How to Clean Your Dog’s Teeth Naturally

Do you clean your dog’s teeth regularly? If your dog hates having their teeth brushed, you’re not alone. For many dogs, teeth cleaning takes training and a lot of perseverance. But as dogs can suffer from dental disease, just like us, it’s essential teeth cleaning is part of your dog’s grooming routine.

Keeping your dog’s teeth clean will maintain healthy teeth and gums, reducing the risks of plaque build-up, toothache, and bad breath. We’ve explored how to clean your dog’s teeth without brushing for better dental health and fresher breath.

If you’ve tried and failed to clean your dog’s teeth the traditional way, you’ll be pleased to know it’s possible to clean dogs teeth without a toothbrush. While not all techniques are as good as brushing to remove plaque and tartar build-up, some are just as effective without the hassle.

For all the stubborn pups out there, here are the best ways to clean dogs teeth naturally:

Good quality dental chews can minimise plaque and tartar build-up. They often contain ingredients, like parsley or peppermint, to promote fresh breath. In addition, dental chews scrape the teeth as your dog chews to remove plaque.

Effectiveness: Very good – Dental chews won’t eliminate the need for brushing, but they’re a good start.

Risks: None

Chew toys are a fuss-free alternative to brushing your dog’s teeth. Choose designs with a textured surface to help scrub the teeth in a similar way to a toothbrush. Many chew toys can be stuffed with food, like peanut butter to encourage more aggressive chewing.

Effectiveness: Very good – Chew toys aren’t the best way to clean dogs' teeth, but they will help remove new plaque.

Risks: Low – Never leave your dog alone with a chew toy. No matter how cautious you are, chew toys aren’t indestructible to all dogs, and they can be dangerous if swallowed.

Bones can help to clean your dog’s teeth, again by scraping away tartar and food debris as they chew. But you must choose the right type of bones to avoid injury. Avoid cooked bones which can break teeth and splinter, causing gastrointestinal injuries. Instead, choose raw bones from medium-sized animals as these are slightly softer.

Effectiveness: Very good – Chewing a bone for 30mins twice a week can help keep teeth clean and healthy.

Risks: Medium – Speak to a reputable pet food supplier or your vet for safe recommendations. Never leave your dog alone with a bone, as they can be a choking hazard.

Replacing some of your dog’s usual treats with crunchy fruit and veg can help keep teeth clean. Much like with chews, crunchy snacks like carrot and apple slices scrape the teeth as they chew. Introducing more fruit and veg into your dog’s diet also provides an extra boost of vitamins and fibre. So, swapping the treats is beneficial for your dog’s overall health and wellbeing.

Effectiveness: Good – Crunchy fruit and veg won’t eliminate the need for brushing. But healthy snacks will help to improve oral health and prevent bad breath.

Risks: Low – Familiarise yourself with safe human foods for dogs. Some fruit and veg can be toxic, such as white potato and leeks. Check out the handy list of safe fruit and veg from PDSA for guidance on what dogs can and can’t eat.

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