What Good Toothpaste Isn’t
By Dr Cathy Alinovi, DVM.
Let’s start by clearing up a big misconception—what passes for pet toothpaste often isn’t what it claims to be.
Take a look at the label on many commercial pet toothpastes. You’ll probably see something like “poultry flavored” on the front. But when you flip it over and examine the ingredients, a very different story emerges. Here’s a sample list:
Ingredients: Glucose Oxidase, Lactoperoxidase, Sorbitol, Purified Water, Dicalcium Phosphate Anhydrous, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Poultry Digest, Dextrose, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Thiocyanate.
Did you notice the sugar content? There are four types of sugar hidden in there: glucose, sorbitol, glycerin, and dextrose.
Now, about that “poultry digest”—it’s not coming from freshly prepared, high-quality chicken. This ingredient typically comes from birds that were already dead—often for days—before they were collected, exposed to unsanitary conditions, and eventually processed in rendering plants. This is not meat deemed fit for human consumption, yet somehow it ends up in pet toothpaste, under the guise of enhancing flavor.
Want to skip the poultry? The “malt-flavored” varieties often substitute poultry digest with barley malt syrup—which, unsurprisingly, is yet another form of sugar. That brings the count up to five.
What About DIY Options?
Some DIY pet toothpaste recipes recommend baking soda. Here’s the problem: dogs don’t spit. Whatever you put in their mouths, they swallow. Baking soda, once ingested, can neutralize the stomach acid that pets need to digest their food. Stomach acidity is crucial in carnivorous digestion. There’s also anecdotal concern that baking soda might increase the risk of urinary tract infections in cats—possibly linked to litters that use baking soda as a deodorizer. (Yes, we are talking dogs here, but mammals are mammals.)
Human Toothpaste? Not So Fast.
It’s generally advised not to use human toothpaste for pets. I actually agree with this advice, especially when it comes to fluoride, which should not be swallowed by pets (or arguably, by people). Even so-called “natural” fluoride-free options often contain xylitol—a sugar substitute that’s toxic and potentially deadly for dogs. And let’s be honest—do dogs even enjoy that minty, menthol blast?
So What Does Make a Good Pet Toothpaste?
Our main goal with brushing is to disrupt the buildup of plaque before it calcifies into tartar. That’s the same reason humans brush twice a day. While we often use something gritty, it’s actually the motion of the brush and gum stimulation that do much of the work.
If your dog resists the toothbrush, try wrapping some gauze around your finger instead.
As for safe toothpastes, here are some good options:
- Coconut oil – has mild antibacterial qualities.
- Hemp oil – another pet-safe, bacteria-fighting option.
- Ayurvedic toothpaste – a human product with minimal grit and no toxic ingredients for dogs (as of this writing) is called Auromere. It does contain a small amount of glycerin, but not the sugary overload seen in the canine specific commercial products.
Final Thoughts
If you’re brushing your dog’s teeth—especially daily—give yourself some serious credit. Just be sure to choose products that genuinely support your pet’s health, not just ones that look good on the shelf.
Dr Cathy Alinovi, natural pet wellness coach and holistic veterinarian. Learn more about how you may be overpaying for “healthcare” and overmedicating your dog at www.healthypawsibilities.com
