Before we talk too much about homemade dog toothpaste, it’s probably worth looking at what’s in shop-bought dog toothpaste, and why.
Most of the ingredients in shop-bought dog toothpaste are there to make toothpaste behave as we humans expect. There’s water (sometimes called ‘aqua’), something to make it paste-like (usually xanthan gum and sorbitol), something to give it color (such as titanium dioxide), and sometimes some foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
You’ll normally find some flavoring, although for pets this is usually meat, cheese, or even peanut butter flavor, not the mint we humans have come to expect.
Then, there are the active ingredients, which have a more practical purpose. You’ll usually see abrasive ingredients, which help to scrub away at the surface of the teeth – calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, alumina or silica are all examples. And some toothpastes have enzymes, which help to break down plaque and tartar.
I've been a vet for eight years, and have answered your FAQs about homemade dog toothpaste.
Can I use homemade dog toothpaste?
If the ingredient list above sounds a bit scary, that’s understandable. Chemical names are like a whole other language sometimes! So, can you make homemade dog toothpaste instead?
Well, it’s risky. Most ingredients that humans use in homemade toothpaste can’t be used in dogs. Remember, dogs swallow their toothpaste, not spit – meaning whatever their toothpaste is made from needs to be edible. In addition, dogs cannot be told of the importance of toothbrushing – whatever you use needs to be tasty enough to encourage them to participate.
If you’ve run out of the best dog toothpaste, it’s better to use just water to clean their teeth – the mechanical action of the toothbrush is the most important thing for tooth cleaning. We also have a guide to the best toothbrushes for dogs, too!
Does coconut oil remove plaque from dog's teeth?
Studies in humans have shown that ‘oil pulling’ (mouth washing) with coconut oil (and sometimes other oils) may reduce plaque and reduce the numbers of dental bacteria in a similar method to antibacterial mouthwashes. There are no studies in dogs, except one in-vitro study that showed coconut oil may be effective on the common bacteria in pet mouths.
So yes, it’s possible coconut oil reduces plaque on dog teeth, but whether it’s as effective as store-bought toothpaste remains to be seen. Don’t forget, coconut oil contains a lot of calories, and since dogs can’t be taught to spit, you’ll need to account for this in their daily calorie allowance to keep them at a healthy weight. Dogs with pancreatitis should also avoid eating coconut oil, which might cause a flare up.
Is baking soda safe for dog toothpaste?
In humans, baking soda is often added to toothpaste to aid plaque and stain removal. It’s mildly abrasive (but not enough to damage enamel, according to this study), but has been shown to be more effective than non-soda toothpastes at removing plaque. But what about in dogs?
Firstly, it’s worth noting that dog and human enamel are fairly similar in structure, although dog enamel tends to be much thinner, making them more susceptible to wear. There’s a risk that regular brushing with baking soda could damage the teeth. More immediately though, baking soda is not intended for eating. Being an alkali, it can froth in the stomach acid (think those baking-soda-and-vinegar volcanoes) and cause dogs to feel really ill.
It’s also worth mentioning that baking soda is actually toxic to dogs – although not in the quantities used in toothpaste.
Homemade dog toothpaste recipes to avoid
Despite the above advice from vets like myself, you’ll find plenty of homemade dog toothpaste recipes online. Here are some common ones, and the reasons I don’t recommend them:
1. Broth, baking soda, and oil
Broth is high in salt, which can be bad for pet health. It also isn’t great for spreading on teeth, as it may feed the oral bacteria. As we’ve discussed above, baking soda may be too harsh for dog teeth over time and shouldn’t be swallowed.
2. Bullion, cinnamon, and baking soda
Even worse than using liquid broth is using the extremely concentrated bullion cubes you’ll find in the supermarket. These things are almost entirely made of salt, sugar, and MSG, and – while they may taste good, they can promote bacterial growth as well as be too salty for your pets. Adding a tiny amount of cinnamon is unlikely to have any health benefits.
3. Coconut oil and turmeric
While we’ve shown that coconut oil can be a good option for the teeth, it also has its downsides which should be considered when mixing homemade toothpaste for dogs.
Recipes sometimes advise combining it with turmeric, but this spice is strong in flavor and is likely to put off any dogs from using it. While one of the compounds in turmeric (curcumin) does have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it needs to be used in far higher doses than the tiny amount your dog is going to get in their daily toothbrushing regime. Even concentrated curcumin has not been proven to have clinically significant effects on oral health in humans, much less so dogs.
4. Additional herbs or dried kelp
While these three recipes make up the majority of bases, there are also plenty of ingredients that get added as an afterthought. Mint leaves and parsley leaves may taste good to us, but dogs aren’t usually too excited. Additionally, they make for a weird, bitty texture, and are likely to get wedged in the teeth, causing more harm than good.
The addition of half a teaspoon of dried kelp to a cup or more of toothpaste has similar problems. While often promoted as being ‘immune boosting’, this teeny tiny amount of kelp isn’t likely to have any effect at all – but like the herbs, it does introduce small particles which can get wedged into your dog’s teeth and provide more food for the bacteria.
The solution?
Stick to the best dog toothpaste – you’ll know it’s safe for your dog, and the biological enzymes can be fantastic, especially for dogs that are a bit reluctant. If you run out, don’t stop brushing your dog’s teeth, and don’t waste your time with homemade dog toothpaste either – brush just with water or a very tiny amount of oil, and pick up where you left off as soon as the new toothpaste arrives.
You might also want to read about how to brush a dog's teeth and how often to brush a dog's teeth.
