Updated: June 24th, 2022
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One of the most crucial dog care routines is keeping your pet’s teeth clean. To prevent canine periodontal disease, you need the best dog toothbrush to remove plaque and food from your pet’s teeth.
Cleaning your dog’s teeth with the correct toothpaste and toothbrush will prevent gum disease and tooth decay. But not all dog toothbrushes are the same. There are products specifically for puppies, adult dogs, and canines with sensitive gums.
To assist you, we’ve reviewed the top toothbrushes for dogs. You’ll also find a buyer’s guide at the bottom of this post to help you choose the right toothbrush for your fur baby. Keep reading to find out more!
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BOSHEL Dog Toothbrush PackBest Overall
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Arm & Hammer For PetsBest Quality
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SlowTon Pet Dog ToothbrushBest For Sensitive Gums
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Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental KitsBest For Puppies
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Arm & Hammer Clinical Care Travel Dental Kit For DogsBest Budget Buy
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Best Overall
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Best Overall
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Best Quality
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Best Quality
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Best For Sensitive Gums
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Best For Sensitive Gums
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CHECK PRICE → |
Best For Puppies
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Best For Puppies
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CHECK PRICE → |
Best Budget Buy
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Best Budget Buy
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CHECK PRICE → |
Dog Toothbrush Reviews
1. BOSHEL Dog Toothbrush Pack
The BOSHEL dog toothbrush pack comes with three toothbrushes that have dual heads. Each head has a different size to accommodate large dogs or puppies. You also get a fingertip brush for quick cleaning. Additionally, the bristles have medium firmness that works to remove stubborn food and plaque.
Key Features
- 8.5 inch handles
- 1-inch head and 0.5-inch head
- Tilted toothbrush heads
- Manual toothbrushes
BOSHEL’s toothbrushes have angled heads to easily reach the back of your dog’s teeth. Use the smaller head toothbrush to clean the front of the teeth. The handles of the toothbrushes are thin, but they won’t affect your grip when cleaning your dog’s teeth.
Pros
- Removes stubborn plaque and food
- Ideal for dogs of all sizes
- Bristles are gentle on your dog’s gums
- Easy grip handles
Cons
- Bristles may be too soft for severe plaque build-up
- The finger toothbrush may be too loose for some pet owners
The BOSHEL dog toothbrushes are frequently recommended by vets because of their quality design and ease of use. However, the fingertip brush isn’t adjustable, so it may be too loose or tight for some pet owners. If that’s the case for you, simply use one of the other two toothbrushes with either the bigger or smaller head. Both angled toothbrushes work well to clean the front and back of your pet’s teeth.
2. Arm & Hammer For Pets
Arm & Hammer make the best dog toothbrushes on the market. This kit comes with toothpaste with natural ingredients. The toothpaste is vanilla- and ginger-flavored and has baking soda as the main ingredient to remove plaque from your dog’s teeth. To easily reach the back of your dog’s teeth, the toothbrush has an angled head.
Key Features
- Soft bristle firmness
- 0.98 x 3.78 x 9.88 inches product dimensions
- Comes with 0.84 ounce toothpaste
This Arm & Hammer product is the best toothbrush for small dogs such as Golden Retriever puppies or Yorkies. The handle has an ergonomic design for easy grip. What’s more, the bristles of the brush are soft, so it’s suitable for dogs with sensitive gums.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Reaches the back of the teeth
- Small toothpaste that you can travel with
- The toothbrush is great for brush training
Cons
- Bristles may not be suitable for severe cleaning needs
- Toothpaste may not be suitable for all dogs
One downside to the toothpaste is that the tube isn’t big enough. On the other hand, dogs love the flavor of the toothpaste, and the toothbrush has the ideal design for dogs that move around when you brush their teeth.
3. SlowTon Pet Dog Toothbrush
This SlowTon product is the best dog toothbrush for sensitive gums. The ultra-soft bristles are gentle on your dog’s gums but able to remove food and plaque build-up easily. This toothbrush also has a wave design to massage your dog’s gums while you brush your pet’s teeth.
Key Features
- 10,000+ superfine bristles
- 7-inch handle
- 0.47-inch brush head
- Narrow toothbrush head
You get four toothbrushes in a pack, so you can keep one dog toothbrush at home, one in your travel bag, and two as a spare in case the others go missing. The 7-inch handle has a non-slip grip and ergonomic design so the toothbrush is easy to handle. These dog toothbrushes don’t have angled heads, but they can reach the back of your dog’s mouth without hassle.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Massages your dog’s gums
- Comes in packs of four
- Suitable for large dogs
Cons
- May not work for smaller canines
- May not be suitable to remove tartar build-up
Since the bristles of the toothbrush are extremely soft, they won’t work to remove stubborn tartar. But with the right toothpaste and the SlowTon dog toothbrush, you can get rid of plaque build-up easily. This toothbrush is also suitable for cats and small dogs.
4. Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental Kits
The Nylabone makes the best puppy toothbrush. This is because the toothbrush in the Advanced Oral Care Kit has an angled head designed to reach the back and sides of your puppy’s mouth. It also comes with pet toothpaste to remove plaque that causes tooth decay.
Key Features
- 7.5-inch long toothbrush
- 2.5 ounce puppy toothpaste
- Ultra-soft bristles
For more control, you can use the finger toothbrush that comes in the Advanced Oral Dental Kit. The finger toothbrush is ideal to use on your puppy’s teeth and train your pet to get used to toothbrushes.
