The 12 Best Dog Toothbrushes
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Proper dental hygiene is crucial for your dog, just like it is for humans, to avoid teeth decay and foul breath. Many pet parents overlook this simple but crucial habit, believing that their dog's dry kibble is sufficient to keep their dog's teeth clean.
While kibble can help eliminate plaque, it won't assist with trapped food, which can lead to tooth damage and poor breath, thus a more proactive strategy is required.
This is when canine toothbrushes come in handy. Most dogs dislike having their pearly whites cleaned — at least not at first — and starting the procedure early on and using the proper toothbrush will go a long way toward making the process immensely simpler.
Normal toothbrushes are usually too huge, too rough, or too difficult to use for dogs, therefore a specially designed dog toothbrush is the best solution.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) combed the internet for the best dog toothbrushes, complete with detailed reviews. If you're searching for a toothbrush for your dog, check out our recommendations below!
Reviews
TropiClean Tripleflex Fresh Breath Dog Toothbrush
- 7.5 inches in length
- Weight: 0.8 oz.
- Suitable for: both large and small breeds
According to our study, the TropiClean Fresh Breath Tripleflex Toothbrush is the best dog toothbrush for the money. The brush is designed with three sides to give your dog a 360-degree clean that polishes both the front and rear of their teeth.
This speeds up brushing, and the smooth finger grip makes brushing more accurate and comfortable for you. Finally, the brush comes in two sizes, making it suited for all breeds.
While this toothbrush speeds up brushing, the broad head cannot effectively clean hard-to-reach places, especially in tiny dogs. Furthermore, the bristles are a little too harsh for delicate dogs.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Design with three sides
- Brushing becomes more efficient.
- Fingertip Grip
- There are two sizes available.
Cons
- Not really precise.
- Not suitable for extremely tiny pets.
Professional Pet Toothbrush by Petsmile
- 8.64 inches in length
- Weight: 0.60 oz.
- All breeds are suitable.
The Petsmile Professional Pet Toothbrush is an excellent choice if you want a quality, professional solution for your dog. The brush head features a revolutionary 45-degree angle that allows the side and center bristles to properly polish teeth while still reaching those hard-to-reach areas.
The dual ends make it suitable for dogs of all sizes, and the ergonomic handle ensures a pleasant and precise brush, as well as 5 rows of BPA-free bristles. The brush is proudly created in the United States, and the only drawback is the rather high price.
Pros
- Brush head with patented 45-degree angled bristles
- Design with two ends
- Ergonomic grip
- bristles free of BPA
- Made in the United States
Cons
- Expensive
Dual-Head Toothbrush for Dogs and Cats by Pet Republique
- 8.5 inches in length
- Weight: 0.60 oz.
- All breeds are suitable.
The Pet Republique Toothbrush is a dual-head brush that is suitable for delicate, hard-to-reach regions on dogs of all sizes. The toothbrush comes in a set of three, which represents excellent value for money and is ideal if you have more than one dog.
It includes a long and thin handle with small and big brush heads for precise and comfortable brushing, as well as medium-textured bristles that will not irritate your dog. Finally, we adore that Pet Republique will give 15% of all earnings to the American Animal Rescue Society, so every purchase helps a dog in need!
Several consumers complained that the brush’s handle is thin and readily bendable, making brushing difficult, especially on bigger breeds.
Pros
- Design with two heads
- 3-pack
- Handle is long and thin.
- Bristles of medium texture
Cons
- Handle is flimsy and readily bent.
Dog Finger Brush Nylabone Advanced Oral Care
- 6 inch length
- Weight: 0.20 oz.
- Medium to big breeds are suitable.
If your dog dislikes brushing with a traditional toothbrush, a finger toothbrush can be the best option. The Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Finger Brush is quick and simple to use, featuring soft rubber bristles that are efficient while still being gentle on sensitive gums.
The rubber bristles are long-lasting and BPA-free, making them completely safe for your dog and suitable for pups and adults of nearly any breed. The finger brushes come in a set of two, making them perfect for a spare or multiple-dog households.
These brushes are a little large for little dog breeds because they’re roughly the thickness of a finger and difficult to use in small mouths. Furthermore, the brush may be either little or too large for your fingertips, making precise and complete application difficult.
