Make Your Own Organic Dog Toothpaste

Written by: Marina Hanes • Edited by: Niki Fears
Updated Jul 7, 2010 • Related Guides: Baking Soda

Brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis can prevent health problems and veterinary bills in the future. Making an organic dog toothpaste at home is easier and more cost-effective than having your veterinarian put your pet to sleep in order to remove plaque buildup.

Dogs Dental Issues

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Yes, it’s true that dogs need their teeth brushed too! They don’t need to have their teeth brushed every day, but weekly cleanings are beneficial. Dogs with poor dental hygiene can have loose or abscessed teeth as well as plaque build up, which can result in bad breath and other problems.

Because human toothpaste is not edible, it is important to use a toothpaste designed for dogs. If you used human toothpaste on your dog, your dog will end up with an upset stomach or more severe digestive problems. To avoid having these problems with your pet however, you can make a safe, organic dog toothpaste that will clean your dog’s teeth and appease your dog’s appetite for a beefy treat.

Organic Dog Toothpaste Recipe

The main ingredients of dog toothpaste include baking soda, salt and glycerin. In an airtight container, mix the following:

6 teaspoons of baking soda
1/3 teaspoon of salt
4 teaspoons of glycerin. If you are a vegetarian or vegan dog owner, you can opt for the glycerin that comes from plants.
In addition to these ingredients, you can either mix in 2 teaspoons of organic, low-sodium beef broth or 2 teaspoons of peppermint extract.

When everything is mixed, the texture should be similar to that of your own toothpaste. Also, remember to store the dog toothpaste in the refrigerator.

Toothbrushing Supplies

In order to brush your dog’s teeth, you will need a toothbrush similar to the one you have for yourself. At a pet store, you can find toothbrushes on a rubber cap that fit over your finger, and these can be more comfortable and convenient for you and your dog. To make cleaning up even easier, keep a washcloth nearby.

Brushing your dog’s teeth at least twice a week preserves your dog’s teeth and overall health. To help the dog get used to this being a part of its grooming session, you can smear a small amount of the toothpaste onto a few teeth and gradually increase the amount you use until you are brushing all of them. In the long-term, you will save money on veterinary bills and preserve your dog’s periodontal health.

Picture Credit

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22748341@N00/122633416/

Christina Sep 9, 2010 9:14 PM

RE: Make Your Own Organic Dog Toothpaste

you can by glycerin at a pharmacy or health food store

morgan Jul 6, 2010 10:32 PM

What is actually true?

okay i really want to no if any of this is harmful to my dogs....because o many of you are sayin one thing is harmful and others are saying"no go ahead its fine" and i have researched it but it does the same thing yall re doing....so i dont no whatto do ...plae help someone!!!!!!! and it costs about 80 dollars to speak with the vet so i ty to go only when really needed.thankyou..other than that great recipe;)

Joyce Baylis Jun 6, 2010 3:16 PM

Delicious Dog Toothpaste

Sweet and simple and oh so good !!
Take a liver treat, smoosh it up in a small cup or dish. Add a drop or two of water and rub the bristles of a toothbrush in it. It's the brush that does the work, and the "paste" tastes delish....my dog can't wait for his teeth to be brushed....yummy !!!!

Marina Hanes Nov 24, 2009 9:02 PM

@Brenda Z

Thanks for sharing your recipe with us!

Brenda Z Nov 21, 2009 7:44 PM

I use a mix of a small amount of water and a small amount of baking soda, and a drop of peppermint oil. This works ok because its the brushing that does the cleaning anyways, My dog has a bad habit of eating out in the backyard ( you know what I mean) and this is the saving grace for the bad breath.

Marina Hanes Oct 5, 2009 9:10 PM

Safety Concerns

First, thanks so much for reading my article, and I appreciate all of the feedback! I hope you found the recipe helpful.

Baking soda can be toxic to dogs but in large amounts, so you should only use a small amount necessary to scrub your dog's teeth. Basically, you don't want your dog consuming the entire batch of doggy toothpaste.

With regard to glycerin, it's only caustic if you purchase a raw by-product that has not been through the saponifying process. The raw by-product will contain the lye catalyst, which can cause burning of the skin, so as long as you get processed glycerin, your dog will most likely not have a reaction since the caustic ingredient is removed. However, every dog is different, and if you're pet is often sensitive to things, it's best to seek your veterinarian's advice first.

jen mcg Sep 30, 2009 4:19 PM

baking soda

I've read online that baking soda is toxic to dogs (I don't know in what quantity) so i would advise checking with a vet first before making this...........

Kathy Aug 7, 2009 10:34 PM

glycerin

Where can I get glycerin to make dog's tooothpaste???

Nan Caroll Jul 1, 2009 5:16 PM

Glyceryn

Glycerin as a common ingredient in soap. It is not harmful to the skin or body and is safe to consume. It can be mixed with other substances to form a toxic substance (like nitroglycerin) but is safe for your dog. You'll find it's a common ingredient in dog food. It's possible to have an allergic reaction to it, but that is rare.

The one change I'd make to this recipe is to recommend low sodium broth mix.

Phyllis Ledford Jun 25, 2009 5:31 PM

I have read that glyceryn will burn if put on the skin. Will this recipe for toothpaste that has it in it not burn the dogs mouth? Waiting for an answer. Thank you Phyllis

Make Your Own Organic Dog Toothpaste

Dogs Dental Issues

Organic Dog Toothpaste Recipe

Toothbrushing Supplies

Picture Credit

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