9 Best Dog Plaque Removers of 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

A study of Swedish dog owners found that less than 4% of them brush their dog’s teeth on a regular basis, and nearly 80 to 90% of dogs over 3 years old suffer from some form of periodontal disease.¹ Your dog’s dental health is vital to their well-being.

After years of usage, your dog’s teeth may be more than an unsightly color. They may be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to serious health issues and pain. Fortunately, plaque and tartar buildup can often be prevented or reduced through daily brushing, using specifically designed food, chews and toys, or water additives, some of which have been evaluated and are recommended by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.² Periodontal disease is only reversible in the early stages of gingivitis. Speak to your veterinarian about dental hygiene or dental treatment if your dog is suffering from dental disease, as it may be too late to manage the issue with teeth brushing or plaque removers.

If you’re new to the world of canine tooth hygiene and aren’t sure where to start, read on. We’ve ranked and reviewed the best dog plaque control products and included pros and cons lists for your quick reference, as well as a thoughtful buyer’s guide to help you make an informed purchase.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites for 2025

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste	Appealing to most dogs Can be used on your cats too Prevents and reduces plaque	Check Price
Best Value		Arm & Hammer Dog Dental Care	Kit includes toothpaste, toothbrush, and finger brush Safe, gentle, and effective toothpaste Quick and noticeable results	Check Price
Premium Choice		Oxyfresh Dog Oral Hygiene Kit	Ideal as a complement to brushing your dog’s teeth Simply add to drinking water	Check Price
		Nylabone Dog Liquid Plaque Remover	Convenient to use Lower price than similar products Controls tartar and reduces plaque	Check Price
		Proden Plaqueoff Animal Powder	Conveniently added to your dog’s food Results within 2 to 8 weeks Reduces plaque and tartar buildup	Check Price

The 9 Best Plaque Removers for Dogs

1. Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste – Best Overall

Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste is designed to prevent and reduce the formation of plaque, as well as freshen breath keeping the mouth clean. It does not contain foaming agents, which means that it is safe for your dog to swallow.

It has also been formulated so that it has an appealing smell and flavor for your dog, making it easier to convince them that toothbrushing is not to be feared. This particular paste is not only good for dogs but can also be used on cats, which makes it a great choice for multi-pet households.

While this has proven popular and successful with a lot of pets, there will still be those that simply do not like its aroma or its flavor. Conversely, having a toothpaste that your dog likes the taste of can actually make cleaning their teeth more difficult if they try to lick or swallow the toothpaste straight away. All in all, though, the popular taste and the effectiveness of this toothpaste makes it the best dog teeth cleaner and overall dog plaque control product on our list.

2. Arm & Hammer Dog Dental Care – Best Value

For the best dog plaque control product for the money, we suggest trying Arm & Hammer dog dental care. For a low price, this kit comes with everything you’ll need to properly clean your dog’s teeth. In addition to Arm & Hammer toothpaste, the dental care kit comes with a tooth brush and finger brush but may be most suitable for puppy training and smaller dogs.

Intended for use at least several times a week, the baking soda-based toothpaste is safe and gentle for all dogs, including puppies. If your dog will allow you to brush their teeth, this product may reduce tartar buildup and freshen bad breath.

We found that this product works quickly and noticeably. However, the toothpaste may have an unpleasant odor to some, and a large number of dogs do not care for the taste. With all that said, we think this is the best plaque remover for dogs for the money this year.

3. Oxyfresh Dog Oral Hygiene Kit – Premium Choice

A lot of dogs hate having their teeth brushed, but it all comes down to proper training from puppyhood. However, dental hygiene is as important for dogs as it is for people. If their teeth become painful when they eat, they may stop eating, start picking at their food, pawing at their mouth, or drooling. They may also develop a tooth root abscess that can lead to systemic health effects.

Oxyfresh Dog Oral Hygiene Solution Kit may complement tooth brushing. This kit includes a non-toxic additive that you put in their water and that combines oxygen and zinc. It gets rid of bad breath and improves their overall dental health. It has no taste or smell, which means that even the most alert and suspicious dog won’t be able to detect it.

