The Best Dog Toothbrushes

Written by Katie Melynn Wood
Updated: March 5, 2023
© Boryana Manzurova/Shutterstock.com

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Keeping your dog’s teeth in tip-top shape is an important part of being a responsible dog owner. Tartar buildup can cause overarching and long-lasting health impacts on your dog. Not only can it impact your dog’s ability to chew and digest their food, but it can also lead to heart, kidney, or liver disease. Dental problems can also be uncomfortable and painful for your dog.

Fortunately, maintaining your dog’s dental hygiene ensures that they have the best life possible. While you can get your dog’s teeth cleaned at the vet or by some groomers, keeping up with brushing at home is another great (and more affordable) way to keep their teeth sparkling.

With options on our list for a variety of dog preferences and stages of life, there’s something for everyone to help keep your pup’s teeth clean and healthy.

  1. Vet’s Best Enzymatic Teeth Cleaning and Fresh Breath Dental Care Gel
    • Includes everything that you need
    • The brush is simple yet effective
    • Gel will remove tough tartar
    • Contains aloe, neem oil, and baking soda
    Check Amazon
  2. Arm & Hammer for Pets Tartar Control Kit for Dogs
    • Two-sided toothbrush
    • Includes a finger toothbrush to get close to the gumline
    • Dogs love the beef flavor
    • Can be used for multiple dogs
    Check Amazon
  3. Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Original Flavor Puppy Dental Kit
    • Includes a puppy-friendly toothbrush, finger brush, and toothpaste
    • The bristles on the brush are softer
    • Available in Nylabone original flavor
    • Vet-recommended
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. Gentle Disposable Dog Toothbrushes
    • The brushes work for all life stages
    • Made from flexible and pliable silicone
    • Come with a convenient storage container
    • For best value, buy in bulk
    Check Amazon
  5. Vetoquinol Enzadent Dual-Ended Dog & Cat Toothbrush
    • Great to get all of the hard-to-reach places
    • Can be used for all dog sizes
    • Combat tartar growth
    • Ergonomically designed
    Check Chewy Check Amazon

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for Dog Toothbrushes

#1 Overall Best: Vet’s Best Dog Toothbrush and Enzymatic Toothpaste Set

In our review, the best dog toothbrush is the Vet’s Best Dog Toothbrush and Enzymatic Toothpaste Set. It includes everything that you need to get started with brushing your dog’s teeth if you are new to this kind of dental hygiene or what you need to replace as you continue to brush your dog’s teeth. The brush itself is simple yet effective. This is a triple-headed toothbrush to get to every part of the tooth’s surface.

The toothpaste included in this package is another great item for your dog’s dental health. It comes in a gel formula, which is easy to use and stays on the brush even as you tackle your dog’s teeth. Ingredients include aloe, neem oil, grapefruit seed extract, baking soda, and enzymes that will help keep your dog’s teeth clean and breath fresh.

Reviewers said that this toothbrush and paste work best when used frequently. “I was very skeptical about using the dental gel,” said one reviewer. “But after trying this for about 30 days I can’t believe the difference. I have a 14-year-old whippet rescue and his teeth were horrible. The tartar has broken up and come off of his teeth with my fingernails it’s amazing how well this works. You have to be persistent and use it daily or even twice a day but it will do the trick.”

Some reviewers experienced difficulty using the toothbrush.

Pros and Cons of the Vet’s Best Dog Toothbrush and Enzymatic Toothpaste Set

ProsCons
This set includes a triple-headed toothbrush and an enzymatic toothpaste.Some reviewers experienced difficulty using the toothbrush.
The toothpaste is a gel that stays on the brush as you clean your dog’s teeth.
Ingredients include include aloe, neem oil, grapefruit seed extract, baking soda, and enzymes.
Overall Best
Vet’s Best Enzymatic Teeth Cleaning and Fresh Breath Dental Care Gel
  • Includes everything that you need
  • The brush is simple yet effective
  • Gel will remove tough tartar
  • Contains aloe, neem oil, and baking soda
Check Amazon

2. Best Dental Care Kit: Arm & Hammer for Pets Tartar Control Kit for Dogs

The Arm & Hammer for Pets Tartar Control Kit for Dogs includes a double-sided toothbrush, a finger toothbrush, and beef-flavored toothpaste that your dog is sure to love. The two-sided toothbrush has a small brush head and a large brush head. This makes it work for any size of a dog. Even if you have multiple dogs, you can use each end on a different pup or use a different brush for each to really get a custom experience. The finger toothbrush works to get close to the gumline. It can also be easier, especially for dogs who don’t want to get their teeth brushed.

When it’s time to replace either the toothbrush or the toothpaste, you can purchase each individually as well. Arm & Hammer makes a great line of dog toothbrushes for every stage. This kit is the perfect place to start to help you learn more about brushing your dog’s teeth. It also includes everything that you need to get started in one convenient purchase.

