Dog Dental Care

Support your dog’s teeth and gums every day

You might not notice changes in your dog’s mouth straight away, but plaque starts building on their teeth every day.

Regular dog dental care and hygiene helps manage that everyday plaque accumulation on teeth. It can also support healthy gums, fresher breath and a cleaner mouth over time.

At Virbac, our dental care for dogs includes brushing products, dental chews, water additives and oral rinses, giving you different ways to build a routine that works for your pet.

Do dogs need dental care?

Dogs benefit from regular dental care because everyday plaque can build up on tooth surfaces over time.

Plaque is a soft film containing bacteria that builds up on the tooth surface. If it stays there, minerals in saliva can cause it to harden into tartar, which is much harder to remove.

This is why vets recommend brushing your dog’s teeth every day. Regular brushing helps remove plaque before it has more chance to build up, while other dental products can provide extra support alongside it.

We have more dental advice if you want practical guidance on how to approach your dog’s oral care.

Choosing the right dog dental care products

The best dental care routine for your dog is one that helps manage plaque and is realistic enough to use consistently.

Our range falls into three main groups. We have brushing products, dog dental chews and additional oral care formats such as water additives and rinses.

Dog toothbrush and toothpaste

Brushing gives you direct mechanical cleaning of the tooth surface, so it should form the foundation of your dog’s home dental care routine.

Our C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste is formulated specifically for pets and uses our patented C.E.T. Dual Enzyme System. Glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase work together to help control oral bacteria and plaque formation, and there’s no need to rinse your dog’s mouth after use.

If you’re starting from scratch, our C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit combines toothpaste with a dual-ended toothbrush and finger brush. The finger brush can be a useful way to introduce mouth handling gradually before moving on to regular brushing.

Our C.E.T. Dual-Ended Toothbrush is also available separately. It has soft bristles and two differently sized, reverse-angled heads to help you clean different areas of your dog’s mouth more easily.

Dog dental chews

Dog dental chews can provide extra mechanical cleaning as your dog chews.

Our VeggieDent FR3SH chews have a tough texture and distinctive Z shape designed to contact different tooth surfaces and help manage plaque and tartar. FR3SH technology also helps support fresher breath.

Our VeggieDent ZEN chews provide the same dental care focus with added calming support from L-theanine in green tea extract.

If you’re comparing the best dental chews for dogs, don’t just look at flavour. The right size, effective chewing action and evidence for dental benefit are all important.

Dog dental water additives and oral rinses

Water additives and oral rinses can give you extra ways to support your dog’s oral hygiene, but they work differently.

Vet Aquadent FR3SH is a dog dental water additive that you add to fresh drinking water each day. It uses FR3SH technology to support oral hygiene and fresher breath as part of an everyday routine.

Hexarinse is a targeted dog oral rinse you apply around the teeth and gum line. It contains 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate to help control oral bacteria and plaque and can be used daily or as directed by your vet.

A water additive goes into your dog’s drinking water, while an oral rinse is applied directly around the mouth, so these two products can complement each other as part of your regular routine.

Building a daily dental care routine for your dog

You don’t need to use every dental product at once. A good routine is one you can stick to and that suits your dog.

Our expert advice is to:

• Make toothbrushing the foundation of your routine
• Introduce mouth handling gradually if your dog isn’t used to brushing
• Use toothpaste formulated specifically for pets
• Add a correctly sized dental chew if it suits your dog
• Consider a water additive or oral rinse for extra support where appropriate
• Check your dog’s mouth regularly for changes

The key is to keep things simple and choose a routine that works for you and your pet.

Dental care as part of your dog’s wider health routine

Oral hygiene is one part of your dog’s wider health and wellbeing. Regular dental care sits alongside appropriate nutrition, parasite protection and the other everyday routines that help keep your pet comfortable and well.

Our everyday healthcare range covers support for a variety of needs beyond dental care.

You should also remember that dental chews contribute to your dog’s daily intake, so they should be used in line with feeding guidance and considered as part of their overall diet. You can explore our dog food range for nutrition matched to different life stages and needs.

When should you speak to a vet about your dog’s teeth?

Home dental care helps support routine oral hygiene, but some changes need veterinary assessment.

Speak to your vet if you notice:

• Persistent strong bad breath
• Bleeding or swollen gums
• Loose or damaged teeth
• Difficulty chewing or dropping food
• Excessive drooling
• Pain around the mouth
• A sudden change in eating behaviour

If tartar or dental disease is already established, more brushing or adding more products may not be enough. Your vet can assess your dog’s mouth and advise what treatment or professional cleaning may be needed.

Build a better dental care routine for your dog

Regular dog dental care helps manage plaque and support healthier teeth, gums and breath.

Daily brushing should be the foundation, while dental chews, water additives and oral rinses can give you extra ways to support your dog’s routine where appropriate.

Explore our dog dental care range and choose the products that best fit your dog’s everyday oral hygiene.

Dog dental care FAQs

Can I give my dog a dental chew every day

Some dog dental chews, including our VeggieDent FR3SH and VeggieDent ZEN chews, are designed for daily use when you choose the correct size and follow the feeding instructions. Dental chews add to your dog’s daily intake and should complement toothbrushing rather than replace it.

Where to buy dog toothbrush and toothpaste

At Virbac, we offer C.E.T. toothpaste and toothbrushes separately, as well as a combined oral hygiene kit. You can order our dog toothbrush and toothpaste products online for convenient home delivery.

Are dental water additives suitable for dogs

Dental water additives formulated specifically for dogs should be used according to their instructions. Vet Aquadent FR3SH is designed as a daily drinking water additive for dogs and cats. Always follow the product directions and ask your vet if you’re unsure whether it’s suitable.

What should I look for in the best dental chews for dogs?

Look for a chew that’s the right size for your dog, provides effective mechanical cleaning and has evidence supporting its dental benefits. Clear feeding guidance and a format your dog can chew safely and consistently are also important when choosing a dental chew.