The 15 Best Dog Toothbrushes of 2023

by Tom Ken

Just like human beings, dogs need to feed for their survival. Feeding, however, can be problematic for your pet's dental hygiene if you don't brush its teeth regularly.

That's why a dog toothbrush is an invaluable investment you should make for your pet. It is a specialized brush that comes in many versions to maximize access in a pet's mouth.

Some brushes also come with dog toothpaste to enhance cleaning efficiency.

Explore our dog toothbrush review to learn more about the various types of brushes available, including those the best matches for your pet.

7 Best Dog Toothbrushes: Review

IMAGE PRODUCT FEATURES
Vet's Best 3165810528

1. Vet's Best 3165810528 (Best Overall)

  • Efficient triple-head design
  • Enzymatic dental gel
  • Whitens teeth & soothes gums
Nylabone NPD303P

2. Nylabone NPD303P (Best Budget)

  • Affordable 3-piece kit
  • Angled neck for enhanced reach
  • Effective Denta-C toothpaste
Vet's Best Soft Finger

3. Vet's Best Soft Finger (Best Finger Brush)

  • 10 high-quality finger brushes
  • Reliable plaque/tartar removal
  • Snug fit around the finger
Virbac CET401

4. Virbac CET401 (Most Pet-Friendly)

  • Dual-ended & versatile
  • Soft & gentle bristles
  • Pet-safe swallowable toothpaste
Nylabone NPD701P

5. Nylabone NPD701P (Best for Hard-to-Reach Areas)

  • Enhances dog mouth access
  • Comfortable fit on the finger
  • Flexible massage bristles
Arm & Hammer FF7133

6. Arm & Hammer FF7133 (Best for Small Dogs)

  • Maximizes tooth & gum contact
  • Short grippy handle
  • Protective brush cover
Mind Up Kenko Care

7. Mind Up Kenko Care (Best for Puppies)

  • Micro head & mini-sized bristles
  • Angled for comfortable reach
  • Easy & straightforward to operate

1. Best Overall: Vet's Best 3165810528

Vet's Best 3165810528
Vet's Best 3165810528
  • Type of Dog Toothbrush: Triple-Head
  • Materials: Plastic
  • Operation Mode: Manual
  • Age Range: All life stages

Vet's Best 3165810528, our best overall dog toothbrush, adopts a triple-headed design, which maximizes tooth coverage delivering superior cleaning of both teeth and gums in one stroke.

Adding value to this toothbrush is a premium enzymatic dental gel toothpaste, which is formulated with veterinarian help to remove plaque and tartar while freshening your dog's breath.

The gel contains natural ingredients, including neem oil, baking soda, grapefruit seed extract, and aloe. These natural flavors are effective in whitening teeth and soothing gums.

A potential issue with the Vet's Best 3165810528 is that its toothpaste's taste may not appeal to all dogs alike. Some don't embrace it.

Pros:

  • Efficient head design
  • Effective dental toothpaste
  • Reliable plaque and tartar removal
  • Teeth-whitening ingredients

Cons:

  • The toothpaste taste may not appeal to all dogs

2. Best Budget: Nylabone NPD303P

Nylabone NPD303P
Nylabone NPD303P
  • Type of Dog Toothbrush: Regular
  • Materials: Rubber, Plastic
  • Operation Mode: Manual
  • Age Range: Adult

For a very affordable price, the Nylabone NPD303P dental kit offers you a dog toothbrush, pet toothpaste, and a finger brush to achieve maximum productivity in your pet's mouth hygiene.

The toothbrush features an angled neck to maximize reach inside your dog's mouth. It enhances access to hard-to-reach spots for plaque and food debris removal.

There's a 2.5-ounce bottle of Denta-C toothpaste, which has proven effective in reducing the mouth bacteria in your pet. This paste comes in a natural peanut flavor to make it easy for pets to embrace.

Despite being the best dog toothbrush and toothpaste, the Nylabone NPD303P kit is built for large dogs only. Small-dog owners lose out on these benefits.

Pros:

  • Pocket-friendly dental kit
  • Maximum interior mouth reach
  • Mouth bacteria reduction
  • Natural dog-friendly flavor

Cons:

  • Not ideal for small dogs

3. Best Finger Brush: Vet's Best Soft Finger

Vet's Best Soft Finger
Vet's Best Soft Finger
  • Type of Dog Toothbrush: Finger
  • Materials: Silicone
  • Operation Mode: Manual
  • Age Range: All life stages

Vet's Best Dog Finger comes in a set of 10 high-performance, safe and durable finger toothbrushes that are handy dental health boosters if you own several pet dogs.