The beef flavor is beloved by dogs but not all owners. “I am going to be honest when I say the beef flavor stinks, but my dog sits and lets me brush his teeth with it, and I am assuming he likes the flavor,” said one reviewer. “He is eight months old and I want him to get used to brushing his teeth so that he is the healthiest he can be.”

Some reviewers said that the beef flavor smelled bad and made their dogs’ breath smell even worse.

Pros and Cons of Arm & Hammer for Pets Tartar Control Kit for Dogs

ProsCons
This dental care set includes a two-sided toothbrush, a finger toothbrush, and beef-flavored toothpaste.Some reviewers said that the beef flavor smelled bad and made their dogs’ breath smell even worse.
You can repurchase any of these components separately.
Best Dental Care Kit
Arm & Hammer for Pets Tartar Control Kit for Dogs
  • Two-sided toothbrush
  • Includes a finger toothbrush to get close to the gumline
  • Dogs love the beef flavor
  • Can be used for multiple dogs
Check Amazon

3. Best for Puppies: Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Puppy Dental Kit

The Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Puppy Dental Kit includes a puppy-friendly toothbrush, finger brush, and toothpaste formulated for puppies. After all, it’s best to establish healthy dental hygiene for your puppy early. The bristles on the brush are softer, perfect for delicate puppy mouths. The brush head is also smaller to fit the spaces of a puppy. You can use the finger brush to get the most control over the brush as your clean your puppy’s teeth.

The toothpaste is only available in the Nylabone original flavor. As your puppy grows, you can transition to the adult dog toothbrush and flavored toothpaste from Nylabone, available in bacon or peanut butter flavors. This is a great product to help train your puppy to love brushing their teeth. “My pup Charlie absolutely loves this toothpaste,” said one reviewer. “All I have to say is ‘Want your teeth brushed?’ and he will run full speed to the bathroom. He’s still a puppy and always tries to chew on the toothbrush but it has held up very well so far.”

Some reviewers said that their dogs like the flavor of the toothpaste, but won’t tolerate having their teeth brushed. A few reviewers said that their dogs hate the flavor of this toothpaste to the point where it makes them gag or vomit.

Pros and Cons of Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Puppy Dental Kit

ProsCons
This dental hygiene set includes a puppy-friendly toothbrush, finger brush, and toothpaste formulated for puppies.Some reviewers said that their dogs like the flavor of the toothpaste, but won’t tolerate having their teeth brushed
The bristles are smaller and softer to accommodate puppies’ more delicate mouths.A few reviewers said that their dogs hate the flavor of this toothpaste to the point where it makes them gag or vomit.
The toothpaste in the kit for puppies is only available in the original Nylabone flavor.
Best for Puppies
Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Original Flavor Puppy Dental Kit
  • Includes a puppy-friendly toothbrush, finger brush, and toothpaste
  • The bristles on the brush are softer
  • Available in Nylabone original flavor
  • Vet-recommended
Check Chewy Check Amazon

4. Best Finger Brush: Bodhi Dog Store Gentle Disposable Finger Toothbrushes

Bodhi Dog Store Gentle Disposable Finger Toothbrushes are great for reluctant brushers or just to get into hard-to-reach places. They go right on top of your finger and can be used to brush at the gum line or the entire tooth. These brushes work for puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs. Silicone makes each toothbrush flexible and pliable. You can wrap a paper towel around your finger before putting on the toothbrush for a snugger fit.

For the best value, consider purchasing these in bulk. They come in an eight-pack, perfect for those new to brushing their dog’s teeth or who are just switching to a finger toothbrush. You can also buy them in a container of 50 or 100. They come with a convenient storage container. This is a helpful feature to keep your dog from getting into a loose package and chewing up all of the toothbrushes at once.

One negative review said, “I like the idea, even though anything disposable is a waste. But who wants to clean dirty dog toothbrushes? I have average-sized fingers for a woman and these things are far too big. And the brush itself it too big for our 14-pound Yorkie’s little mouth. In this case, one-size-fits-all doesn’t work at all.

Pros and Cons of Bodhi Dog Store Gentle Disposable Finger Toothbrushes

ProsCons
These disposable, pliable silicone toothbrushes are designed to fit on the tip of your finger so you can easily brush hard-to-reach places in your dog’s mouth.The brushes are far too large for the average woman’s finger and too big to fit in a small dog’s mouth.
They are available in sets of eight, 50, and 100 and come in a convenient storage container.
Best Finger Brush
Gentle Disposable Dog Toothbrushes
  • The brushes work for all life stages
  • Made from flexible and pliable silicone
  • Come with a convenient storage container
  • For best value, buy in bulk
Check Amazon

5. Best Dual-End Toothbrush: Vetoquinol Enzadent Dual-Ended Dog and Cat Toothbrush

This Venzadent Dual-Ended Dog and Cat Toothbrush is great to get all of the hard-to-reach places inside your dog’s mouth. Much of the plaque and buildup can be near the gums. This sensitive area benefits from smaller bristles. Smaller dogs also need a smaller brush to accommodate their size. This brush can handle it all.

