The best dental water additives for dogs

Dogs smile with their tails, not their teeth. But keeping your dog’s dental hygiene in tip-top shape is an essential part of maintaining their overall health. Daily brushing helps prevent painful canine dental issues, Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source including gum disease. Pet parents can take their doggie’s oral health to the next level by adding dental water additives. These dental products are like mouthwashes for dogs. Simply pour the recommended amount into your dog’s water dish and enjoy fresh breath and less tooth decay.

There are a ton of dental water additives on the market, and they’re not all equal. Our team reviewed and tested popular options. We evaluated each one for safety and effectiveness of ingredients, clinical testing, taste, smell, “fresh breath” time, and packaging.

The TropiClean Fresh Breath Dental Health Solution boasts the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance. A dental product with this seal on the packaging has been shown to effectively reduce tartar and plaque buildup during clinical trials. Of course, it’s only effective if your dog will drink the water with the additive in it — and our product reviewer’s dog did.

• Ingredients. TropiClean formulated this dental health product with safe, natural ingredients proven to fight tooth decay, like bacteria-busting zinc gluconate.
• Clinical testing. This dental water additive underwent clinical testing and has the VOHC Seal of Acceptance and National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal. 
• Do dogs mind the taste? Our product reviewer, Sara Ondrako, put the suggested amount of product into her dog’s water dish. Her dog continued to drink the water normally as this product is tasteless.  
• Smell. The Fresh Breath Dental Health Solution has a faint, fresh scent.
• “Fresh breath” time. This dental additive claims to improve your doggie’s breath for up to 12 hours and make kisses more fun.
• Packaging. The product arrived leaking and with a broken seal. Fortunately, it came in a plastic bag that prevented it from dripping on other items included in the order. 

Pet parents reach for oral care products to nix harmful bacteria and bad breath. A product can have the best ingredients in the world. But the pet has to be willing to use the product, and pups can be finicky. The smell can affect whether or not your dog accepts a dental health product. Naturél Promise takes that problem off the table with a no-scent solution.

• Ingredients. Naturél Promise’s formula includes natural ingredients that keep your pet’s mouth fresh and clean. This product uses antimicrobial agents cetylpyridinium chloride and zinc gluconate to fight dental disease. 
• Clinical testing. Pet parents can feel confident in Naturél Promise’s dental health solution. It went through clinical testing and earned the VOHC Seal of Acceptance and NASC Quality Seal. 
• Do dogs mind the taste? Our dog didn’t know their water bowl was full of ingredients to bolster their oral health. They lapped their water up as normal.
• Smell. This option is odor-free, so pups are less likely to detect it.
• “Fresh breath” time. Naturel Promise says its product can freshen breath for 12 hours.
• Packaging. This product arrived safe and sealed.

TropiClean’s Fresh Breath Advanced Whitening Dental Health Solution is packed with extra ingredients that dissolve, destroy, and defend against plaque. It can also help keep your pup’s teeth looking clean and white.

• Ingredients. Sodium, citric acid, and zinc are among the ingredients known for keeping your dog’s teeth clean and healthy. 
• Clinical testing. This product underwent clinical testing and has the VOHC seal and NASC quality seal.
• Do dogs mind the taste? Our dog drank the dental water additive mixture with zero suspicion.
• Smell. The dental water additive has a light, minty smell — sort of like mouthwash. But once we added it to our dog’s water, we couldn’t smell it.
• “Fresh breath” time. TropiClean says that it can freshen your dog’s breath for half a day when used as directed.
• Packaging. The product arrived sealed. The cap doubles as a convenient measuring cup.

Why you should trust our reviews | How we picked | At first glance | How we tested these products | Honorable mentions | Product we don’t recommend | What else should pet parents consider? | Frequently asked questions

We left no stone unturned when digging for the best products. We found the most popular dental water additives from top-rated vendors on the market, including Amazon and Chewy. Our veterinarian helped us narrow down our list before we ordered them and sent them off to our product reviewer.

Sometimes, once we review a product in-person, we decide not to recommend it to pet parents. A popular product didn’t make our list, and we think it’s important for pet parents to know why. We removed dental waters without a VOHC seal at the recommendation of our veterinarian. This important seal means a product was clinically tested to remove plaque and tartar, and is a safe choice for your pup. After our vet’s and product expert’s review, we chose a “top pick,” the product that ranked the highest in all of our criteria.

Here’s a comparison of how the products stack up against each other on paper.

*Price on Amazon or Chewy at the time of our review

We worked with our product expert and veterinarian to determine the most important review criteria. This step enabled us to bring you the best dental water additives on the market.

• Ingredients. You want safe, effective ingredients, so we had our vet evaluate each product.
• Clinical testing. Were these products tested and approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) or the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC)? Only products with VOHC and NASC seals made the final cut.
• Do dogs mind the taste? Dogs mustn’t detect or mind the dental additive in their water. Otherwise, they won’t drink it, rendering the product ineffective and causing dehydration.
• Smell. Did the product have a strong smell? Some dogs may prefer odor-free options.
• “Fresh breath” time. Does the product claim to freshen a dog’s breath? If so, for how long?
• Packaging. What’s the packaging like? Does it include any helpful ways to measure the product into your dog’s water bowl?

