Dogs are man’s best friend, but bad dog breath is man’s worst enemy. And, in a pet owner's efforts to keep their beloved dog’s canines white and bright, their oral health maintained and their breath nice and fresh, they may be causing more damage than good with toxic, unsafe toothpaste.

Choosing the right dog toothpaste will be the difference between preventing periodontal disease and halitosis, and encouraging it. So, how do you know which type of dog toothpaste to use for your furry four-legged family member? Well, despite online reviews and marketing copy promoting each product as the best and safest, pet owners need to look at the ingredients within the toothpaste itself to assess whether it is safe to use. Luckily for you, the devoted dog owner who'd do just about anything for your furry friend, we’ve listed the top five ingredients to avoid when choosing your pet’s toothpaste.

Grind Away The Plaque, Not The Enamel

While some online sites advocate for the use of silica within toothpastes, as it does serve a purpose in grinding away tartar, unfortunately, avoid silica at all costs or else it’s your dog’s tooth enamel that will be ground away, with it never growing back. Even worse, silica is known to cause mild gastrointestinal problems and upset tummies for your little pooches. And we all know how much we hate seeing our pets feel poorly.

All Sugar Is Bad, Especially When It Comes To Your Furbaby

Now, one may think that dogs would just about consume anything, with taste not being a factor. They eat old dog bones and the foulest things, right? However, as parents of spoiled furbabies, we’re always tempted to give them that special treat and flavor their foods nicely, as well as their toothpaste. However, this must be avoided, especially when the toothpaste contains xylitol. According to VCA Hospitals, “When non-primate species like dogs eat something containing xylitol, the xylitol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas. This rapid release of insulin causes a rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), an effect that occurs within 10-60 minutes of eating the xylitol. Untreated, this hypoglycemia can be life threatening.”

Good For Humans, Bad For Dogs

For those of you who would do anything for your dog, running out of dog toothpaste is as bad as running out of toilet paper. However, we advise you not to reach for the human toothpaste. Why? Well, because human toothpaste contains fluoride and this is harmful for dogs. According to Wag, “Severe poisoning can occur if your dog eats something with a very large amount of fluoride, such as toothpaste. This generally begins with the inflammation of the stomach and intestines, followed by an increased heart rate with abnormalities. The fluoride is absorbed into the system within 90 minutes and will generally result in collapse and death within a few hours if it is untreated. Chronic overexposure to fluoride can result in weakened bones or abnormal bone growths as well as chronic gastric disorders. Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical that canines can be particularly sensitive to. Fluoride toxicity due to overexposure is extremely serious and it can be acute or chronic.”

Preserve Your Dogs’ Teeth, Without Using Artificial Preservatives

Preserving your dogs’ teeth at all costs shouldn’t have to cost them allergic reactions and skin irritations. With this mind, stay clear of toothpastes which contain artificial preservatives like ethoxyquin or butylated hydroxyanisole, which have links to allergies and immunotoxicity. Toothpastes containing these harmful components may render a breath so fresh you want to kiss your pup all day, but they’d be too busy suffering from skin irritation, allergies and possible cancer thanks to these harmful elements.

Anti Bad Dog Breath? Avoid Toothpastes With This Antibacterial

According to 4-legger.com, “The Food and Drug Administration recently banned Tricolsan and 18 other antibacterials as researchers found links between hormone disruption and they can serve as the impetus for drug-resistant bacteria.” Toothpastes containing Tricolsan are a big no-no and should be avoided.

Now that you know the top five ingredients to avoid in your pets’ toothpaste, let us recommend that, no matter what toothpaste you opt for, it must be approved by veterinarians or dental authorities. Quality dental products are only quality if they’re approved by the right people. Better yet, opt for Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste - it’s Veterinary Oral Health Council Approved Dog Toothpaste.

According to akc.org, “The Veterinary Oral Health Council approves Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste. The toothpaste contains an ingredient called Calprox, which is proven to safely prevent plaque, fight bacteria, and improve bad breath. This dog toothpaste is meant to be used two to three times per week and requires no toothbrush. Owners can simply use the finger applicator to rub the paste on their dog’s teeth. The Petsmile toothpaste contains safe ingredients and is free of fluoride, parabens, sulfates, and other ingredients that could be harmful to dogs.”

Get the best dog toothpaste, Get Petsmile for your dog and his precious teeth. To learn more about our toothpaste and other dental products, contact us today. Browse our wide selection of safe and healthy toothpastes here.

Like humans, dogs and cats are both prone to developing gum disease. This is especially true when pets do not get the right level of dental care at home and from the vet. Thankfully, this condition is both easy to prevent and can even be potentially reversed if caught early enough.