This has been a highly popular product for years and has now been put into a kit to help tackle all dental issues with one solution. However, some dogs may develop diarrhea or nausea, in which case the product should not be offered again.

4. Nylabone Dog Liquid Plaque Remover

For another convenient product that you simply add to your dog’s water bowl, Nylabone Advanced Oral Care plaque remover simply requires you to add one teaspoon to 32 ounces of water a day. However, remember that none of these products can replace regular daily teeth brushing, although the product ambitiously states so.

This product is claimed to reduce tartar and plaque buildup, and freshen your dog’s breath. Plus, it costs significantly less than our premium choice.

We placed this product at a lower ranking due to most dogs detecting it in their water and then refusing to consume it.

5. Proden Plaqueoff Animal Powder

Ideal for dogs who aren’t fans of tooth brushing, Proden Plaqueoff animal powder can be added to your dog’s wet or dry food. Within 2 to 8 weeks, most dogs will have noticeable improvements in their bad breath, as well as reduced plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth and gums.

This product works through saliva to clean and protect teeth. Produced to target unwanted bacterial biofilm in your dog’s mouth, Proden Plaqueoff is made with a specific strain of seaweed harvested from Scandinavia that’s known to create a protective barrier in dogs’ mouths.

Human-grade and human-tested, this product does not contain additives or chemicals. However, we found that some dogs experienced an upset stomach with this product. Additionally, your dog may not like the taste, and the level of effectiveness may vary. Also, the cost is moderately expensive.

6. Petrodex 484023 Enzymatic Toothpaste

If your dog tolerates tooth brushing and you’re in the market for an effective toothpaste, look into Petrodex Enzymatic toothpaste. This product is specially formulated to reduce plaque and prevent tartar while fighting bad breath and periodontal disease while keeping your dog’s teeth clean.

The patented enzymes in this toothpaste do not create a foam, which eliminates the need for rinsing. You can use this toothpaste with your own dog toothbrush or purchase the compatible soft-bristled Petrodex dog toothbrush. When used two or three times a week, you should see positive results in a short amount of time.

This toothpaste has a poultry flavor that most dogs find agreeable but most humans find foul-smelling. While most dogs saw whiter teeth, many did not experience improvements with bad breath. Also, this product may cause an upset stomach in some dogs if ingested.

7. TropiClean Fresh Breath Dental Health Water Additive

If you’d like to combine the toothbrush route with something else, you may be interested in TropiClean Fresh Breath Water Additive. With this product, you simply apply two drops of the gel directly into each side of your dog’s mouth.

Intended for daily use, this water additive has a unique blend of natural ingredients, including green tea extract, which works to reduce plaque and tartar, prevent new buildup, and provide fresh breath. You should see improvements in the health of your dog’s teeth and gums within 30 days.

8. Warren London Doggy Dental Spray

Applied directly to your dog’s teeth and gums or added to your dog’s water bowl, Warren London Doggy Dental Spray fights tartar, plaque, gum or periodontal disease. It also freshens your dog’s bad breath. This dental spray is intended to complement toothbrushing and works well to maintain your dog’s oral health between cleanings.

Made with six all-natural ingredients — distilled water, peppermint extract, cinnamon, honey, cloves, and aloe vera — you can feel confident that your dog won’t suffer an adverse reaction. You’ll most likely enjoy the spiced smell of this product, and we found that most dogs enjoy the flavor.

The few drawbacks of this spray include less effectiveness in whitening your dog’s teeth. Also, it will not remove the pre-existing buildup of plaque and tartar in your dog’s mouth.

9. Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste

Included with the Vet’s Best Enzymatic dog toothpaste is a three-headed toothbrush that is designed to reach fully around your dog’s teeth for a more thorough cleaning. When used with the enzymatic toothpaste, your dog will have whiter teeth, with reduced tartar and plaque buildup, healthier gums, and fresher breath.

