This article explains how to select toothpaste for dogs. In recent years, the importance of brushing dogs’ teeth has become increasingly recognized. Dog toothpaste in Japan comes in paste, liquid, and powder forms.
How can you choose the best type of toothpaste for your dog? This time, we will introduce toothpaste recommended by our editorial team and discuss which type is most suitable for your dog.
How Plaque Turns into Tartar and Causes Periodontal Disease
In a 2018 survey by the Japan Kennel Club, 45% of owners of dogs aged 15 and older cared for their dogs’ teeth. Among them, 62% reported brushing their dogs’ teeth once every three days. Plaque deposits in dogs mineralize with substances such as calcium in saliva, leading to the formation of tartar.
It takes 3 to 5 days for plaque to transform into tartar. Once tartar forms, plaque accumulates around it, causing the tartar to gradually enlarge, eventually leading to periodontal disease. Furthermore, if periodontal disease goes untreated, periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect organs such as the heart and kidneys, potentially leading to diseases like heart or kidney failure.
In summary, by brushing your dog’s teeth at least once every three days, you can prevent plaque from turning into tartar and reduce the risk of periodontal disease and other illnesses. To ensure a healthy life for your dog, establish an oral care routine.
Choosing Toothpaste Based on Your Dog’s Brushing Skill
We will introduce dog toothpaste sold in the Japanese market into three main types here:
1.Paste Type
Paste-type toothpaste has a high ability to effectively remove plaque compared to the other two types to be introduced later. It is widely available from various manufacturers and comes in a variety of options. However, it requires brushing the toothpaste onto the teeth using a toothbrush or finger brush, which may require training your dog to allow mouth handling until they become comfortable with it.
2.Gel Type
Gel-type toothpaste is recommended for dogs who dislike brushing or are not accustomed to it.
3.Powder/Liquid Type
The greatest advantage of the third category, powder/liquid type products, is likely its convenience for owners and the minimal stress it causes to their dogs during tooth brushing. Powder-type products can be sprinkled onto regular food to help maintain oral hygiene. Additionally, among liquid-type products, there are those that can be mixed with drinking water to bring the oral environment closer to normal. This type of product, being alkaline, can prevent tooth decay by keeping the mouth less acidic. Using powder/liquid type products in conjunction with regular tooth brushing would likely be more effective.
If you’ve just started tooth brushing training, using a gel-type toothpaste would be beneficial. Compared to paste types, gels cause less discomfort in the mouth, allowing for smoother brushing sessions. If using a toothbrush, allow your dog to become accustomed to it by letting them freely touch the brush until they are no longer afraid of it. Keep tooth brushing training sessions short and take it slow, without rushing. If your dog strongly dislikes the toothbrush, you can try using dental wipes wrapped around your index finger or finger brushes.
Once your dog is more accustomed to dental care and no longer dislikes having their mouth touched, transitioning to paste-type toothpaste may be considered. Paste types come in various options and have a relatively high plaque removal ability, reducing the risk of tartar and periodontal disease.
If tooth brushing is consistently met with resistance and causes stress for both you and your dog, it’s okay to try powder-type toothpaste. Simply sprinkle it onto their regular food to help maintain oral hygiene. Additionally, some liquid types can be added to drinking water to regulate oral pH, so using them in conjunction with powder types or dental chews is also recommended. While oral care is important for longevity, choosing methods that don’t stress both you and your dog is key.
Top 10 Recommended Dog Toothpastes Sold in the Japanese Market
In recent years, canine oral care has garnered attention, and various toothpastes are commercially available. However, there is a trend of products boasting unnecessary cosmetic ingredients, excessive claims of natural materials, and being free from artificial preservatives. The key to effective brushing is removing plaque, especially from the gingival sulcus, to prevent tartar and periodontal disease. Given that dogs may ingest toothpaste, it’s understandable for owners to have concerns about its ingredients.
For example, common ingredients in toothpaste like calcium hydrogen phosphate or hydrated silica might seem harmful. However, these are necessary for the primary purpose of removing plaque. Moreover, the amount ingested is minimal, and dog toothpaste sold in Japan is considered safe.
The toothpastes we introduce here are carefully selected to contain ingredients that can achieve the primary purpose of tooth brushing while avoiding products that tout unnecessary cosmetic ingredients or excessive claims of natural materials.
Additionally, it’s necessary to take time to train your dog until they become accustomed to tooth brushing. There are toothpaste products with added flavors to make brushing easier, such as honey, vanilla, or chicken flavors. Chicken flavor, in particular, is popular among many dogs, and there are numerous products available with this flavor. While some owners may not be thrilled about their dog’s mouth smelling like chicken after brushing, the scent is not strong. If your dog seems to dislike unscented toothpaste, trying a flavored type could be a good idea.
