8 Simple Ways On How To Clean Your Dog’s Teeth Without Brushing (Updated July 2022)
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Everyone wants the best oral health for their dog.
However, not all dogs will be cool with having a toothbrush in their mouth. Heck if your dog is anything like my Jack, he will lick all the toothpaste away before I can clean one tooth.
But you might be asking, is there a way to clean their teeth without a toothbrush? Is it even possible? Luckily, it can be done!
This article will provide you with instructions on how to properly clean your dogs teeth without brushing, and step by step how to brush your dogs teeth!
Additionally, I’ll provide you with some advice for spotting serious dental issues at the end of the article and cost ranges for expert dental cleanings.
Ready to get started? Let’s Go!
8 Ways To Clean Your Dog Teeth Without Brushing
- All-Natural Hard Chews
Think about it, dogs that are in the wild do not have access to toothbrushes or someone to clean their teeth for them…
So by nature, they use bones as an alternative means of removing plaque.
When dogs chew on these bones, they’re scraping their teeth as they chew, raw bones and other all-natural chews like bully sticks, yak chews, and antlers help remove plaque and tartar buildup. This scraping motion essentially scrubs your dog’s pearly whites with a gentle polish.
Your dog’s teeth will become cleaner as they chew on these items, and the longer they can chew, the cleaner they’ll be.
Bully sticks are generally more flavorful, but harder chews that last longer, such as antlers and yak chews, tend to be more effective. If your dog finds antlers boring, try substituting yak chews for them or giving them a short soak in some natural bone broth to enhance their flavor.
Where To Buy Hard Chews:
- 6Yak Cheese Dog Chews (for all sizes)
- Split Elk Antlers (for all adult dogs)
- Turbo Tendon Chews (great for all dogs)
- Bully Sticks (great for all dogs)
The Pros:
- Tasty Treat
- Easy to implement and use
- Can be a good teaching tool
The Cons:
- Watch calories (if giving bully sticks and other treats)
2. Dental Treats
With our second recommendation we have dental treats. These are efficient and great way to clean your dog’s teeth without brushing.
These dental snacks are designed with specific ridges and grooves to aid in removing tartar and plaque. When your dog chews on them, the chews also get scraped by their teeth as they “sink into” them.
Not only is it a great way to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy but, your dog will also enjoy it as it tastes good (like a treat).
Some of the ones we recommend are Pupford’s Dental Chews for Dogs dental treats. Using these dental treats is a simple and the easiest way to clean your dog’s teeth without brushing.
So where can I buy these dental treats?
Well before you go out and buy the first ones you see, there are some things to look out for. Some will be filled with fillers so look for products that have few ingredients and are natural.
The Pros:
- No work for you – just grab a treat and give to your dog
- A tasty reward
- Removes tartar and plaque (as good as brushing)
The Cons:
- Little pricey if using everyday (what we would recommend)
- Extra Calories
Other than that, you can find some here on Amazon, and some here on Chewy.
3. Bones
Chewing bones can be found here and are excellent for our dogs’ dental health in addition to being tasty and healthy for them.
Plaque and tartar are scraped off during a dog’s chewing session on a real meat bone. One of the easiest ways to easily clean your dog’s teeth is with this completely natural method!
When dealing with real-meat bones, there are a few safety precautions to be aware of.
For example, giving your dog cooked bones is not advised and should be avoided at all costs.
The reason is cooked bones can splinter, crack, and cause your dog to get cuts, blockages, and other issues. The best option is to use uncooked bones.
Uncooked bones can be found if you ask a butcher, meat processing facility, or other establishment in your area.
You can find a wide variety of chews online here.
The Pros:
- Helps clean plaque and tartar
- Last a long time
- Made with natural and healthy ingredients
The Cons:
- Potential choking hazards
- Have to make sure you get the right kind.
4. Dog Dental Wipes
What if there was an easier way to brush your dogs teeth, without having to use a brush. Well that’s what the dog dental wipes are. Instead of using a small brush, you’re able to use a pad.
It is much easier to clean your dog’s teeth with wipes as opposed to a brush.
Now they wont be as effective as using the toothbrush, but you will be able to make some improvements here. And of course, since it’s just a wipe, less plaque is “scraped” off..
There are even a good amount of wipes that have been approved by The Veterinary Oral Health Council.
