Fazlur Rahman
What to look for in a dog toothpaste in 2026
The right dog toothpaste in 2026 has five qualities. First, it is enzymatic, which means it contains the two enzymes (glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase) that kill the bacteria in the plaque and prevent the plaque from hardening into tartar. Enzymatic toothpaste is the gold standard recommended by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) and is the right choice for most dogs. Second, it is safe to swallow, which means it does not contain fluoride (toxic to dogs) or sodium lauryl sulfate (the foaming agent in human toothpaste which dogs cannot spit out).
Third, it is flavored to the dog taste, which means poultry, beef, vanilla mint, or malt. The right way to test the flavor is to put a small amount on your finger and let the dog lick it; if the dog rejects the flavor, switch to a different flavor or a different brand. Fourth, it is approved by the VOHC, which means the toothpaste has been independently tested and shown to reduce plaque and tartar. The right way to verify the approval is to check the VOHC website at vohc.org. Fifth, it is priced within the budget, which means 5 to 20 dollars per tube.
The enzymatic daily brushing picks
For most dogs, the right enzymatic toothpaste for daily brushing is the Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste at 6 to 9 dollars per 6.5 oz tube. The toothpaste uses the same dual-enzyme system as the Virbac C.E.T. brand (the most popular enzymatic toothpaste among veterinarians) but at a 30 to 40 percent lower price. The flavor is poultry which most dogs accept. Apply a pea-sized amount to a pet-specific toothbrush (silicone finger brush for small dogs, long-handled brush for medium and large dogs) and brush the outer surfaces of the teeth in small circles for 30 to 60 seconds per side.
