog food
Your dog deserves high-quality food that's nutritious and healthy. Orijen makes the best dog food you can buy with the freshest regional ingredients. Every recipe is packed with protein, limited in carbohydrates, and loaded with natural flavor.
You should also consider dog food by Canidae, Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild, Primal Pet Foods, and Whole Earth Farms.
The best dog food bowls you can buy
Your dog may not care where he eats his dinner so long as he gets his kibble and table scraps, but having a good dog food bowl is important. For its durability and easy-to-clean design, the Our Pets Durapet Stainless Steel Dog Bowl is our top pick. We also have portable options and bowls for overeaters.
You should also consider the GPET Stainless Steel Dog Bowl, the Comsun Collapsible Dog Bowl, the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl, the IRIS Airtight Elevated Storage Feeder, and the Petmate Pet Café Feeder.
The best dog collars
Every dog needs a good collar that will keep him comfy on long walks and hold his ID tags. Of all the dog collars out there, the Lupine Original Dog Collar is our top pick with its heavy-duty design, big range of colors, multiple sizes, and its lifetime guarantee that even covers chewing.
You should also consider the Blueberry Classic Nylon Dog Collar, the Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collar, the If It Barks Designer Martingale Collar, the PetSafe Gentle Leader Head Collar, and the Herm Sprenger Ultra-Plus Prong Training Collar.
The best dog leashes
We've reviewed all of the best dog leashes on the market, and our top pick is the Max and Neo Reflective Nylon Leash. This leash is constructed from durable but lightweight nylon to handle dogs of all sizes.
You should also consider the PetSafe Nylon Leash, Leashboss Original Double Handle Leash, TaoTronics Retractable Dog Leash, and the Logical Leather Training Leash.
The best dog crates
Dog crates are great for keeping your pup out of trouble when you're gone from home, and dogs love to curl up in them for a nap. With its heavy-gauge, powder-coated steel wire construction, the MidWest Ultima Pro Folding Crate is our top pick. Not only is it highly durable and easy to clean, but you can use it for dogs of all ages and sizes.
You should also consider the Petmate Compass Plastic Kennel, the EliteField 3-Door Soft Dog Crate, the MidWest Life Stages Pet Crate, the ProSelect Empire Dog Cage, and the Crown Pet Crate Table.