You can find these on online stores like Chewy & Amazon.
The Pros:
- Easy to use
- Multiple teeth cleaned at a time
- Doesn’t taste bad
The Cons:
- Not the best to remove plaque.
- Can get pricey.
5. Food Supplements
Using food supplements can allow you to help soften your dog’s plaque and remove it altogether.
These supplements use certain enzymes and other ingredients to become effective.
For these to really be effective, they should be given daily. You’ll be fine as long as you regularly remember to put it in your dog’s food.
You can find these at: Amazon & Chewy
The Pros:
- Easy to use – just sprinkle some on your dogs food
- A natural / safe / healthy option
The Cons:
- Some dogs dislike the flavor
- May need to clean the dog’s teeth as it wont fully remove the plaque.
6. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has tons of advantages for humans, but those advantages don’t end there. Bacteria can’t survive in coconut oil.
Coconut oil can help to lessen the bacteria that causes plaque on your dog’s teeth and gums. Not only that, if you want to brush your dog’s teeth yourself but they don’t like it, you can add coconut oil to there food and it will still work.
It can assist in removing plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth as they eat.
It also has a variety of other advantages, including assistance with bad breath.
You can purchase coconut oil for dogs here
The Pros:
- All natural / healthy option
- Cheap
- Taste good
The Cons:
- High in calories
- Toothbrush may be needed still
7. Dental Toys
Dental toys, like dental treats, are designed specifically to aid in tooth cleaning.
They typically have unique ridges and grooves with special functions for assisting in the removal of tartar and plaque.
Consider it a dog toothbrush toy.
The Pros:
- Easy, simple and quick to use
- No mess
The Cons:
- If your dog is a chewer – he’ll destroy this quickly
- Some see no benefit
8. Oral Spray And Gels
Another way to clean your dog’s teeth can be with sprays and gels. Between brushings, they aid in eradicating bacteria that cause plaque.
They provide a quick and simple way to eliminate bad breath. Most sprays are simple to operate. Just spritz the gums and teeth. Gels need a little more manual labor. The gel must be applied to your dog’s teeth and gums.
You can find sprays & gels online here
The Pros:
- Easy to use
- Natural ingredients
- Good for bad breath
The Cons:
- Not the best as you need to put your hand in your dog’s mouth (gel)
Now before you go out and buy your new dog teeth cleaner, there are some other things to make sure you’re aware of. We will discuss these potential issues now.
Additional Tips On Your Dog’s Teeth
- Dental Disease
If you have ever had a toothache or teeth pain, then you’ll know the pain that comes along with it.
This pain can actually be amplified for our furry friends so knowing the signs and symptoms of this, are crucial.
The following list includes some common indicators of periodontal (dental) disease.
- Red or puffy gums
- difficulty chewing
- teeth with dark brown spots
- Damaged teeth
Any hesitation or discomfort your dog provides while eating could be a sign of dental issues as well.
Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned.
Why You Should Clean Your Dog’s Teeth
Although all of the strategies we’ve covered are excellent alternatives, brushing your dog’s teeth will still always be the best option.
For the best oral health of your dog, you must brush their teeth frequently.
The ideal situation is to regularly brush your dog’s teeth at least once a week, but more likely 2-3 times a week.
If you’re having trouble, check out this video that will breakdown how to master cleaning your dog’s teeth below:
Top Notch Dental Cleaning Costs
Depending on where you live and the availability of clinics in your area, the price of dog dental cleanings will vary.
You should typically budget between $300 and $600 for a cleaning.
You did read that correctly. at least $300–600.
That in itself is reason enough to take care of your dog’s dental health.
But what’s really cool is there’s actually a way to save on your dog’s trips to the vet. Whether it be for routine check ups or dental cleaning. Check out our article on how to save money by going to the vet here.
Conclusion
You can still maintain your dog’s oral health even if you are unable to brush their teeth.
Give them natural chews and bones, try hard rubber chew toys, take them for routine dental cleanings, and add some food supplements with enzymes.
Make an appointment with your veterinarian for a checkup if your dog’s breath ever seems particularly bad.
But in the meantime, grab some all natural bones, and some chews. Your dog will thank you for the tasty treat and you’ll be happy to know the plaque on their teeth is grinding away.