You will likely need to replace your dog’s toothbrush every couple of months at a minimum. This option is affordable enough to not worry about spending a lot of money to replace it. Some reviewers like it as part of an overall dental routine that includes professional visits. “He sees a dentist once a year for cleaning but this toothbrush keeps his teeth beautifully!” one wrote. “He has no gum disease and no plaque build-up! He loves to brush his teeth so I’m very blessed with that!”

Several users said that the sorbitol in the formula made their dogs sick.

Pros and Cons of Vetoquinol Enzadent Dual-Ended Dog and Cat Toothbrush

ProsCons
This dual-ended toothbrush is designed to get to all the hard-to-reach places in your dog’s mouth.Several users said that the sorbitol in the formula made their dogs sick.
It’s inexpensive, so you don’t need to worry about having to replace it every few months.
Best Dual-End Toothbrush
Vetoquinol Enzadent Dual-Ended Dog & Cat Toothbrush
  • Great to get all of the hard-to-reach places
  • Can be used for all dog sizes
  • Combat tartar growth
  • Ergonomically designed
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Whether you are new to brushing your dog’s teeth or you have been doing it for years, you will want a toothbrush that is easy to use, includes what you need to get the job done, and works with your budget.

Ease of Use

Some dogs love having their teeth brushed while others do everything to avoid it. No matter your dog’s preferences, you will want a toothbrush that you can control in your dog’s mouth. Long-handled toothbrushes can be great to get into the backspaces. Many have multiple brush heads to get a deep clean. Finger toothbrushes offer more control but are smaller overall. Find what works for both you and your dog to get the most effective clean.

Included Items

In addition to a quality toothbrush, you will need toothpaste made for dogs. These often have specialty ingredients and dog-friendly flavors, such as beef or bacon. Consider getting a kit that has everything included. Not only does this make your life easier (one purchase instead of multiple), but it can also save you money. This can be a great way to try out a new product or toothpaste.

Price

You will eventually need to replace your dog’s toothbrush. If your dog likes to chew, this will happen even faster. It’s important to consider the overall cost of replacing toothbrushes frequently. While most dog toothbrushes are not super expensive, it can still be helpful to remember to keep within a budget when you buy and replace them.

The Different Types of Dog Toothbrushes: Pros and Cons Compared

Dog toothbrushes can come in long-handled toothbrushes and finger toothbrushes. Each choice has its own pros and cons.

Long-Handled Toothbrush

ProsCons
Easy to holdLess control
Can have two sidesSome dogs don’t like it
Can have multiple brush heads

Finger Toothbrush

ProsCons
More control over brushingHarder to reach back teeth
Great for the gum lineNeed to be replaced more often
Good for reluctant brushers

Verified Review: User Experience

Our #1 Best Overall choice, the Vet’s Best toothbrush, gets top marks for its effectiveness. Along with the Vet’s Best dental gel, it is a great part of a dental cleaning routine for your dog. “LOVE! I have two springers whose teeth were getting bad- to the point where I was about to pay big $$ to get them done at the dentist,” said one reviewer. “I started using this and brushing their teeth every other day — oh snap this works magic — most of their plaque is gone already!! Great price and nice size bottle, I thought that it would be too small but I have been using it a lot already and still have a ton in the bottle!”

“This has been easy to use as my Yorkie loves the gel flavor and likes to chew on the bristle head which makes it easy to turn in his mouth for cleaning. It is very sturdy,” said one reviewer. This toothbrush can work on small or large dogs, although dogs who love to chew on it may put more wear and tear on the toothbrush than others.

Finger toothbrushes are another popular choice for dog owners who like a bit more control over how they brush. “I like these and my pups are getting used to having their teeth brushed,” wrote one reviewer. “I have a lot more control while brushing with these. If the brush is too big for your finger use a tissue to fill in some space. If it still slips try only using tissue on the fingernail side so that way your finger still can grip the rubber. I also bought a rechargeable headlamp so I can better see what I’m doing.”

About the Author

Katie is a freelance writer and teaching artist specializing in home, lifestyle, and family topics. Her work has appeared in At Ease Magazine, PEOPLE, and The Spruce, among others. When she is not writing, Katie teaches creative writing with the Apex Arts Magnet Program in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. You can follow Katie @katiemelynnwriter.

The Best Dog Toothbrushes FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How often do I need to brush my dog's teeth?

In an ideal world, you would brush your dog’s teeth twice a day. While some people say that their dogs “learned to love” having their teeth brushed,” we’ve never met one that didn’t fight us every step of the way. So aim for brushing your pup’s teeth at least once a day. If that’s a challenge, the bare minimum is three times a week, which will help keep plaque and tartar at bay.

 

What will happen if I don't brush my dog's teeth?

The list of health issues that can result from not brushing a dog’s teeth is long and scary. Suffice it to say that if you don’t brush their teeth, plaque and tartar can build up. This will cause bad breath and may cause gum disease and tooth decay.

Not brushing your dog’s teeth (regularly or at all) can also lead to painful infections that can spread from the mouth and gums to the bone and surrounding tissue and even into their bloodstream.

 

 

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