These popular products are found all over the internet, and others recommended them. However, after reviewing, these didn’t make the top of our list because they lacked the VOHC seal. They’re OK, just not the best. Here’s what you need to know:

• Bodhi Dog Peppermint Fresh Breath Dental Water. Our product reviewer’s pups really enjoyed the Bodhi Dog Peppermint Fresh Breath Dental Water. They weren’t put off by the smell, which Sara compared to the shampoos groomers use.
• Dechra Vetradent Water Additive for Dogs and Cats. Though this product doesn’t have the VOHC seal, it does have proven ingredients like citric acid and zinc chloride. It’s odorless and flavorless, so your dog won’t avoid their water, and it comes with a handy measuring cup.
• Oxyfresh Premium Pet Dental Care Solution. Oxyfresh claims its dental care product is flavorless and odorless, and 20/10 Sara can confirm. She also mentioned her pup’s breath seemed to smell better.
• Petlab Co. Dental Wash. Petlab Co. claims its ingredients break down plaque. But without the VOHC seal, it’s hard to be sure.

Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Water Additives for Dogs is a popular product and a hit on the internet, and others have suggested it. However, after reviewing, we decided we can’t say the same. There’s a few reasons why.

Nylabone’s water additive may be all the rage on the internet, but pet parents will want to beware. Dog owners often want to avoid products with artificial ingredients and dyes. This product contains blue dye, which could be irritating. And Sara’s dogs didn’t find the water additives all that tasty. Though it temporarily reduced bad breath, the overpowering peppermint smell was a bit much for Sara.

Does your dog need a dental water additive?

Dogs of all ages can benefit from dental water additives. This is especially true if your pet dislikes teeth brushing or is a senior dog. Adding dental water additives to your dog’s dental routine is a simple step that you can take to keep their pearly whites in great shape.

👉 Dental water additives work best when you change the water every day!

Small and toy breeds and greyhounds are more prone to periodontal disease than other dogs. If you own one of these breeds, it’s a good idea to start them on a water additive or offer other at-home dental care. A dental powder, toothbrushing, or dental chews may all be worthwhile. The more at-home dental care you can provide, the more likely your dog’s teeth and gums will stay healthy.

What are dental water additives?

Dental water additives are liquids formulated to clean and freshen your dog’s mouth. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle of the water additive. It will tell you how much of the water additive to add to your dog’s drinking water daily — it’s that simple. Think mouthwash for your fur baby. Most pet parents look for dental water to combat offensive breath, but it’s also a holistic way to promote oral health.

Though dental water additives are no replacement for daily brushing, they offer many benefits. Ingredients like cetylpyridinium chloride and zinc gluconate are antimicrobial agents that help to kill the bacteria in the mouth that causes tartar and plaque formation on the teeth. All in all, they can be very helpful in fighting plaque, reducing tartar buildup, and ultimately preventing gum disease.

How to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy

There are several facets to proper puppy oral care. For starters, we recommend brushing at least two to three days per week — daily is even better — and having your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned when your vet recommends it. To get your pup used to teeth brushing, introduce the process slowly. Make sure to use proper pet toothpaste, and let your dog taste it first. Or, opt for an easy DIY dog toothpaste you can make at home with just a few ingredients.

Treat breaks are fair game as you get your pet used to sitting still. All it takes is 30 seconds per day to get a good brush in! Over time, your dog should grow accustomed to the routine, allowing you to get a good cleaning in.

👉 Learn how to brush your dog’s teeth in four easy steps.

Even with daily brushing and annual cleanings, tartar can form below the gumline. Tartar formation is a breeding ground for the bacteria that leads to gingivitis in dogs. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress into periodontal disease (gum disease), the leading health problem in dogs. Look for common symptoms like bleeding gums, problems eating, and bad breath. If you notice drops of blood left on toys or food dishes, as well as mouth sensitivity, then you should discuss these signs with a vet.

A yearly professional cleaning is generally recommended, but that can vary by breed. Some breeds, like dachshunds and Chihuahuas, seem to be predestined for oral health problems. Other breeds with less crowded teeth may be OK with preventative care at home. It’s always best to give your dog excellent dental care at home and always stay in communication with your dog’s vet.

Dental wipes, sprays, and chews can help, too

Supplementing daily brushing with dental water additives and other products can make a difference in your dog’s dental health. According to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell, dental sprays may also help prevent plaque buildup. Trusted Source Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary school. Go to source Consider incorporating one of these vet-approved plaque wipes, freshening sprays, or chews into your dog’s daily routine.

Other favorite dental products for dogs

• Healthymouth Topical Spray for Dogs. This dental spray is clinically proven and is an easy solution for large dog breeds.
• Healthymouth Anti-Plaque Topical Wipes for Dogs. These dental wipes are made for dogs that don’t like to drink water with dental water additives in them.
• Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Dental Chews. These VOHC-approved dental chews are favored by veterinarians because they’re clinically proven and healthy for dogs to eat.