Course 12 · Teeth and Mouth · Lesson 2 of 12

How do you choose a toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs?

Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026 · About 6 minutes · General information only. This lesson does not diagnose or treat any condition.

Choose a toothbrush made for dogs that fits the size of the mouth and reaches the back teeth comfortably, and a toothpaste made for dogs that is safe to swallow and flavoured to be accepted, never human toothpaste. Human toothpaste can contain ingredients that are unsuitable if swallowed, and it foams in a way dogs dislike, so it should never be used. The right tools make brushing easier for the owner and more tolerable for the dog, but no tool compensates for forcing a brush into a sore or unwilling mouth.

What types of dog toothbrush are available?

Dog toothbrushes come in several forms, and the best choice depends on mouth size, the dog’s tolerance, and which teeth need attention. A long handled brush with a small head suits medium and large dogs, because it reaches the back teeth without the owner’s hand entering the mouth. A brush with heads at both ends, one large and one small, can suit dogs with different tooth sizes in front and back. A finger brush, a soft sleeve that fits over a fingertip, suits small dogs, puppies learning the routine, and dogs that accept a finger more readily than a handle. It gives good control but less reach. A very soft children’s toothbrush is sometimes used for small dogs, provided it is clean, soft, and used only for that dog, but a brush designed for dogs is usually a better fit. Whichever type is chosen, bristles should be soft, the head should be small enough to move along the gum line without pressing on lips, and the handle should allow a gentle grip.

How do you choose toothpaste made for dogs?

Dog toothpaste is formulated to be swallowed safely in the small amounts used for brushing, and it is usually flavoured with meat, poultry or malt to encourage acceptance. It does not foam like human toothpaste, and it does not rely on the dog spitting or rinsing. Choose a product labelled for dogs, check the instructions for the amount to use, and store it where the dog cannot chew the tube. Avoid human toothpaste entirely, including fluoride toothpaste, whitening toothpaste and toothpaste containing xylitol or other sweeteners, because dogs swallow toothpaste and cannot rinse. Avoid home made pastes, baking soda mixtures, salt, lemon and other kitchen remedies, which can irritate gums, damage enamel or upset the stomach. If a dog dislikes one flavour, another dog toothpaste flavour may be accepted, but flavour changes should be introduced gradually, by letting the dog lick a small amount from a finger first, rather than by starting a full brush with a new taste. If the dog will not accept any toothpaste, brushing with a damp brush alone is better than no brushing, and the vet can advise on alternatives.

How do you match tools to the dog in front of you?

Match by mouth size first, then by tolerance. A large brush in a small mouth will bump lips and gums and make the dog resist. A finger brush in a large, strong dog may not reach the back teeth and may put fingers at risk if the dog closes its mouth suddenly. For puppies, start with a finger brush or a very soft small brush, and a tiny amount of dog toothpaste, so the experience is gentle. For older dogs with sore gums, a softer brush and a slower introduction are needed, and veterinary advice should come before brushing if soreness is suspected. For dogs with crowded teeth, a smaller head helps reach the gum line, but crowding itself is a veterinary observation, not a home treatment target. Buy one brush and one toothpaste to start, rather than a large kit, and replace the brush when it wears. Keep the brush clean, dry it after use, and store it separately from human brushes. Do not share a brush between dogs, because mouth bacteria and illness can be transferred.

What about dental wipes, gels and other products?

Dental wipes, finger cloths and gels are sometimes used where a brush is not accepted, or as a step toward brushing. A wipe rubbed gently along the outer tooth surfaces can remove some soft plaque, but it does not clean as effectively as a brush along the gum line, and it should be seen as a stepping stone, not a replacement, unless a vet advises otherwise. Gels and water additives are covered in lesson 7, with their limits. No product should be used to replace brushing without understanding that limit. Avoid products that promise to dissolve tartar, whiten teeth, or cure gum disease, because tartar removal and gum treatment are veterinary jobs. Read labels for dog suitability, age guidance and instructions, and stop using any product that causes drooling, rubbing, vomiting or gum redness. A product that the dog hates will undermine the routine, however good its claims, so acceptance matters as much as formulation.

When should you stop and get help?

Do not start brushing, and do not choose tools as a substitute for advice, if the mouth is sore, gums bleed, a tooth is loose or broken, the dog shows pain, or the dog will not allow mouth handling. Contact a vet for those signs, and ask the vet or veterinary nurse to demonstrate brushing and tool choice in person if possible. That demonstration, tailored to the dog’s mouth, is more useful than any general guide. If a brush causes bleeding that does not stop quickly, if the dog swallows a brush head or part of a tool, or if a toothpaste causes vomiting or distress, seek veterinary advice promptly. Tool choice is a small decision with a large effect on tolerance, and getting it right early makes the whole routine easier to sustain.

A small soft brush that fits the mouth, plus a dog toothpaste the dog accepts, and never human toothpaste, is the simple, safe starting kit for home brushing.

← Back to Teeth and Mouth