The best dog toothpaste for most dogs is the Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste. This page compares five dog toothpastes, a brushless gel and a brush kit that rate well on Amazon Australia, using what each listing says.
We quote the listings and add no health claims of our own. Where a product makes a claim, such as vet recommended or VOHC accepted, the page says it is the listing's wording.
Best dog toothpaste overall: Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste
Best dog toothpaste overall: the Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste, because the listing says its enzyme system reduces plaque and freshens breath, it has no foaming agents, and it has the most ratings of any 4.6 pick here.
The listing describes an enzymatic toothpaste for dogs and cats, formulated with an enzyme system to reduce plaque, freshen breath and ensure a clean mouth, in a poultry flavour. It names a C.E.T. Dual Enzyme system to inhibit the formation of plaque and lists no foaming agents, which it words as safe for pets to swallow. The listing says to use a soft bristled toothbrush such as the C.E.T. Dual Ended Toothbrush, and to apply daily or as directed by your veterinarian. The tube is about 71 g. It holds 4.6 stars from 17,127 ratings.
It suits owners who want a well rated paste with a clear enzyme claim and a flavour the listing says pets love. The honest catch: it is a poultry flavour only, and the tube of about 71 g is smaller than the tubes of about 176 g from the Petrodex and Arm & Hammer pastes, so a pickier dog or a bigger household may prefer another.
Best dog only formula: the Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs, because the listing says its patented enzymes help reduce plaque and tartar formation in a non foaming paste that needs no rinsing.
The Petrodex listing describes a dog toothpaste with patented enzymes in a non foaming formula that does not require rinsing. It says that with regular use it helps reduce plaque and fights bad breath, and it comes in a poultry flavour. For best results the listing recommends brushing at least 2 to 3 times per week with a soft bristled Petrodex toothbrush designed for pets. The tube is about 176 g. It holds 4.5 stars from 25,938 ratings, the most of any pick here.
It suits owners who want a paste made for dogs only, in a full size tube. The honest catch: it comes in a poultry flavour only, and the listing names a Petrodex toothbrush to use with it, so work out what you need for brushing before you buy.
Best value: Arm & Hammer Dog Toothpaste
Best value: the Arm & Hammer Dog Toothpaste, because it gives a large tube of baking soda enhanced chicken flavour paste that the listing says helps control tartar and deodorise bad breath.
The listing describes a tube of about 176 g, and the title says 2X more toothpaste. The baking soda is there to deodorise bad doggie breath, there is added calcium, and the enzymatic, tartar control formula helps control tartar as part of a dog dental care routine. The listing calls it non toxic, fluoride free and free of dyes. It holds 4.5 stars from 7,636 ratings.
It suits owners who want a large tube at a lower cost than the Petrodex tube of the same size. The honest catch: the listing says to use your preferred dog toothbrush, so a brush is your own addition, and the flavour is chicken only.
Best for puppies: Arm & Hammer Puppy Toothpaste
Best for puppies: the Arm & Hammer Puppy Toothpaste, because the listing words it for puppies and dogs in a peanut butter flavour with baking soda to deodorise breath.
The listing describes an enzymatic toothpaste for puppies and dogs that fights tartar, with the baking soda ingredient to deodorise bad doggie breath. The value size is a tube of about 176 g, which the listing says is more than 2X the standard size toothpaste of about 71 g. For first time brushers it gives directions: put a bit of toothpaste on your finger, invite the dog to lick, then progress to rubbing your finger along the gum line and teeth. It holds 4.5 stars from 4,078 ratings.
It suits a new puppy owner who wants the listing's own step by step introduction to brushing. The honest catch: it is a peanut butter flavoured paste only, and the listing is for the paste alone, so the toothbrush or finger brush its directions mention is yours to supply.
Best brushless gel: TropiClean Fresh Breath Dog Gel
Best brushless gel: the TropiClean Fresh Breath Dog Gel, because the listing says it is easy to apply with no brushing required and helps fight gum disease.
The listing names it a Fresh Breath Teeth Cleaning Oral Care Dog Gel in a 118 mL pack. The listing text is short: it says the gel helps fight gum disease and is easy to apply, with no brushing required. It holds 4.4 stars from 6,569 ratings, the lowest rating on this page, though from a large count.
It suits a dog that will not tolerate a brush. The honest catch: the listing text gives no flavour, ingredients or directions, so check the pack for the full directions.
Best VOHC listed: Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste
Best VOHC listed: the Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste, because the listing words it as the first and only VOHC accepted toothpaste with Calprox for plaque inhibition.
VOHC stands for the Veterinary Oral Health Council, which the listing spells out. The Petsmile listing describes Petsmile's proprietary Calprox formula, pet safe human grade ingredients, and lists it as BPA free, silica free, sulfate free, paraben free, gluten free, allergy free and vegan. The title gives a beef flavour in a tube of about 119 g. It holds 4.6 stars from 1,020 ratings.
It suits owners who want a paste with a plaque inhibition claim from a named council. The honest catch: it is the dearest paste on this page, the VOHC wording is the seller's own claim from the listing, and it has fewer ratings than the other pastes here.
