Brushing your pet’s teeth is undoubtedly the gold standard for maintaining their oral health. However, let’s face it—sometimes brushing isn’t practical or possible. Many pet owners ask their veterinarian, “What’s the best way to clean my dog's teeth at home?”
There are alternatives that make it easier to keep your dog’s teeth clean when time is short. While these methods may not match the cleaning power of regular brushing, when brushing isn’t an option, they’re an excellent way to support your pet’s dental health.
Start one (or all!) of these dental care routines to effortlessly protect your pet’s pearly whites, even on your busiest day:
Incorporating alternative dental care into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated. For tips on how to clean your dog's teeth at home, start with these simple and effective methods:
The simple mechanical action of chewing can help reduce plaque buildup on your pet’s teeth. Some dental treats and chews contain an anti-tartar ingredient as well. Bonus: They’re super yummy, too! Check out our veterinary-approved dental chews.
Many pet owners wonder how to keep their dogs’ teeth clean without brushing or using dental chews. Water additives are a good option and are much like a drinkable mouthwash that you add to your pet’s water bowl. Daily use of water additives can help reduce bacteria, prevent plaque and tartar buildup and freshen breath, helping you kiss stinky pet smiles goodbye.
Therapeutic dental diets can make every bite count toward healthier teeth. These specially formulated diets are designed to mechanically clean your pet’s teeth while also providing a balanced, nutritious meal. Therapeutic diets require a prescription, so reach out to your veterinarian if this option sounds perfect for your pet.
Just like dental chews, rubber toys help remove plaque buildup on your pet’s teeth as they chew, making playtime double as teeth-cleaning time. But supervision is important to prevent your pet from tearing off and swallowing a chunk of toy.
What’s on the no-go list? Rawhides and bones. These are too hard and can easily cause tooth fractures. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has a list of approved products that have been shown to improve oral health.
Find all your dental needs, including VOHC-approved products. >>