Pros
- Gentle on your puppy’s gums
- Ergonomic handle for better control
- Toothpaste is 100% safe for puppies
- Cleans between teeth easily
Cons
- Not all pets will like the taste of the toothpaste
- Toothbrush may not be suitable for bigger dogs
The bristles on this toothbrush are soft which is what you need for your puppy’s teeth and gums. To remove stubborn plaque, it’s recommended to use the finger toothbrush. As your puppy grows, you may want to purchase a bigger toothbrush with medium bristles.
5. Arm & Hammer Clinical Care Travel Dental Kit For Dogs
If you travel frequently with your dog, then the Arm & Hammer toothbrush is ideal for your pet. It comes with a protective cover to prevent dirt and germs from contaminating your dog’s toothbrush. It also has soft bristles suitable for dogs with sensitive gums.
Key Features
- Angled handle
- Soft bristles
- 0.5 x 2 x 6.47-inch dimensions
The angled handle of the brush gives you more control when brushing your dog’s teeth. Additionally, the design helps you get to the back of the teeth and sides of your pet’s mouth easily. You can use this toothbrush with any pet toothpaste on the market to remove debris and plaque from your dog’s teeth.
Pros
- Easy to handle
- Suitable for all dog breeds
- Ideal to travel with
- Won’t damage your dog’s gums
Cons
- May not be suitable for dogs with tartar build-up
- May only be suitable for puppies and smaller dogs
The Arm & Hammer is made with pet-friendly materials, so it’s safe to use on your dog’s teeth. However, it’s advised that you store your dog’s toothbrush where they can’t reach it because your pet may chew the toothbrush.
Best Dog Toothbrush Buying Guide
As you can see in the dog toothbrush reviews above, not all products are the same. Some are suitable for smaller dogs while others are designed for bigger dog breeds. To help you choose the right toothbrush for your dog, we’ve done a comprehensive buyer’s guide below.
Signs Your Dog Needs Dental Care
Your pet’s oral health is the same as your own. If you don’t take care of your dog’s teeth, your pet can experience the following symptoms:
- Bad Breath: If you notice a foul smell coming from your dog’s mouth, it could be a sign of tooth decay or gum disease. It may be time to get your dog a toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Tooth Loss: It’s not common for dogs to lose teeth because they’re more resilient compared to human teeth. However, some dogs lose teeth because of tooth decay or gum diseases. You may want to invest in a pet toothbrush to help protect your dog’s teeth.
- Problems Eating: Does your dog yelp or cry when he or she chews on pellets? It could be a sign of rotting teeth and sensitive gums. Invest in the proper toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush before the problem gets worse.
- Sensitive Gums: This is caused by food that gets stuck in the teeth and under the gums. The only way to fix sensitive gums is to brush your dog’s teeth regularly.
With that being said, you can also choose the best chew toys for dogs to keep their teeth clean in between brushes.
Choosing The Right Toothbrush For Your Dog
Types Of Toothbrushes
Fingertip Toothbrush
A fingertip toothbrush fits over your index finger and is designed to easily brush your dog’s teeth if your pet isn’t used to a toothbrush. The product resembles a cap in the shape of a finger and has bristles on the side. If the size of the cap is too small, you can try fitting it on another finger.
The fingertip toothbrush is ideal for small dogs because the head is smaller. Additionally, you can buy them with any bristle density or firmness. You can also purchase them in a pet oral health kit or on their own.
Angled Toothbrush
Some pet toothbrushes have angled heads or handles to make it easier for you to reach the back and sides of your dog’s mouth. Although a dog’s mouth opens wider than a human’s mouth, some pet’s may not open their mouth wide enough for you to reach the back. With an angled toothbrush, you can get to their molars easily without hurting the inside of their cheeks.
Double-Headed
Some dog toothbrushes will have a head on either end of the handle. One head will be bigger than the other. Use the smaller toothbrush head to clean the front of the teeth or to brush a puppy’s teeth. The bigger toothbrush head can clean the back of your pet’s mouth.
Size
Size matters when it comes to pet toothbrushes, especially if you have a puppy. Some pet owners buy pet toothbrushes in different sizes to clean the front, sides, and back of the teeth easily.
For bigger dogs such as Golden Retrievers, you can use any size toothbrush with Golden Retriever toothpaste. But for smaller dogs, you’ll need a toothbrush head that’s smaller to fit inside your pet’s mouth.
Bristles
Dog toothbrushes have different bristle firmnesses such as:
- Ultra-soft
- Soft
- Medium
- Hard
- Extra hard
For dogs that have sensitive gums, choose a toothbrush with soft or ultra-soft bristles. You also want to use soft bristles for puppies. Dogs that have stubborn plaque or tartar need a medium to hard bristle brushes. You can always consult your vet to find a toothbrush firmness suitable for your pet.
FAQs
What toothbrush is best for dogs?
Soft to medium bristle brushes are suitable for dogs. You can use any toothbrush brand as long as it’s the correct size and it’s easy to control. Additionally, some pet owners prefer fingertip toothbrushes because it provides better control.
How often should you brush your dog’s teeth?
It’s recommended that you brush your dog’s teeth one to two times per week. To prevent plaque build-up, choose to feed your pet pellets because it cleans their teeth naturally. Or choose the best puppy food to promote healthy teeth, skin, and coat.
Can you make homemade pet toothpaste?
If you don’t have pet toothpaste, you can mix baking soda with beef stock as an alternative. However, pet toothpaste has ingredients in it that can prevent plaque build-up if you use the paste with the correct toothbrush.
Wrap-Up
It’s important to keep your dog’s teeth clean by using the right oral health products to prevent canine periodontal disease. Ensure you brush your dog’s teeth every week and use other products to protect their teeth such as feeding them pellets instead of wet food. There are also some dog treats that clean your dog’s teeth.
As you can see, there are various types of pet toothbrushes on the market. Use our buyer’s guide to help you choose the right toothbrush for your pet’s needs.
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