Many people learn how to make dog toothpaste at home to save money and keep their dog’s teeth free from plaque and stains.
While commercial toothpaste is our first choice, when we’ve run out we always make dog toothpaste at home because human toothpaste can be deadly for dogs.
How To Make Dog Toothpaste at Home
The most simple dog toothpaste is a mix of baking soda and water. Blend them to a thin paste then use it to gently scrub away plaque and stains from your dog’s teeth.
Mix coconut oil and baking soda to fight bacteria.
Add finely ground dried mint leaves or dried parsley leaves to help freshen your dog’s breath.
If your dog won’t use the toothpaste, mix in a little beef or chicken bullion to flavor it with a meatiness your dog will enjoy.
4 Advantages of Homemade Dog Toothpaste
There are many reasons why you might want to make your dog toothpaste at home, but here are 4 things that might make it worth your while.
- It’s cheaper than buying commercial toothpaste
- You can control the ingredients so you know they’re safe
- You probably have everything you need to make it on hand
- You can make it just the way your dog likes it
6 Disadvantages Of Homemade Dog Toothpaste
While there are some advantages to making your own dog toothpaste, there are some disadvantages to keep in mind.
- It can be more time-consuming than buying commercial toothpaste
- You have to be careful with the ingredients you choose, as some could be harmful to your dog if swallowed
- It can be challenging to get your dog to accept a new type of toothpaste, especially if he’s used to commercial brands
- There’s a greater chance of making a mistake and including an ingredient that could harm your pet
- Dog toothpaste often contains enzymes that clean your dog’s teeth. Your toothpaste won’t have these.
- Homemade toothpaste spoils faster
No matter which type of toothpaste you choose, the most important thing is to brush your dog’s teeth regularly. Vets recommend daily brushing for your dog or weekly brushing at a minimum.
Considerations Before Making Dog Toothpaste at Home:
The most important thing to keep in mind is that you must be gentle with your dog’s teeth and gums.
Baking soda is the most common household scrubber used for dogs because it’s non-toxic, but if you scrub too hard you can make permanent grooves in your dog’s tooth enamel and irritate the gums.
Commercial dog toothpaste has gentle abrasives to brush away plaque, often contains enzymes that clean between the dog’s teeth long after brushing and antimicrobial agents that cut down on bacteria.
Never use an ingredient in dog toothpaste until you’re positive it’s safe for dogs to ingest. You can’t expect your dog to spit out the toothpaste, so everything in your formula should be edible.
How To Make Dog Toothpaste at Home
Here is a simple method for making dog toothpaste at home. Feel free to adjust the amounts as needed to suit your dog’s tastes. We recommend making just a little at first so see if your dog likes it.
Safe Ingredients (Choose From the List):
- Baking soda
- Water
- Coconut oil (melted)
- Finely ground dried parsley (a pinch)
- Finely ground dried mint (a pinch)
- Chicken or beef bullion (crushed cubes or paste)
Instructions:
1. Select the ingredients you want to use for your dog’s toothpaste. If you want a little antimicrobial action in the toothpaste, use melted coconut oil instead of water.
2. Mix the ingredients together to make a thin paste. Only add a tiny pinch of parsley or mint because too much will make the paste too hot for your dog.
3. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container.
4. Scoop a little onto your dog’s toothbrush and brush using circular motions along the dog’s teeth and gums.
5. Allow your dog to drink water to rinse his mouth after brushing.
6. Repeat daily for best results.
Carefully inspect your dog’s mouth for the first month or so to make sure there is no allergic reaction to the ingredients in the paste. Watch for receding gums, bleeding gums, or blisters in the mouth.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let the cost of dog toothpaste deter you from brushing your dog’s teeth regularly.
It is one of the best things you can do to keep your dog healthy, so make a simple paste at home to brush plaque away.
We prefer to buy enzyme-based dog toothpaste for our dogs, but we know that homemade toothpaste can be beneficial as well, as long as you use ingredients you know are safe for your dog.