Our best dog finger toothbrush features unique soft bristles that are reliable in plaque and tartar reduction to prevent common oral diseases.

Besides cleaning teeth, the brushes provide superior gentleness on the gums, preventing injury and irritation. They also offer a snug fit, forming around the finger for a firm attachment. They don't fall off the finger during use.

We noted with Vet's Best Dog Finger brushes that they are not ideal for chewing pets. The bristles are soft and easily destructible by chewers.

Pros:

  • A finger brush value pack
  • Effective plaque and tartar reduction
  • Gentle on the gums
  • Firm grip on the finger

Cons:

  • Not ideal for chewing pets

4. Most Pet-Friendly: Virbac CET401

Virbac CET401
Virbac CET401
  • Type of Dog Toothbrush: Regular, Finger
  • Materials: Plastic
  • Operation Mode: Manual
  • Age Range: Adult

Virbac CET401 is a dual-ended toothbrush that is highly versatile in its brushing performance on small and large teeth surfaces.

Its soft bristles are gentle on the teeth and gums yet very efficient in plaque and tartar removal. The brush does an excellent job of both massages and strengthens gum.

This kit comes with a finger brush that slips easily over the finger, granting you enhanced operational reach and flexibility when brushing your dog's mouth.

Finally, the kit also offers pet-friendly toothpaste, which is safe for swallowing. Mouth rinsing is not necessary.

While the Virbac CET401's toothpaste is safe for swelling, its taste is not embraced equally by all pets.

Pros:

  • Dual-ended for enhanced performance
  • Soft and gentle bristles
  • Massages and strengthens gums
  • Easy-to-use finger brush

Cons:

  • The toothpaste's flavor doesn't appeal to all pets

5. Best for Hard-to-Reach Areas: Nylabone NPD701P

Nylabone NPD701P
Nylabone NPD701P
  • Type of Dog Toothbrush: Finger
  • Materials: Rubber
  • Operation Mode: Manual
  • Age Range: Adult

Nylabone NPD701P dog toothbrush is designed to maximize access to hard-to-reach areas of your pet's mouth, where tartar and plaque tend to reside.

Its simple design allows easy fitting onto the finger while the soft bristles are gentle on your dog's teeth and gums. The 2 features, combined, offer a fast and convenient dental solution for pets.

Since the bristles on this bush flex a little, they will also massage gums and make pets more cooperative during the brushing process.

If you have small fingers, the brush may shift constantly, whereby there're no longer facing the teeth. This may make for some cumbersome brushing.

Pros:

  • Maximizes internal pet mouth reach
  • Soft and gentle bristles
  • Fast and easy to use
  • Massages gums effectively

Cons:

  • Not ideal for small fingers

6. Best for Small Dogs: Arm & Hammer FF7133

Arm & Hammer FF7133
Arm & Hammer FF7133
  • Type of Dog Toothbrush: Regular
  • Materials: Plastic
  • Operation Mode: Manual
  • Age Range: All life stages

Arm & Hammer FF7133 is purpose-built for providing excellent dental hygiene to small dog breeds by maximizing teeth and gum surface contact.

It is effective at brushing away the particles that promote gum disease. For dogs with little mouths, this brush is one of the best at fighting tartar.

The head is small, and its bristles soft to maximize your pet's comfort during the brushing process. It features a shorter handle to enhance grip. There's a handy protective brush cover that enhances the toothbrush's storage safety.

If you're brushing your dog for the first time, Arm & Hammer FF7133 recommends using toothpaste, which is not included in this version.

Pros:

  • Optimized for small dog mouths
  • Fights germ and tartar particles
  • Maximizes pet mouth comfort
  • Protective brush cover

Cons:

  • The recommended toothpaste is not included

7. Best for Puppies: Mind Up Kenko Care

Mind Up Kenko Care
Mind Up Kenko Care
  • Type of Dog Toothbrush: Regular
  • Materials: Plastic
  • Operation Mode: Manual
  • Age Range: Puppies and starters

Mind Up Kenko Care features a micro head design that implements mini-sized bristles suited for brushing small breeds and puppies whose teeth are still developing.

The toothbrush has a 15-degree angle bed, which allows the brush to fit more comfortably and ergonomically inside your dog's mouth, further enhancing handling during brushing.

Overall, our best puppy toothbrush is straightforward to use. There are 2 other versions you can choose from to suit your pets' brushing needs and demands. The cylinder head version offers a multi-angle brush while the thumb and finger one enhances mouth access and reach.

