Best dog toothbrushes to keep your pet's teeth healthy in 2024
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When it comes to caring for our canines, owners must pay attention to everything from the tops of their snouts to the tips of their waggy tails. This includes the oft-neglected area of oral hygiene.
Dog breath isn’t the most pleasant thing to have wafting into your face. While dental chews are a brilliant way to help naturally remove the build-up of plaque and tartar, human help is also necessary.
We spoke to Sean McCormack, Head Vet at tails.com for further insight into canine oral hygiene.
Why is it important to help our dogs maintain proper oral hygiene?
“Keeping your dog’s teeth and mouth clean is important to help prevent gum disease. If their teeth aren’t cleaned regularly, bacteria, plaque and tartar build up and become trapped within the gum line. Over time, this can cause gum disease, loss of teeth, pain in the cavity, redness and gingivitis.
“Dental disease is unfortunately one of the most common illnesses amongst dogs, with 80 per cent said to have some kind of dental issue by the age of three. Despite this alarming figure, only 2 per cent of dog owners brush their teeth daily.”
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If my dog has Dentastix and other plaque-fighting treats often, do I need to brush their teeth?
“Dental chews are a great addition to your dog’s oral health routine - they are designed to remove plaque and reduce tartar buildup on the teeth.
"Chewing also provides great mental stimulation for your dog, relieves boredom and prevents anxiety, as it releases endorphins, which act as a natural stress reliever. Plus, they are a great way to reward your dog for their good behaviour.
"However, just like humans, dogs benefit from regular dental checks at home and frequent brushing. Make checking your dog’s mouth at least once a week part of their routine. This can help you catch any problems before they become serious.
"Brushing your dog’s teeth with dog-friendly toothpaste at least three times a week will help remove plaque and prevent tartar build-up in the mouth. You must brush your dog’s teeth when they are in a calming environment, and a relaxed state."
What are your top tips for helping to keep our dog’s teeth healthy?
“Certain foods in your dog’s diet, like fruit and vegetables can help to break down plaque build-up on the teeth. Apples are a great source of vitamins A and C, and they are a healthy way to keep your dog’s mouth and teeth looking and smelling clean.
“Feeding your dog treats high in sugar can cause a build-up of plaque and tartar, so check the sugar quantity when looking for meaty treats, biscuits and dental chews. It's also important to avoid table scraps and foods that are unsuitable for your four-legged friend, like processed meats, bread, cake and other sweet treats.”
Best dog toothbrushes at a glance
- Best for a two-for-one: Vet's Best Dental Care Kit Gel and Toothbrush - £9, Pets at Home
- Best for pets on the move: Vet's Best Dental Care Finger Wipes - £8, Pets at Home
- Best for different brushes for fussy pups: OurDogsLife Toothbrush and Toothpaste - £11.99, Amazon
- Best for eco-conscious pet owners: Bamboo Dog Toothbrushes - £8.99, Amazon
- Best for silicone finger toothbrushes: Aujzoo Dog Toothbrush Set - £5.08, Amazon
- Best for a simple and effective solution: Beaphar | Toothbrush & Toothpaste Dental Care Kit - £8, Pets at Home
Best dental chews at a glance
- Best for classic chews: Pedigree Dentastix - Fresh Daily Dental Chews Medium Dog - £25, Amazon
- Best for all-natural ingredients: Small Woofbrush Gut Health Dental Chew (multipack) - £8.50, Lily’s Kitchen
- Best for extra prebiotic support: PetLab Co. Prebiotic Dental Sticks - £17.96, Amazon
- Best for textured chews: Whimzees By Wellness Variety Box, Mixed Shapes, Natural and Grain-Free Dog Chews - £18.99, Amazon
- Best for extra probiotic support: Pooch & Mutt Dental Probiotic Meaty Treats - £3.99, Pooch & Mutt
Keep scrolling for a round-up of the best dog toothbrushes on the market.
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Vet's Best Dental Care Kit Gel and Toothbrush
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Best for: a two-for-one
A double duty canine extravaganza, Vet’s Best Dental Care Kit offers an easy-breezy one-stop-shop option for pet owners.
The veterinarian-formulated toothpaste includes soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, gently cleaning teeth and freshening breath with natural flavourings that your pup will love. The triple-headed toothbrush helps to clean hard-to-reach teeth from multiple angles to support your dog’s oral health.
Vet's Best Dental Care Finger Wipes
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Best for: pets on the move
Portable, lightweight and brilliant for pet owners who are constantly on the move, these dental care finger wipes help to whiten teeth, freshen breath, reduce plaque and tartar, as well as encourage healthy gums. Simply pop one of the wipes onto your index finger and gently scrub at your pup’s teeth. In order to for these wipes to take full effect, ensure your pup doesn’t have any food or water for 30 minutes after application.
