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How to Clean Your Dog’s Teeth Without Brushing

Dated: May 15, 2020 Last Modified: March 21, 2021


Your dog’s dental health is as just as important as yours.

Many dog’s diets lack fibrous, tough material to break down residue that builds up on their teeth. Intervention to remove the tartar buildup may be required as early as two or three years old to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

If tartar is left to build up, your dog’s dental health may require vet treatment, which can be both costly and invasive.

Not all hounds are accommodating when it comes to using a toothbrush. Luckily there are several natural ways to clean your dog’s teeth without brushing. Simple steps you can add to your dog’s daily routine to keep their teeth and breath their opulent best. 

Home Remedies to Clean Your Dogs Teeth

Feed A Raw Diet

Most breeders agree that a raw diet or BARF diet is a great way to keep your dog healthy. While you’ve more than likely heard this before, do you know that it can help naturally keep your dog’s teeth clean? Raw diets contain meat, fibrous tissue, cartilage, and bones.

One commonly asked question is, “Do bones clean dogs teeth”? The answer is yes when they are the right bones. The process of eating and chewing meat and bones is abrasive and helps break down formations of plaque.

It is one of the best ways to help control the buildup of tartar on your dog’s teeth, as the bone meal and gristle will act like fine-grit sandpaper, or a toothbrush to scrub the teeth and gums as your dog chews.

Eggshell Calcium Helps to Strengthen Dog's Teeth

This easy DIY eggshell calcium powder makes a great suppliment for healthy bones and teeth.

Egg Shell Powder for Dogs

Easy to make eggshell powder is a great calcium supplement for your dog.

Feed All Natural Chews

A raw food diet is not feasible for all pet owners. If you’re not a fan of the raw food feeding idea, you can get similar results by giving your dog all-natural chew treats.

When choosing chew treats, you should avoid commercial rawhide, which is often highly processed with chemical treatments.

Many natural snacks and chews are chemical-free and provide stimulation and stress relief for your dog as well as being an effective way to buff away plaque. Using quality natural dog chews is one of the easiest and most natural ways to clean your dog’s teeth.

Things to Consider with Edible Tooth Chews

  • Always supervise your dog with any edible treat. Some dogs may consume them too fast, break pieces off and swallow whole. Contact your vet or watch for stomach upset if a large pice is consumed in one go. 
  • If your dog’s teeth are already diseased, they may break them further on hard chews such as hooves or sterilized bones. Opt for softer chews or fresh bones with meat and cartilage if feeding a raw diet but be wary of splintering or contamination. 
  • Chewable treats can add a lot of calories to your dog’s diet, so adjust their food consumption accordingly. 

C.E.T. VeggieDent Chews are the most effective and safe teeth cleaning chew recommended by vets. It’s what we give our dogs. 

Virbac CET Veggiedent FR3SH Tartar Control Chews for Dogs

Brushless Teeth Cleaning Products

Many pet product companies have learned dog owners want a way to keep their dog’s mouth clean without having to brush their dog’s teeth at home.

There are several products available that help dissolve plaque by simply being applied. The brand, PetzLife, offers a gel that’s tasty and is simply sprayed-on. It’s made from natural ingredients such as distilled water, thyme, peppermint oil, and grapefruit seed extract. It also contains neem, which is a proven antiseptic and anti-fungal.

Much the same, there are many brushless toothpaste brands on the market. Some even come in the form of chew treats that contain edible toothpaste in their core.


Oxyfresh Advanced Pet Dental Spray – Instant Pet Fresh Breath: Easiest No Brushing Pet Dental Solution for Dogs and Cats – Best Way to Fight Pet Plaque, Keep Teeth & Gums Healthy. 3oz.

Oxyfresh Advanced Pet Dental Spray

Ark Naturals Dog Brushless Toothpaste 4 in 1 with Toothpaste center, Dental Chews for Small Breeds, Vet Recommended for Plaque, Bacteria & Tartar Control, 8-20 Lbs, Single Pack, Packaging May Vary

Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste Dog Dental Chews

Petlab Co. Dental Wash | Dog Mouthwash & Teeth Cleaner | Dental Water Solution, Targets Plaque & Tartar | Maintains Clean Teeth & Supports Gum Health & Fresh Breath (1-Pack)

Petlab Co. Dental Formula Water Additive for Dogs


Provide Your Dog Plenty of Chew Toys

Chew toys not only provide your pooch with entertainment, but they are also an easy way to clean your dog’s teeth naturally.

The best toys for teeth cleaning contain grooves and bumps. As your dog chews on the toys, dental plaque is cleared away as the toy rubs against the gums and teeth during regular play.

Most pet stores carry toys specifically designed for teeth cleaning. The only challenge you may face is finding one your dog won’t get bored with over time. To combat this, there is now a range of toys designed with toothpaste reservoirs to enhance the teeth cleaning and encourage your dog to chew. 

Bristly Brushing Stick for Small Dog with Toothpaste - The Original Dog Toothbrush Chew Toy Made from FDA Food Grade TPE - Small Dog Teeth Cleaning Toy for Healthy Gums and Clean Teeth

The Original Dog Toothbrush Chew With Toothpaste

Maintaining Your Dogs Healthy Teeth

As you can see, there are many natural ways to clean your dog’s teeth at home. The one you choose will depend on your personal preferences and which your hound responds best to.

Regardless of which method you choose, be sure to do at least one to maintain your dog’s oral hygiene. Keeping your dog’s mouth free of germs and plaque will help your dog live longer and prevent unnecessary dental vet visits. 

Pinable image of a cute Yorkshire Terrier lying on it's back with text overlay - Simple ways to clean your dogs teeth without brushing

Dated: May 15, 2020

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