However, we wish that the bristle count on Mind Up Kenko Care was higher to adapt to pet dog teeth' natural growth.

Pros:

  • Mini-sized gentle bristles
  • Angled for better mouth fit
  • Easy to operate
  • Multiple configurations available

Cons:

  • The bristle count could be higher
Other Recommended Dog Toothbrushes
Other Recommended Dog Toothbrushes

8. PenVinoo WONGS-12

PenVinoo WONGS-12
PenVinoo WONGS-12

PenVinoo WONGS-12 comes in a value pack containing 8 toothbrushes that come in handy if you own more than one dog or cat.

Within this set are 3 different toothbrush types that provide the versatility needed when cleaning pet teeth, especially plague and tartar buildup.

If your pet is still too young or scared to use a full toothbrush, there are 4 finger brushes you can count on to remove the dirt along the gum line.

Key Features

  • A value pack of 8 toothbrushes
  • Multiple toothbrush types
  • Effective plaque and tartar removal
  • Finger brushes suit younger pets

9. Virbac VR-CET305

Virbac VR-CET305
Virbac VR-CET305

The dual-ended Virbac VR-CET305 toothbrush adopts soft bristles that prevent the irritation of your dog or cat's sensitive gums.

One end of the toothbrush is suited for large tooth surfaces, while the other more compact one favors smaller teeth such as those of puppies and kittens.

It has proven reliable in removing plaque from tooth surfaces in dog teeth surfaces. With a length of 6.5 inches, the toothbrush conveniently reaches the inner parts of your dog's mouth and still leaves room for flexible handling.

Key Features

  • Soft and tender bristles
  • Brushes large and small tooth surfaces
  • Reliable in plaque removal
  • Convenient handling

10. Virbac VR-CET304

Virbac VR-CET304
Virbac VR-CET304

If you own a toy or small-breed dog, you'll find the single-ended Virbac VR-CET304 toothbrush and invaluable hygiene booster for your pet.

Its head is small enough to fit comfortably in little mouths and work tooth tiny tooth surface effectively to remove plaque and eliminate bad breath. You can also use this toothbrush on cats.

At the toothbrush's head are soft bristles designed to enhance your pet's comfort during the brushing process while preventing gum irritation.

Key Features

  • It fits small mouths and teeth surfaces
  • Effective plaque remover
  • Prevents bad breath
  • Soft and comfortable bristle

11. Barkley's Healthy Pets Fingerbrush

Barkley's Healthy Pets Fingerbrush
Barkley's Healthy Pets Fingerbrush

Barkley's Healthy Pets Fingerbrush is built on a 360° design, allowing brushing your dog's teeth from any angle fast and painlessly.

It offers 12x more bristle coverage compared to standard finger brushes to enhance cleaning effectiveness.

The soft silicone used to make the brush is 100% safe for your pet but tough on plaque and tarter. Its flexibility allows for firm sealing of the toothbrush around the finger.

Key Features

  • 360° design for maximum coverage
  • 12x more bristles than standard brushes
  • Soft and safe silicone material
  • Flexible to seal around fingers

12. TropiClean Fresh Breath

TropiClean Fresh Breath
TropiClean Fresh Breath

TropiClean Fresh Breath comes as a comprehensive oral solution that includes brushing gel, a TripleFlex® toothbrush, and a soft fingertip brush for maximum dog teeth hygiene.

The brushing gel is based on a unique formula that targets and fights notorious bacteria while removing tartar and plaque.

Since the toothbrush is flexible, it cleans all the mouth areas while simultaneously massaging gum tissue.

When you need to brush your dog's sensitive teeth and gums, there's a finger brush to help with the process.

Key Features

  • Brushing gel helps fight bacteria
  • Effective tartar and plaque removal
  • Flexible toothbrush to maximum reach
  • Finger brush helps with sensitive gums

13. H&H Pets Finger

H&H Pets Finger
H&H Pets Finger

H&H Pets Finger offers you 8 high-quality finger toothbrushes that you can use to boost the dental hygiene of your dog or cat, especially if you own a couple of them.

Unlike standard bristles, which tend to have a flat profile, the ones on these brushes are slightly curved to adapt to access tricky spots and adjust to different gum areas.

The silicone is used to make the toothbrushes' bristles safe and soft such that they clean teeth without hurting or interpreting your pet.

