Toothpaste

Brushing your dog’s teeth is one of the best things you can do to prevent periodontal disease. Typically, you can clean your dog’s teeth with a toothbrush designed for dogs, and of course, dog toothpaste. Most types of dog toothpaste contain scrubbing ingredients that help wash away stains and plaque. A specific kind of dog toothpaste called enzymatic toothpaste contains enzymes that help reduce bacteria, which can lessen tartar buildup and improve bad breath.

The most important thing to remember about brushing your dog’s teeth is don’t use human toothpaste on your dog. The reason? Many human toothpastes contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Xylitol can cause blood sugar drops in dogs, as well as potential liver damage. To keep your dog safe and to improve your pup’s oral health, then, you’ll want to consider some of the following toothpaste options.