Best brush kit: Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit
Best brush kit: the Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit, because it packs a dual ended toothbrush, a fingerbrush and a poultry flavour toothpaste in one starter set.
The listing describes a complete kit to start a program of regular oral hygiene for pets, in a 3 piece set. The dual sided toothbrush is designed for both large and small tooth surfaces, with a long handle, a reverse angle and soft bristles. The fingerbrush slips over your finger, and the paste is a tube of about 71 g, in a poultry flavour the listing calls great tasting. It holds 4.6 stars from 6,022 ratings.
It suits someone starting from nothing who wants paste and brushes together. The honest catch: the kit is for cats and dogs, so check the brush sizes suit your dog.
How to choose a dog toothpaste
Paste, gel or kit
Five picks here are toothpastes, one is a brushless gel and one is a kit. The pastes all expect a brush or a finger brush, so the real choice is whether your dog will accept brushing. If not, the TropiClean gel is the pick the listing describes as needing no brushing. If you have nothing at home, the Virbac kit saves buying parts one by one.
Flavour
The listings give one flavour each: poultry for the Virbac CET, the Petrodex and the Virbac kit, chicken for the Arm & Hammer dog paste, peanut butter for the puppy paste and beef for the Petsmile. If your dog turns up its nose at one, a different protein is the simplest change.
Tube size
The Virbac CET and the kit paste are tubes of about 71 g. The Petrodex and both Arm & Hammer pastes are tubes of about 176 g, and the Petsmile is about 119 g. The gel is 118 mL. A bigger tube suits a bigger dog or a multi dog home.
Read the claims as brand wording
Vet recommended, VOHC accepted, enzymatic and tartar control are all the wording of each listing, not our testing. Weigh them as claims, and weigh the rating and the count next to them. Where a listing says to follow your veterinarian's directions, that is the listing's advice.
Puppies, dogs and cats
The Virbac CET and the kit are worded for dogs and cats, the Petrodex for dogs, and the Arm & Hammer puppy paste for puppies and dogs. If you share one product between a dog and a cat, those two Virbac listings are the ones that say so.
Fit it into the grooming routine
Teeth are one job on a longer list. Our dog brush guide covers coat brushes, our dog shampoo guide covers the bath, and our dog nail grinder guide covers paws.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dog toothpaste in Australia?
For most dogs the Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste is our pick: the listing says its enzyme system reduces plaque and freshens breath, and it holds 4.6 stars from more than 17,000 ratings. The Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste is the dog only choice, and the Arm & Hammer Complete Care Dog Toothpaste is the best value tube.
How does dog enzymatic toothpaste work?
The listings describe it in the brands' own words. The Virbac CET lists a dual enzyme system to inhibit the formation of plaque, and the Petrodex lists patented enzymes in a non foaming formula that needs no rinsing. Neither listing explains the chemistry, so treat the claim as brand wording.
What do vets recommend for cleaning dogs' teeth?
We give no vet advice of our own. The Virbac CET listing says Virbac is the number one recommended dental brand by veterinary professionals, and to apply daily or as directed by your veterinarian. The Petsmile listing says it is VOHC accepted, and the Petrodex listing says to brush at least 2 to 3 times per week.
What dissolves plaque on dogs' teeth?
No listing here says a paste dissolves plaque. The wording is that the Virbac CET reduces plaque, the Petrodex helps reduce plaque and tartar formation, and the Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste is worded for plaque inhibition. These listings describe brushing with a paste, and the Virbac kit adds the brushes.
Which dog toothpaste has the best reviews in Australia?
The Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste, the Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste and the Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit all hold 4.6 stars, with 17,127, 1,020 and 6,022 ratings. The Petrodex has the most ratings on this page, 25,938, at 4.5 stars. The Vet's Best enzymatic gel has more ratings still but holds 4.4 stars, below the pastes picked here.
Is Petsmile or Virbac dog toothpaste better?
They suit different priorities. The Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste is worded as VOHC accepted with Calprox for plaque inhibition, with 1,020 ratings. The Virbac CET Enzymatic Toothpaste has an enzyme system and 17,127 ratings at the same 4.6 stars, and it costs less than the Petsmile. Choose the claim you value.
Is Arm and Hammer dog toothpaste any good?
Both Arm & Hammer pastes here hold 4.5 stars: the Complete Care Dog Toothpaste from 7,636 ratings and the Puppy version from 4,078. The listings describe a baking soda enhanced enzymatic paste in a tube of about 176 g, in chicken or peanut butter flavour, and the dog version is worded as non toxic and fluoride free.
What are the best dog teeth cleaning products for a dog that will not be brushed?
The TropiClean Fresh Breath Dog Gel is the brushless pick: its listing says no brushing required and helps fight gum disease. If you want brushes with the paste, the Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit packs a dual ended toothbrush, a fingerbrush and a poultry flavour toothpaste in one set.
What is the best toothpaste for puppies?
The Arm & Hammer Complete Care Puppy Toothpaste is worded for puppies and dogs, in a peanut butter flavour with baking soda to deodorise breath. Its listing gives first time brusher directions: put a bit on your finger, invite the dog to lick, then progress to rubbing along the gum line. It holds 4.5 stars from 4,078 ratings.