Key Features

  • A value pack of 8 toothbrushes
  • Curved bristle profile maximizes mouth reach
  • Bristles adapt to different gum areas
  • Soft and safe silicone build

14. Kissable FF9034

Kissable FF9034
Kissable FF9034

The highlight of Kissable FF9034's versatile dog dental kit is its 3-sided toothbrush, which offers superior tartar cleaning performance in a single stroke.

This toothbrush also hugs the gums, massaging them gently while removing plaque that may be hidden in hard-to-reach spots.

The kit includes an all-natural cucumber mint dog toothpaste that prevents tartar buildup and eliminates bad breath to maximize cleaning efficiency. The toothpaste is also safe to swallow, so no rinsing is required.

Key Features

  • A versatile 3-sided toothbrush
  • Hugs and cleans gums gently
  • An all-natural toothpaste
  • No rinsing necessary

15. Ez Dog FF4533

Ez Dog FF4533
Ez Dog FF4533

Ez Dog FF4533 is a 3-sided toothbrush that offers flexible and independent heads for cleaning all the sides of your dog's teeth and gums efficiently.

It is built on an ergonomic design, which simplifies handling and operation, even when your pet can't sit still. At the bottom of the toothbrush's handle is a tongue cleaner, which adds to the tool's brushing efficiency.

The brush is ideal for small dogs under 60 lbs. and is dishwasher safe for easy, hassle-free cleaning.

Key Features

  • 3-sided and flexible for efficient brushing
  • Ergonomic easy-to-use design
  • Includes a handy tongue cleaner
  • Dishwasher safe

How to Buy the Best Dog Toothbrushes

How To Buy The Best Dog Toothbrushes
How To Buy The Best Dog Toothbrushes

1. Types of Dog Toothbrush

Regular: Their design is similar to that of human toothbrushes. It mostly comes in a single-head format.

Such toothbrushes may have smaller or softer bristles to maximize gentleness in the dog's mouth while preventing irritation.

Dual-Head: Similar to regular brushes, but with 2 heads. They are designed to hug teeth on both the inner and outer surfaces for maximum contact.

Dual-headed toothbrushes such as the Virbac CET401 can clean teeth effectively in fewer strokes than regular brushes.

Finger: This type of brush slips onto your fingertip. On the outer surfaces of finger toothbrushes are bristles typically made of silicone, which perform the cleaning.

These brushes are more flexible and offer superior mouth reach because you're in full control of them.

2. Toothbrush Head

The types and size of toothbrush head you choose will depend on your dog's age, mouth size, and teeth structure.

Often, heads are designed to suit pets of different ages. Some such as Vet's Best Dog Finger will brush teeth in dogs across all life stages.

If you have puppies that are just getting started with brushing, consider Mind Up Kenko Care for them. It has a small head with mini-sized bristles for maximum comfort.

3. Bristles

Bristle softness affects the brushing comfort of your furry friend. It would help if you opted for toothbrush bristles soft enough to soothe sensitive gum but sufficient to remove debris, plaque, and tartar.

If your dog is just getting started with brushing, choosing gentle bristles for them is a wise choice. Such brushes are not only the safest option, but they also help your pet embrace brushing fast.

4. Safety

The materials used to make dog toothbrushes have a significant impact on your pet's safety. For instance, silicone is a preferred material for finger toothbrushes because it is non-toxic and easy to clean.

When it comes to regular toothbrushes, BPA-free plastic is a widely used material. With regular and thorough cleaning, it has proven very pet-safe.

If your toothbrush comes with dog toothpaste, ensure its ingredients are safe for your pet(s). Most kinds of toothpaste use natural extracts to uphold safety. Some such as Virbac CET401 can even be swallowed.

5. Easy to Use

Dog toothbrushes need to be specially designed to give you, the user, more control and convenience over their operation.

One way such toothbrushes extend user-friendliness is by having angled necks, which enhance maneuverability and access inside your pet's mouth.

As noted earlier, finger toothbrushes are also easy to use because you have absolute control over the areas they access inside your pet's mouth.

When it comes to cleaning toothbrushes, the process is standard across most models. Simple rinsing after brushing your dog's teeth is enough maintenance.

Q&A

1. How Often Should I Replace A Dog Toothbrush?

There are no set rules on the frequency of dog toothbrush replacement. Depending on the frequency of use, you can replace it every 2 months with daily brushing or after every 4 - 6 months with less frequent brushing.

Another factor that could affect replacement frequency is toothbrush build quality. Poorly-designed brushes won't last long.

