Does your dog have smelly breath? Has your veterinarian told you your dog has plaque or tartar on their teeth? Are you worried your dog may have to undergo anesthesia for a “deep cleaning” at some point due to their bad teeth? An enzymatic toothpaste can help keep your dog’s teeth clean and freshen their breath.
This post will look at what an enzymatic toothpaste is, how it works, tips for brushing your dog’s teeth, and some of our top choices of enzymatic toothpaste for dogs.
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Related: Best Dog Toothbrush For A Clean Mouth, Best Dog Dental Spray For Cleaner Teeth, Best Dental Water Additive For Your Pup
What Is Enzymatic Toothpaste For Dogs?
Enzymatic toothpaste for dogs is specifically designed for use on dogs’ teeth. It is made with ingredients that are safe for your dog to ingest, so it is ok if your dog licks or swallows some of it while you brush their teeth.
Enzymatic toothpaste is also designed to be waterless. This means you don’t need to use any water while brushing your dog’s teeth or to rinse out their mouth when you are finished.
How Does Enzymatic Toothpaste Work?
Enzymatic toothpaste works by breaking down food and bacteria that can build up on your dog’s teeth.
This bacteria can cause plaque buildup, leading to the formation of tartar on your dog’s teeth.
Since enzymatic toothpaste breaks this bacteria down, it decreases the likelihood of plaque and tartar building up on your dog’s teeth, effectively keeping their teeth clean and breath fresh.
How Often Should I Use Enzymatic Toothpaste On My Dog?
Enzymatic toothpaste can be used every day on your dog. If everyday is not feasible for you, aim for at least three times per week.
Does Enzymatic Toothpaste Remove Tartar On Dogs?
Enzymatic toothpaste helps break down the bacteria that can cause plaque and tartar buildup, however, if your dog already has tartar on their teeth, it may not fully remove it. It may help to lessen the severity of it, so it is definitely worth it to still brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis.
How Do You Remove Stubborn Plaque From A Dog’s Teeth?
To remove stubborn plaque from a dog’s teeth, make sure to brush your dog’s teeth regularly, brushing a bit more on teeth that already have plaque buildup on them.
How Do I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?
It may seem like a daunting task, but brushing your dog’s teeth should be a part of their daily routine, just like it is for us.
First, get your dog used to the taste of the toothpaste. Enzymatic toothpaste for dogs comes in a variety of flavors, from chicken to beef, and some don’t have any flavor at all. Do this by putting some toothpaste onto your finger and letting your dog lick it.
Next, if your dog seems to be ok with the taste, put some toothpaste onto your finger and touch their teeth with it.
Then, when they are comfortable with you touching their teeth, you can use a back and forth motion with the toothpaste on your finger.
When your dog is comfortable with this, you can introduce the toothbrush. There are different types of dog toothbrushes available so you may have to experiment to find one that is comfortable for both you and your dog.
Again, touch their teeth with the toothbrush and gradually add toothpaste to it and the back and forth motion of brushing their teeth.
Give praise throughout each step in the process. Your dog will be comfortable with having their teeth brushed in no time!
What Are The Best Enzymatic Toothpastes For Dogs?
The best enzymatic toothpaste for dogs is one that your dog likes the taste of and gets the job done of breaking up plaque and preventing plaque and tartar buildup. Some things to look for when deciding on an enzymatic toothpaste for your dog include:
Taste
Does your dog have a preference for a particular type of food? Choose a toothpaste with that flavor. Your dog will be more interested in it and be more likely to let you brush their teeth.
Ingredients
Always check the ingredients of the enzymatic toothpaste to be sure there aren’t any ingredients that your dog may be allergic or sensitive to.
Brushless
For dogs that just can’t or won’t warm up to having a toothbrush in their mouth or constantly move around so you can’t brush their teeth, there are brushless enzymatic toothpastes available. Instead of putting the toothpaste onto a toothbrush and brushing your dog’s teeth, you squeeze a portion of the toothpaste (usually in gel form) onto your dog’s teeth. The enzymatic activity from the gel will work on decreasing plaque buildup. It may not be as effective as brushing, but can help and is better than not using anything at all.
Best Enzymatic Toothpaste For Dogs
Here are 5 enzymatic toothpastes for dogs. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste
This toothpaste can be used daily and is poultry flavored.
- Poultry flavor.
- Designed with ingredients that are safe to swallow.
- No need to rinse.
- Able to use daily.
- Made in the USA with ingredients sourced from Canada.
Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste
This toothpaste has a variety of flavors available to choose from and uses a dual enzyme system to decrease plaque formation.
- Available in various flavors.
- Contains C.E.T. Dual Enzyme system to inhibit plaque formation.
- Safe to be swallowed.
- Does not contain any foaming ingredients.
- Made in the USA.
Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste
This toothpaste uses plant based ingredients and is flavor free.
- Cleans plaque and tartar.
- Freshens breath.
- Plant based ingredients.
- Flavor free.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste
This is the only toothpaste approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. It contains human grade ingredients and is free of any animal by-products.
- Controls plaque and tartar.
- Freshens breath.
- Whitens teeth.
- Approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
- Uses an encapsulated form of calcium peroxide to clean teeth.
- No animal by-products.
- Vegan.
- Gluten free.
- Silica free.
- Sulfate free.
- Paraben free.
- BPA free.
- Uses human grade ingredients.
- Made in the USA.
Oratene Brushless Toothpaste For Dogs
This is a brushless toothpaste that can help dogs with dry mouth and helps freshen breath.
- For dogs with dry mouth symptoms.
- Dissolves plaque biofilm.
- Inhibits odor causing bacteria.
- Restores saliva’s natural protective abilities.
- Dye free.
- Alcohol free.
- No chlorine compounds.
- Xylitol free.
- Chlorhexidine free.
- Made in the USA.
Brushing your dog’s teeth is an important part of their daily routine. Using an enzymatic toothpaste for dogs can help keep your dog’s teeth clean and freshen their breath.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.