Dog toothbrushes and dental chews are two of the most common ways to keep your dog’s teeth clean, but you can also use dental wipes. These make for a quick, affordable, and easy alternative.

While you can’t get into all the nooks and crannies of your dog’s teeth the same way that you can with a toothbrush, dental wipes are still an effective way to tackle plaque, tartar, and bacteria. They’re also much easier to use for owners with dogs that dislike toothbrushes.

Like toothpaste and dental chews, dental wipes come in a range of flavors and sizes. These reviews include the pros and cons of the best dog dental wipes to help you get started.

A Quick Look at Our Top Picks of 2024

The 7 Best Dog Dental Wipes

1. Vet’s Best Dental Care Dog & Cat Dental Wipes — Best Overall

The Vet’s Best Dental Care Dog & Cat Dental Wipes are made with natural ingredients that are safe for your dog. They’re the best overall dog dental wipes, and the formula contains green tea extract and thyme oil to fight plaque, tartar, and bacteria.

These dental wipes can be used once a day or one to two times a week to promote gum health, whiten teeth, and freshen breath. Each wipe can be slipped onto your finger for easy handling.

Although the Vet’s Best Dental Wipes use natural ingredients, the formula does have a strong taste and smell. Some dogs dislike the flavor and scent and might refuse to let you use them.

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2. Pet MD Apple & Mint Flavor Dog Dental Wipes — Best Value

If you’re looking for an effective, budget-friendly option for cleaning your dog’s teeth, our choice for the best dog dental wipes for the money is the Pet MD Apple & Mint Flavor Dog Dental Wipes. The pads are strong, durable, and textured to be effective in removing debris, plaque, and tartar. Pet MD dental wipes use a formula created by veterinarians and are safe for daily use.

While the apple and mint flavoring is great for keeping your dog’s breath smelling fresh, it’s a strong fragrance, and many dogs dislike it. The simple pads are also difficult to hold and wrap around your finger.

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3. MAXI/GUARD Pet Dental Wipes — Premium Choice

Formulated with neutralized zinc, the MAXI/GUARD Pet Dental Wipes are recommended by veterinarians. The wipes help clean your dog’s teeth and prevent bad breath by destroying bacteria. Along with the tasteless and scentless formula, the MAXI/GUARD dental wipes use natural ingredients to ensure that your dog stays healthy even if you use the wipes every day. All the wipes are designed to be durable and have a textured feel to make removing plaque and tartar easy.

These MAXI/GUARD dental wipes are small, though, and some dog owners have had problems holding them securely and using them on large dogs. Although you get 100 wipes in the resealable tub, this option is still one of the more expensive choices available.

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4. Petkin Plaque Toothwipes Fresh Mint Flavor Dog & Cat Dental Wipes

Petkin Plaque Toothwipes Fresh Mint Flavor Dog & Cat Dental Wipes use minimal ingredients and a natural formula that is safe for dogs over 6 weeks old. The formula doesn’t require you to use water or rinse your puppy’s mouth after use. It has a fresh mint scent and contains baking soda to fight bad breath. The baking soda also works to destroy bacteria, remove plaque and tartar, and whiten teeth. Stored in a resealable pot, Petkin Dental Wipes are great for traveling with your dog. It’s also easy to ensure that the unused wipes are kept moist and ready for next time.

However, some dog owners have found that the wipes smell unpleasant. They’ve been reported to have more of a floral or chemical smell rather than a pleasant mint scent. Several dog owners have also noted their dogs hate the flavor.

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5. TrueBlue Pet Products Fast & Fresh Dog Dental Wipes

The TrueBlue Pet Products Fast & Fresh Dog Dental Wipes fight bacteria, plaque, and tartar with a veterinarian-made formula consisting of natural ingredients. Flavored with parsley and peppermint, the wipes help fight odors in order to keep your dog’s breath smelling fresh. Each one is made with hypoallergenic material and includes baking soda to destroy bacteria and clean teeth.

Along with being textured to help scrub away debris, the TrueBlue wipes are cruelty free and biodegradable. The formula is safe for daily use and comes in a resealable tub to retain freshness and moisture.

Some dogs dislike mint and might find the flavor unpleasant, making it difficult for you to regularly use these wipes to clean their teeth. A few owners have also found that TrueBlue Dental Wipes smell like chemicals rather than parsley or peppermint.

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6. Jax & Cali Dog & Cat Dental Wipes

Made with enzymes to fight periodontal disease, Jax & Cali Dog & Cat Dental Wipes are safe for daily use. The formula relies on non-toxic, natural ingredients and a textured design to reduce bacteria, plaque, and inflammation. If you’re worried about keeping your dog healthy, these wipes avoid common harmful ingredients like latex, alcohol, and parabens. The formula is also completely cruelty free.

Each wipe is easy to hold and large enough to fit on most pet owners’ index and middle fingers. However, the size of the wipes does make it difficult to use on small dog breeds. It also has a strong peppermint smell that some dogs find overpowering and unpleasant.