2. How Do I Clean My Dog Toothbrush?

It is best to clean your dog's toothbrush after every use. This practice helps maintain the brush's hygiene at an optimum.

Ideally, it would help if you cleaned your pet's toothbrush as frequently and with as much vigor as you do your own. Rinse it with warm water and sanitize the brush after every 4 - 6 weeks.

3. Can I Use A Human Toothbrush for My Dog?

No. It is unwise to use a human toothbrush on your dog. Human brushes have large heads and stiff bristles, which are capable of injuring your pet's gums.

Similarly, human toothbrushes have necks with greater angles than those of dog equivalents. The former is unable to reach deep into dogs' mouths comfortably.

4. How Can I Keep My Dog Calm During Brushing?

By exhausting your dog through vigorous but playful exercise for about 30 minutes before the brushing process, you can maximize the chances of your pet remaining calm.

This strategy helps release all your pet's energy naturally. By the time you're brushing your dog's teeth, the furry pet will not pose any significant resistance.

Buy on Etsy

Gentle Disposable Dog Toothbrushes | Soft High Grade Finger Toothbrush with Silicone - Walmart Link

Pienoy 50-Pieces Double-Headed Dog/cat Toothbrush - Convenient Toothbrush to Clean pet - Walmart Link

Dual Ended Long Dog & Cat Toothbrush | Pet Safe Super Soft Bristles for Pet Dental & Oral - Walmart Link

Orgrimmar 4Pcs 3-Sided Pet Toothbrush Dog Toothbrush Removing Bad Breath Tartar Cleaning - Walmart Link

BC Pets - Premium 3-Sided Dog Toothbrush Set - Three Sided Pet Tooth Brush 3 Pack for - Walmart Link

Prymal Pets Bamboo Dog Toothbrush - Double-Sided Dental Hygiene Brush for Pets, Cats, - Walmart Link

Jasper 360º Dog Fingerbrush Toothbrush Kit (2-Pack) Ergonomic Design, Full Surround - Walmart Link

Vet's Best Dog Finger - Walmart Link

Arm & Hammer FF7133 - Walmart Link

Mind Up Kenko Care - Walmart Link

The dual-ended Virbac VR-CET305 - Walmart Link

Barkley's Healthy Pets Fingerbrush - Walmart Link

the Vet's Best 3165810528 - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

Gentle Disposable Dog Toothbrushes | Soft High Grade Finger Toothbrush with Silicone - eBay Link

Pienoy 50-Pieces Double-Headed Dog/cat Toothbrush - Convenient Toothbrush to Clean pet - eBay Link

Dual Ended Long Dog & Cat Toothbrush | Pet Safe Super Soft Bristles for Pet Dental & Oral - eBay Link

Orgrimmar 4Pcs 3-Sided Pet Toothbrush Dog Toothbrush Removing Bad Breath Tartar Cleaning - eBay Link

BC Pets - Premium 3-Sided Dog Toothbrush Set - Three Sided Pet Tooth Brush 3 Pack for - eBay Link

Prymal Pets Bamboo Dog Toothbrush - Double-Sided Dental Hygiene Brush for Pets, Cats, - eBay Link

Jasper 360º Dog Fingerbrush Toothbrush Kit (2-Pack) Ergonomic Design, Full Surround - eBay Link

Vet's Best Dog Finger - eBay Link

Arm & Hammer FF7133 - eBay Link

Mind Up Kenko Care - eBay Link

The dual-ended Virbac VR-CET305 - eBay Link

Barkley's Healthy Pets Fingerbrush - eBay Link

the Vet's Best 3165810528 - eBay Link

Conclusion

If you want the best dog toothbrush for your pet, go with our top pick, the Vet's Best 3165810528. It is built on a triple-head design for maximum coverage. It also comes with pet-friendly gel toothpaste.

If you're on a budget but desire safe and high-quality dental care for your dog, we recommend the Nylabone NPD303P. It is a comprehensive kit that also includes toothpaste and a finger brush.

And if you have puppies that are just getting started with brushing, Mind Up Kenko Care comes with a micro head containing mini-sized bristles, which are gentle to pets' gums.

About Tom Ken

Tom has worked with many veterinary surgeons as a nurse at different veterinary clinics throughout his life.

There, he provides care for sick animals; such as: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, and sometimes reptiles.

He has good work ethics and gentle hands; hence, the doctors as well the pet owners have come to love his presence alot.

With this site, he aims to help the readers ensure their pets' wellbeing, learn how to care, and proivide medical treatment as needed.

Joshua received Veterinary Technician Degree at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.

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