Veterinarian formulated for effectiveness and soothing qualities, this enzymatic toothpaste contains aloe, neem oil, grapefruit seed extract, baking soda, and enzymes. We did find a few instances of dogs reacting with stomach issues.

We placed this product as our second-to-last pick for two issues. First, we learned that a significant number of dogs did not like the taste. Second, many dog owners did not care for the toothbrush’s specially designed ability to properly clean their dog’s teeth.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Plaque Remover

After reading through our detailed reviews, along with our handy pros and cons lists, it’s understandable that you may still have questions about which plaque remover product is the best choice for your dog. In this quick buyer’s guide, we’ll go over which cleaning method is best, as well as which ingredients to avoid if you’re worried about adverse reactions.

What’s the Most Effective Method of Cleaning My Dog’s Teeth?

The answer to that question has to do with your dog’s willingness to allow you to work on their mouth. If you have an agreeable dog that’s used to having their teeth brushed, then toothpaste and a toothbrush should prevent most tartar buildup and the daily adhesion of plaque. However, any type of dental care is better than nothing at all. It’s important to start with tooth brushing from a young age, so your dog can get used to it and even learn to enjoy it.

Which Ingredients Should I Avoid?

If possible, try to avoid the following ingredients that could potentially cause adverse reactions in your dog, from stomach issues to more severe reactions. These include alcohol, fluoride, grapefruit seed extract, methylparaben, artificial colors such as FD&C Blue 1, artificial flavors, and sweeteners such as xylitol, which is toxic for dogs. If there are any ingredients not listed here, please consult with your veterinarian. Many of these products may be deemed safe if ingested, but excess ingestion can lead to a stomach upset in some dogs.

Our Dog Plaque Removers Selection Process

When it comes to selecting products, Hepper has a committed team of writers and editors who work closely with licensed veterinarians to find the very best in today’s market. Together, they consider customer feedback, brand reputation, veterinary expertise, and whenever possible, hands-on testing. We aim to select and review the highest-quality products to help you make informed choices that meet both your and your pet’s needs.

Why Trust Hepper?

Since 2007, Hepper has been a trusted and growing online brand and resource with the edge of creating and retailing our own line of cat furniture, toys, and gear, and pet consumables, giving us valuable insights into how to choose dog plaque removers. Our driven team of pet-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to empowering our readers to make the best decisions for their animal companions. Our priority lies in providing top-notch information and recommendations. Our team is genuinely invested in the health and well-being of all pets worldwide, believing that expert knowledge is crucial for achieving this goal.

Conclusion:

Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste earned our top pick as the best overall dog plaque remover. This convenient powder has a high level of success in reducing both plaque and tartar build-up, as well as freshening your dog’s breath. You’ll see positive results within a month. This product contains multiple beneficial ingredients and most dogs like the flavor.

For the best value, Arm & Hammer SF8170 Dog Dental Care comes in a kit that includes toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a fingerbrush. The multiple brush sizes accommodate all sizes of dogs. The safe, gentle, and effective toothpaste yields quick and noticeable results for reducing tartar, whitening teeth, and freshening breath.

Finally, we selected Oxyfresh Dog Oral Hygiene Solution as our premium choice for an easy-to-use product that you add directly to your dog’s water bowl for effective daily dental cleaning. This product works well to reduce plaque and tartar, strengthen gums, whiten teeth, and freshen breath. Dogs will not protest the flavor, as it’s tasteless.

Your dog’s oral care shouldn’t have to be a worry or a hassle to accomplish. We hope that our top list and buyer’s guide have given you a few options to try, as well as plenty of important information about improving the health of your dog’s teeth. With the right dental care product and routine, your dog will not only have whiter teeth and fresh breath but also better overall health, which may add years to your beloved companion’s life.

Related Reads:

• Should You Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
• How Much Does Dog Teeth Cleaning Cost?

Featured Image Credit: PixieMe, Shutterstock