1.VIRBAC C.E.T.TOOTHPASTE POULTRY FLAVOR 70g
This is a paste-type toothpaste from the animal pharmaceutical manufacturer Virbac, founded in Nice, France in 1968. It is applied to a toothbrush or gauze for use. As a cleaning agent, it contains calcium hydrogen phosphate and hydrated silica, which can effectively remove plaque and discoloration when brushed. Additionally, rinsing after brushing is not necessary. Lactoperoxidase has the effect of inhibiting bacterial growth and suppressing the accumulation of plaque, so even just applying it to a finger and allowing the dog to lick it can have some effect. Chicken flavor is highly palatable and can help reduce stress during tooth brushing for your dog. Other flavors such as vanilla mint, malt flavor (sweetness of barley syrup), and seafood flavor are also available, so using a flavor that your dog likes is recommended.
| Type | Paste |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Chicken |
| Ingredients | Sorbitol, Purified Water, Calcium Hydrogen Phosphate, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Chicken Flavor, Sweetener (Dextrose), Thickening Agent (Xanthan Gum), Potassium Thiocyanate, Glucose Oxidase, Lactoperoxidase, Coloring (Titanium Dioxide), Preservative (Sodium Benzoate) |
| Amazon rakuten | |
2.INTELLIGENT TOOTHPASTE FOR PETS 80g
This is a paste-type toothpaste from FREE BIO-TECHNOLOGY, a healthcare manufacturer in Taiwan. By applying it to a toothbrush or gauze and brushing, the silica it contains acts as a cleaning agent, removing plaque and discoloration that adhere to the surface of the teeth. Additionally, amylase, lysozyme chloride, lactoferrin, glucose oxidase, and lactoperoxidase, commonly known as enzymes, are expected to have effects such as removing plaque, inhibiting bacterial growth, and softening tartar, even when simply applied and licked.
| Type | Paste |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Slight Sweetness |
| Ingredients | Sorbitol, Water, Silica, Glycerin, Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose, Titanium Dioxide, Pearl, Amylase, Lysozyme Chloride, Lactoferrin, Glucose Oxidase, Lactoperoxidase, Bioflavonoids, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Saccharin |
| Amazon rakuten | |
3.MIGAKENDE TOOTHPASTE FOR DOG 40g
This is a Japanese product developed through joint research by the Dental Department of a university and TABABRUSH, a company based in Osaka, Japan. It removes discoloration and plaque using the adsorption power of bioapatite, without using cleaning agents such as calcium hydrogen phosphate. It is applied to a toothbrush or gauze for brushing, and rinsing after brushing is not necessary.
| Type | Paste |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Slight Sweetness |
| Ingredients | Water, Hydroxyapatite, Glycerin, Sodium Alginate, Cellulose Gum, Stevia Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol |
| Amazon rakuten | |
4.ORATENE 70g
This is a toothpaste from the American company ZYMOX, which specializes in pet healthcare products. It is a gel-type product that does not contain cleaning agents. Even dogs who have just started tooth brushing training and cannot brush their teeth can achieve the effect of breaking down and removing plaque by simply applying it to their teeth and gums, thanks to the action of natural enzymes like lactoperoxidase.
| Type | Gel |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Slight Sweetness |
| Ingredients | Polyglyceryl Methacrylate, Polyglycitol, Sorbitol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dextrose, Aloe Vera, Potassium Iodide, Lysozyme, Lactoperoxidase, Lactoferrin, Glucose Oxidase |
| Amazon rakuten | |
5.OROZYME FOR DOG/CAT 30g
This is a toothpaste from EmiPet, a German medical device and healthcare manufacturer. It contains a variety of enzymes, including glucose oxidase, which prevents the accumulation of plaque. Unlike most gel-type toothpastes, it contains a small amount of cleaning agents, which further enhances its plaque removal effectiveness when brushed. Of course, applying it to the teeth and gums alone also provides a certain level of plaque breakdown and removal effect.
| Type | Gel |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Malt Flavor (Sweetness of barley syrup) |
| Ingredients | Glucose Oxidase, Lactoperoxidase, Lactoferrin, Superoxide Dismutase, Lysozyme, Polishing Agents |
| Amazon rakuten | |
6.DOG HAPPINESS TOOTHPASTE +PLUS 20g
This is a jointly developed product between Azabu University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, known for its prominence in veterinary research in Japan, and Sosin Co., Ltd., a company headquartered in Tokyo. It is a gel-type product that does not contain cleaning agents. Even dogs who have just started tooth brushing training and cannot brush their teeth can achieve the effect of breaking down and removing plaque by simply applying it to their teeth and gums, thanks to the action of enzymes such as lactoferrin. Additionally, a distinctive ingredient extracted from the resin of a herbaceous plant called “Mastic” is claimed to suppress bacterial growth and maintain oral hygiene.