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7. Wellnergy Pets Dental Care Dog Wipes

If you’re looking for reliable dental wipes, the Wellnergy Pets Dental Care Dog Wipes are formulated by veterinarians to be safe and effective. The wipes are pre-soaked with high-quality ingredients and are textured to assist in the removal of plaque and tartar. Wellnergy Dental Wipes are also scented with mint and apple to help reduce bad breath.

The tub holds 100 wipes and is resealable to retain moisture. It’s the perfect size for traveling and provides plenty of wipes to last you a while, even with daily use.

Compared to some other options, though, these wipes are more suited for small breeds. They can be difficult for pet owners with large hands to hold. The wipes aren’t that thick or durable.

Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Dog Dental Wipes

Dental care is an essential part of looking after your dog. Tooth wipes, or dental wipes, are a convenient alternative to other dental care options. This section will cover the pros and cons and how to choose the best dental wipes for your dog.

What Are Dog Dental Wipes?

You can get all sorts of wet wipes for your dog, including ones to clean their fur or tackle potty-related accidents, as well as eye-cleansing wipes and ear cleaners. Dental wipes are less common, but there are still plenty of options with a range of scents, flavors, and ingredients to help protect your dog from dental diseases.

If you’re considering dental wipes for your dog, here are a few pros and cons to keep in mind.

Benefits

Designed to be rubbed gently on your dog’s teeth and gums to remove plaque and tartar, dental wipes have several advantages that make using them easier than using a toothbrush.

Disadvantages

Unlike toothbrushes, dental wipes can’t get into all the nooks and crannies between your dog’s teeth. They can help fight plaque, tartar, and bacteria when they’re used regularly, especially for dogs that are wary about toothbrushes, but they ultimately work best when combined with other dental care solutions.

The flavor or scent can be a downside too. While dog toothpaste is often flavored with chicken, peanut butter, or another meaty taste, dental wipes tend to be mint or apple. The wipes fight bad breath as well as a toothbrush does, but many dogs hate the fresh taste.

What to Look For in Dental Wipes for Dogs

You need to consider your dog’s needs and their reactions to certain ingredients, textures, and flavors before deciding which dental wipes to try. Here are a few features to look for.

Active Ingredients

Dental wipes are designed to support your dog’s dental hygiene, so the ingredients should be tailored to make the wipes as effective as possible. Many dental wipes use natural ingredients like baking soda or zinc to whiten teeth, kill bacteria, and freshen breath.

You can also find dental wipes that use strong medicated formulas if your dog has an existing dental disease that needs to be treated. You’ll need to discuss the active ingredients with your veterinarian to determine which type will be most useful for your dog.

Durability

Part of what makes wet wipes simple to use is their durability. Unfortunately, though, not all wipes are created equal. For dental wipes in particular, you need to find a brand that uses a sturdy, reliable design that won’t rip when you scrub stubborn plaque build-up. Some are too thin and will fall apart when you use them, while others might be too rigid to hold easily.

Scent or Flavor

Many dental wipes are flavored or scented just like toothpaste is. Unlike the meatier flavors of dog toothpaste, though, dental wipes often lean more toward mint or apple. But you can also purchase unscented or unflavored dental wipes, so don’t worry if your dog hates minty freshness. Unscented wipes are also a good idea if you dislike the smell of mint or apple yourself.

Size

Like other wet wipes, dental wipes come in a range of sizes to suit different hands and dog breeds. Some dental wipes are also designed to let you slip them onto your finger, making them easier to hold as you rub your dog’s teeth. This can be useful if the wipe is too small to wrap securely around your finger or if you otherwise have trouble holding it.

When you purchase dental wipes, consider the size of your dog and your hand to determine whether small or large wipes would be preferable.

Texture

Dental wipes can be smooth or textured. Textured wipes are usually more durable and preferred for removing plaque and tartar. Smooth wipes have their uses too, though. If your dog has sensitive teeth, these are gentler on their teeth and gums.

How to Use Dog Dental Wipes

Although dental wipes might seem intimidating at first, it’s an incredibly simple solution for dental care. Dental wipes are easiest to hold if you wrap them around your index and middle fingers, and some are even designed to slide onto your finger for security. Once you’ve got a good grip on the wipe, gently lift your dog’s lip or hold their mouth open with your other hand, and rub the wipe over their teeth and gums.

You might want to ask a friend or family member for help holding your dog if they fidget. Also, you should combine dental wipes with another dental product designed for dogs. A toothbrush will be able to reach the places that your finger can’t.

Never use dental wipes if your dog is fearful or aggressive about having their teeth or mouth touched. You can end up with a nasty nip on your finger or hand if you’re not careful.

Final Thoughts

With so many types of pet wipes available, it can be difficult to choose the right ones. Here’s a quick recap of the top dental wipes in these reviews. Formulated with natural ingredients to fight tartar, plaque, and bacteria, the Vet’s Best Dental Wipes is our overall favorite. An affordable, minty-smelling alternative is Pet MD Dog Dental Wipes, which include 100 wipes for a long-lasting supply.

• See also: 8 Best Eye Wipes for Dogs – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot,Shutterstock