Pros
- Quick and simple to use
- Bristles made of soft rubber
- BPA-free
- Two-piece set
Cons
- Inexpensive
- Not suitable for little dogs.
- There is just one size available.
Dual-Ended Vetoquinol Enzadent Toothbrush for Dogs and Cats
- 11 inches in length
- 3 ounces in weight
- Medium to big breeds are suitable.
The Vetoquinol Enzandent Dual-Ended Toothbrush has a big and a tiny head, making it great for those difficult-to-reach regions. The heads are ergonomically inclined to make brushing even simpler, and the bristles are mild yet effective, making them excellent for more sensitive dogs.
It includes a long handle that can reach the rear of even huge dogs’ jaws, as well as triangular heads that cover a broad area and speed up brushing.
Even the little head of this toothbrush may be too large for smaller canines. Several consumers have also reported that the bristles fall off readily, even after just one or two brushing.
Pros
- Design with two heads
- Ergonomic angling
- The long handle
- Soft bristles on a triangular head
Cons
- Not suitable for tiny breeds
- Bristles readily fall out.
Vet’s Recommended Dental Finger Dog Toothbrush
- 3 inch length
- Weight: 0.10 oz.
- Medium to big breeds are suitable.
The Vet’s Best Dental Finger Toothbrush comes in a box of 10 and is reasonably priced, making it suitable for multi-dog families. The toothbrush is constructed of soft, food-grade, BPA-free silicone and has gentle yet efficient bristles that clean your dog’s teeth pleasantly.
The brush is designed to suit most small to medium-sized fingers up to 34 inch in diameter and has a non-slip design that keeps it on your finger even when wet.
Unfortunately, this brush is too little to go on large fingers, and the bristles area is too small to be useful. Furthermore, this brush is way too huge for smaller breeds or pups, and is only ideal for larger dogs.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Pack of ten
- Plastic that is BPA-free
- Slip-resistant design
Cons
- Most fingers are too tiny.
- Bristles are few.
- Not suitable for little dogs.
Toothbrush Set for Small Dogs and Cats by H&H Pets
- 6 inch length
- Weight: 0.30 oz.
- Small breeds are suitable.
The H&H Pets Toothbrush is inexpensive and created particularly for tiny dog breeds and pups. It is built with ultra-soft, polished bristles that are gentle on your dog’s gums while successfully removing plaque and dirt.
It boasts an ergonomic handle to prevent sliding and make brushing more accurate, as well as a tapered end to reach those hard-to-reach regions. The brush comes in a bundle of four, so you may have spares or one for each canine, and a portion of each purchase will be given to non-profit animal rescue groups.
This brush has lengthy bristles, making it difficult to brush your dog’s rear teeth. Furthermore, several buyers noted that the bristles fell out after only a few usage, and this toothbrush is not ideal for huge or even medium-sized dog breeds.
Pros
- Perfect for little dog breeds
- Inexpensive
- a set of four
- Grip that is ergonomic
Cons
- Bristles that are extremely long
- Bristles of poor quality
- Large dog breeds are not recommended.
Toothbrush for Dogs and Cats Made of Woobamboo
- 5.5 inches in length
- 1.5 ounces in weight
- All breeds are suitable.
The Woobamboo Dog Toothbrush is available in two sizes, making it suitable for both small and large dog breeds. The toothbrush is constructed of eco-friendly, fast-growing bamboo that is 100 percent biodegradable after use or may be used as a safe stick toy, and it is packaged in recycled materials.
The handle is ergonomically constructed with a thumb hump for pleasant and precise brushing, and the bristles are high-quality, vet-approved dog bristles.
Unfortunately, while the bamboo design is good for the environment, it is also quite prone to break, and one little bite would quickly split the handle. Furthermore, even the bigger size is way too tiny for larger dog breeds, and the bristles are far too long to brush smaller dogs adequately.
Pros
- Bamboo is an environmentally beneficial material.
- There are two sizes available.
- Totally biodegradable
- Ergonomic grip
Cons
- Very easily breaks
- Large breeds will find it too tiny.
- Bristles that are long
Fresh Spectrum Large 360 Degree Toothbrush by Arm & Hammer
- 8-inch length
- 3.20 ounces in weight
- All breeds are suitable.
The innovative 360-degree head of the Arm & Hammer Fresh Spectrum 360 Degree Toothbrush brushes your dog’s teeth from any angle, making cleaning significantly more efficient.