| Type | Gel |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Slight sweetness |
| Ingredients | Mastic resin, mastic essential oil, water, soybean oil, soy protein, perilla oil, purified fish oil containing DHA and EPA, palm oil, maltodextrin, trehalose, sodium caseinate, beeswax, glycerin, trisodium phosphate, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, folic acid, xanthan gum, arabic gum, chitosan, papain, lactobacillus fermentation extract, lactoferrin, pullulan, rosemary extract, plum extract, butter flavor, lemon flavor, glyceryl fatty acid ester, glyceryl stearate, glyceryl trioctanoate/caprate, sodium citrate, sorbitan fatty acid ester, potassium sorbate, parahydroxybenzoate. |
| Amazon rakuten Subscription20%OFF | |
7.REPAIRAN DENTAL CLEANER 4 doses
This is a gel-type toothpaste specialized in tartar removal, manufactured by the Japanese pet product company, BYRON Corporation. Tartar that has accumulated cannot be removed by daily brushing alone, so this toothpaste is positioned as a special product for spot tartar removal. While some familiarity is required for effective removal, having a product that can be used at home without subjecting your dog to anesthesia or other burdensome procedures is revolutionary.
| Type | Gel |
|---|---|
| Flavor | None |
| Ingredients | Natural zeolite, pearl powder (powder from the nacre layer of Akoya pearls), scallop shell calcined powder, sorbitol, cellulose gum |
| Amazon rakuten | |
8.VIRBAC C.E.T. AQUADENT 250ml
This is a liquid-type toothpaste from the longstanding animal pharmaceutical manufacturer, Virbac, which currently operates in over 100 countries worldwide. The usage method is convenient, as it only needs to be mixed with drinking water. It contains erythritol, which has antibacterial properties, reducing plaque and preventing tooth decay. Additionally, it regulates pH and prevents the oral environment from becoming acidic, particularly beneficial for senior dogs with reduced saliva production, making tooth decay less likely. If you are concerned about the discoloration of drinking water due to additives, it is recommended to use the “TAURUS TOOTHPASTE LIQUID 100ml,” which will be introduced next. Liquid-type toothpaste is best used in conjunction with brushing or dental chews.
| Type | Liquid |
|---|---|
| Flavor | None |
| Ingredients | Glycerin, pH adjuster, Erythritol, Preservatives (Lactic acid, Sorbic acid, Sodium metabisulfite), Inulin, Flavoring, Pomegranate extract, Coloring agents (Blue No. 1, Yellow No. 4), Purified water |
| Amazon rakuten | |
9.TAURUS TOOTHPASTE LIQUID 100ml
This is a liquid-type toothpaste from Taurus Co., Ltd., a Japanese pet product manufacturer. The method of use is easy, simply mix it with drinking water. The pH 12 (alkaline) mineral electrolyzed water helps prevent the oral environment from becoming acidic, particularly beneficial for senior dogs with reduced saliva production, making it less conducive to tooth decay. It is recommended to use the liquid type in conjunction with brushing or dental chews.
| Type | Liquid |
|---|---|
| Flavor | None |
| Ingredients | Water (Mineral electrolyzed water with pH 12, alkaline) |
| Amazon rakuten | |
10.PET HAPPINESS ORAL CARE SUPPLEMENT 45g
This is a powder-type toothpaste from Sosin Co., Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer of pet care products. The method of use is convenient, just sprinkle it on food. The resin extracted from the herbaceous plant called “Mastic” suppresses bacterial growth and maintains oral hygiene. Additionally, it contains erythritol, which has antibacterial properties, reduces plaque, and helps prevent cavities. It is recommended to use the powder type in conjunction with brushing or dental chews.
| Type | Powder |
|---|---|
| Flavor | Slight sweetness |
| Ingredients | Isomaltooligosaccharide, Egg yolk powder containing ribetin, Mastic powder, Polyglutamic acid, Erythritol, Shiitake mushroom extract, Lactobacillus KT-11, and others |
| Amazon rakuten Subscription20%OFF | |
This time, we introduced dog toothpaste. There are roughly three types of dog toothpaste products. The first type is paste-type, which has a high ability to thoroughly brush and remove plaque. The second type is gel-type, which minimizes discomfort when dogs put it in their mouths. And the third type is liquid/powder type, which is convenient for owners and doesn’t cause stress to dogs, but using it in combination with dental chews is more effective.
To summarize the selection criteria, paste-type is recommended for dogs that can use a toothbrush, gel-type for dogs that have just started tooth brushing training or allow short-term mouth touching, and liquid type mixed with drinking water or powder type sprinkled on food for dogs that do not allow any mouth touching.
Establishing a habit of oral care for your dog is important for a long and healthy life together. By preventing plaque from turning into tartar, you can reduce the risk of periodontal disease and other conditions.
犬用歯磨きガムおすすめはこれ！歯垢除去効果が高い与え方とは？
