10 Alternatives to Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth Approved by Our Vet

Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is an essential part of taking care of them. Dental disease and having teeth pulled is a definite reality if their teeth aren’t properly cared for.

While regular tooth brushing is often the best option for maintaining clean teeth, for some dogs, it can be a bit of a nightmare. You might be on the lookout for alternatives to the old-school dog toothbrush and toothpaste. We hope that at least one of these options will work for you and your dog.

The 10 Alternatives to Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

These may make great options for everyday dental care in your dog, but they should not replace regular veterinary visits to check dental health and professional cleanings as needed.

1. Dental Chew Toys

Chew toys are ideal for cleaning your dog’s teeth, and they will have a ball while doing it!

Rope toys, like Mammoth's Rope Toy, help get in between your dog’s teeth—like dental floss—to help remove tartar and plaque.

A chew toy like Nylabone's Power Chew has been designed to stand up to intense chewing and promote clean teeth. There are a multitude of chew toys to choose from to suit your dog.

If your dog tends to destroy and swallow chew toys, this may not be the best option. Always be sure to choose a VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) approved toy for the safest and best results.

2. Dental Treats

There are many dental treats for dogs out there! Just one is Greenies Dental Dog Treats.

These kinds of treats are ideal for toothbrush-shy dogs (and owners) because the dog gets to enjoy eating something and have their teeth cleaned at the same time.

Be sure to get treats meant for your dog’s size, and maybe look elsewhere if your dog tends to swallow treats whole.

3. Dental Wipes

Most dental wipes are designed to wrap around your finger, which you then use to wipe your dog’s teeth and gums. These Petkin Dental Wipes include baking soda for cleaning and mint to freshen breath.

While this is fairly similar to brushing your dog’s teeth, they might mind your finger less than a scratchy brush. It’s certainly worth a try!

4. Dental Powder Supplement

This powder is as noninvasive as it gets—this supplement is usually sprinkled on your dog’s food.

Vibeful's Dental Powder Supplement is chicken flavored and contains zeolites and propolis, which help reduce plaque and tartar.

If your dog is super picky, they might not appreciate this addition to their food. But they might tolerate it better than a toothbrush!

5. Water Additives

Water additives are fairly similar to powder supplements except they are put into your dog’s water. They act as breath fresheners and help keep the teeth clean.

TropiClean's Dental Water Additive is one example of this kind of teeth cleaner. It is flavorless, but there might still be a residual flavor that can put off some dogs.

6. Dental Gels and Foams

The Vetality Twist & Lick Dental Gel works by twisting the gel to the surface, and having your dog lick it up. It then spreads inside the mouth to clean the teeth.

Foams like Nylabone's Dental Foam work in a similar way. The foam is squirted onto the dog’s teeth and gums, where it helps to break down plaque and tartar.

7. Dental Sprays

Dental sprays work with the same principle as gels and foams. You spray both sides of your dog’s teeth, and it goes to work.

Arm & Hammer's Dental Spray uses baking soda and enzymes to clean the teeth, freshen breath, and prevent tartar buildup.

8. Finger Toothbrush

I know we said no toothbrushes, but a fingerbrush is a slightly different tool. Rather than trying to control a hard plastic object in your dog’s mouth, a finger brush is made from soft plastic that slips over the end of your finger. You can then slide your finger in less intrusively and clean the teeth with the knobby surface and some pet toothpaste.

Jasper Finger Dog & Cat Toothbrush is a good option and it comes in a two pack so your multiple pets won’t have to share.

9. Dry Dog Food

The kibble in most dry dog foods can be quite good at scraping the teeth clean.

Some dry dog foods, like Hill's Science Diet Oral Care, are designed to help your dog’s teeth more than others.

There are also a few special foods specifically for oral care, but you’ll need a prescription from your veterinarian.

10. Cloth Wipes

Rubbing your dog’s teeth with a soft cloth wrapped around your finger is the cheapest method. You can use a washcloth or paper towel as long as you use clean sections of the cloth as you move from one section to another.

Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

Dogs can end up with all kinds of dental issues, which is why brushing their teeth is so important. If you have a young puppy, this is the best time to teach them to accept toothbrushing.

It gets trickier when they are older, but it can be done with enough time, patience, and praise (and treats). Still, in some cases, it’s a lost cause, particularly with rescue dogs that might have issues with people poking around inside their mouths.

Speak with your vet regarding any issues that you have with keeping your dog’s teeth clean. They will be able to give your dog a professional cleaning when needed and more tips on keeping them clean year-round.

Conclusion

It is best to brush your dog’s teeth daily or three or four times a week at a minimum. If brushing your dog’s teeth just isn’t in the cards, you can try experimenting with these tips and products.

Remember to double-check the product before purchasing. You must be sure you have the correct size for your dog, whether it’s a chew, toy, or dry dog food. Check with your veterinarian first as well to ensure that the product you want to use is safe.

While toothbrushing is the most effective way to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy, most of these tips make great alternatives and can help keep your dog’s teeth in good shape.

Featured Image Credit: Pravosudov Yaroslav, Shutterstock