OurDogsLife Toothbrush and Toothpaste
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Best for: different brushes for fussy pups
From powdered supplements to dental foam, OurDogsLife has an array of fantastic dental products designed for our canine friends. This fantastic dental care kit includes a triple-headed toothbrush and two finger brushes to appease fussy pups. Suitable for dogs of all sizes and breeds, the brushes are accompanied by a 100 per cent natural toothpaste which has been formulated to treat particularly bad breath.
Bamboo Dog Toothbrushes
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Best for: eco-conscious pet owners
These double-headed bamboo toothbrushes can be used for both small and medium pets alike thanks to the versatile brush heads. Housed in 100 per cent recycled and biodegradable packaging, the semi-soft, BPA-free bristles are gentle on gums while working to remove plaque and tartar.
Aujzoo Dog Toothbrush Set
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Best for: silicone finger toothbrushes
Naturally antimicrobial, silicone finger brushes are a gentle yet powerful option to help keep your canine’s canines fresh and healthy. Offering 360-degree brushing power, this handy set is suitable for both cats and dogs.
Beaphar Toothbrush & Toothpaste Dental Care Kit
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Best for: a simple and effective solution
For those who find triple-headed brushes difficult to manoeuvre, this single-headed option offers a simple and effective solution to your pup’s oral hygiene needs. Equipped with varying length bristles, the brush has been designed to target difficult to reach areas. It’s accompanied by a dual-action enzyme toothpaste for a superior clean.
Best Dental Chews for Dogs
Pedigree Dentastix - Fresh Daily Dental Chews Medium Dog
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Best for: classic chews
Starting off strong, Pedigree is the most common brand of dental chews you’ll find for dogs in the UK. You can buy them in most supermarkets, or bulk buy them online if you already know your doggo goes crazy for them. Though they’re relatively easy to break up into smaller pieces for treats on the go, when given to your pup whole they’ll last long enough for them to receive all the added health benefits.
Pedigree Dentastix is said to reduce tartar build-up by up to 80 per cent, clean hard-to-reach teeth, support healthy gums and even promote fresher breath thanks to the addition of green tea and eucalyptus oil. However, if you’re worried about your pup’s reaction to these ingredients, you can purchase Pedigree Dentastix without the daily fresh plus ingredients. All Dentastix are available in packs dedicated to small, medium and larger dogs.
Small Woofbrush Gut Health Dental Chew (multipack)
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Best for: all-natural ingredients
Though the bubbly, tree bark-like texture on these chews is slightly different to the classic type you’ll see in pet supply stores, it has been designed specifically to reach your pup’s gumline in order to more effectively fight plaque.
Another pack of dental chews that are great for both your dog’s teeth and their gut, Lily’s Kitchen Woofbrush treats include inulin from chicory root for prebiotic support and psyllium seed husk for added fibre. The all-natural ingredients also help to promote fresher breath.
Once again, Lily’s Kitchen treats are available for mini, small, medium and large dogs. The small treats we’ve featured here are suitable for pups ranging from 6-10kg.
PetLab Co. Prebiotic Dental Sticks
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Best for: extra prebiotic support
These multi-purpose dental chews target oral health, hygiene, freshness as well as healthy digestion. Key ingredients used to make these treats extra healthy include oatmeal flour, mint, organic coconut oil and ground flaxseed. Just like Lily’s Kitchen, these treats also contain chicory root inulin as their main source of prebiotic protein.
They’re suitable for all types of dogs at all stages of life and can be broken up into pieces depending on the size of your pup and how aggressive of a chewer they are.
Whimzees By Wellness Variety Box, Mixed Shapes, Natural and Grain-Free Dog Chews
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Best for: textured chews
Enough variety to keep your dog entertained for aeons, this multi-pack of Whimzees by Wellness Variety Box is the dental chews your anxious chomper has been waiting for. Though on the slightly more expensive side, these grain-free and all-natural textured chews will not only take a while for your dog to get through, but they’ll massage your pup’s gums and fill their tummies with a wide range of healthy nutrients. They’re also available as classic chews.
Pooch & Mutt Dental Probiotic Meaty Treats
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Best for: extra probiotic support
These meaty treats from Pooch & Mutt are hypoallergenic, puppy-friendly and flavoured with delicious duck and rosemary to keep your pup coming back for more. Reasonably priced and available to purchase in bulk, these grain-free dental chews are great for pups with sensitive tummies who need a little bit of extra support in both the gut and oral health departments.
With sage and rosemary to help prevent plaque-causing bacteria and aid gum care, SHMP to prevent tartar formation and collagen to promote gum healing – these bite-sized dental chews are a great way to train and reward your dog with all the added health benefits. Plus, they’re shaped like cute little teeth.