It includes an ergonomic handle that makes brushing your dog’s teeth more precise and pleasant, and it can clean your dog’s teeth in half the time of a traditional toothbrush. The brush also boasts powerful bristles that clean well while being gentle on your dog’s gums.
This brush is stiff and, unfortunately, not very sturdy, and the head easily breaks off even with a slight bite, posing a choking hazard. Furthermore, while the 360 design is faster, it is significantly less precise and harder to reach the rear of your dog’s mouth.
Pros
- One-of-a-kind 360-degree head design
- Ergonomic grip
- Teeth are cleaned in half the time.
Cons
- A stiff handle is easily broken.
- Possible choking hazard
- Not really precise.
Purchasing the Best Dog Toothbrush Buyer's Guide
Unfortunately, dental hygiene is one of the most neglected elements of dog care, which has resulted in periodontal disease being one of the most frequent disorders in dogs today. This is primarily due to a lack of understanding, but thankfully, an increasing number of dog owners are taking oral health in their pets very seriously. While brushing technique and frequency are vital, having the correct equipment for the task is also key.
Toothbrushes designed for people will not function as well on your dog’s teeth as specifically designed brushes, so use a purpose-made brush. While there are several pet toothbrushes on the market today, this might make it difficult for pet owners to choose the best one. Let’s have a look at some of the things to think about while buying a toothbrush for your dog:
Size
Pet toothbrushes are often much longer than human toothbrushes for good reason. Dogs are unable to wash their own teeth, thus you must do it for them! Having a long handle makes this much easier because you can easily reach and access all of their teeth. The brush head should also be designed for a canine’s mouth, with bristles that are not excessively rough, lengthy, or large. Many modern canine toothbrushes include two heads, with a smaller brush on one side and a bigger brush on the other.
Design
Brushes for dogs are mostly similar to human toothbrushes, with a few minor changes. For simpler brushing, the heads are generally smaller and slightly slanted. They should also include a grip to make brushing more comfortable and accurate, as well as to prevent the toothbrush from slipping while you’re brushing.
If your dog dislikes having a toothbrush in their mouth, there is an alternative. There are also finger toothbrushes, which are simple rubber or silicone tubes that fit over your finger. These basic designs have small, soft bristles that make brushing simpler for finicky dogs, but they are not as effective as traditional toothbrushes.
Price
Toothbrushes are not particularly costly in general, but you certainly get what you pay for. Cheap toothbrushes perform almost as well as any other toothbrush, but they do not last as long as higher-quality brushes. A good-quality toothbrush should last up to three months with frequent usage, but a cheap one will last half as long or less. This then ends up in a landfill, costing you much more money in the long run.
When Is the Best Time to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
Brushing your dog’s teeth at least 3-4 times a week is suggested by most experts, but daily brushing is the best method to prevent dental problems. Your dog, like you, eats every day, and as a result, food will become lodged in their teeth, causing dental rot if not removed promptly.
Bad breath is the first clue that your dog has a dental problem, but plaque accumulation and gingivitis are additional indicators that dental illness is developing.
Other indications and symptoms of dental illness include:
- tooth decay
- Gum inflammation
- Teeth discoloration
- Drooling
- Appetite suppression
Conclusion
While any of the aforementioned dog toothbrushes are recommended, the Virbac C.E.T Dual-Ended Toothbrush is our overall favorite. It has a big brush head on one end and a tiny brush head on the other with reverse angles, a tapered handle with correctly angled heads, and soft bristles that are kind and easy on your dog’s gums.
According to our study, the TropiClean Fresh Breath Tripleflex Toothbrush is the best dog toothbrush for the money. It boasts a triple-sided design that cleans your dog from all sides, a soft finger handle for comfort, and comes in two sizes.
The Petsmile Professional Pet Toothbrush is an excellent alternative for a quality solution for your dog. For easy brushing, the brush boasts a revolutionary 45-degree bristle angle with 5 rows of BPA-free bristles, a dual-ended design, and an ergonomic handle.
Your dog’s dental care is critical, and selecting the appropriate toothbrush is a crucial component of keeping their teeth clean and tartar-free. BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes that our in-depth reviews helped you narrow down your choices so that you can choose the best dog toothbrushes!
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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