A good oral care routine for dogs does more than just keep doggy breath at bay. With over 80% of dogs over the age of 3 having dental disease, it’s important for dog owners to establish a healthy dental hygiene routine for their dogs.1 Dog mouthwashes, water additives, and dental rinses are effective dental products that can help reduce the risk of developing dental issues. They’re also really easy to administer and help cover any spaces you may have missed with toothbrushing.
Since good dental hygiene is a priority for dogs, we’ve researched some of the best mouthwashes and dental rinses you can find. Our reviews are sure to help you find the right one that’ll keep your dog’s mouth clean and smelling fresh.
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A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Vetoquinol Dentahex Dog & Cat Dental Rinse |
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Best Value
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Arm & Hammer Products Complete Care |
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Premium Choice
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HealthyMouth® Topical Spray for Dogs |
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TropiClean Fresh Breath Cleans Teeth |
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TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Dog Dental Spray |
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The 6 Best Dog Mouthwashes & Dental Rinses
1. Vetoquinol Dentahex Dog & Cat Dental Rinse — Best Overall
| Size: | 8 fl. oz |
| Main Ingredients: | Water, glycerin, sorbitol |
| Features: | Plaque and tartar removal, breath freshening |
Vetoquinol Dentahex Dog & Cat Dental Rinse is the best overall dog mouthwash and dental rinse because it provides antibacterial ingredients in an easy to use rinse at a decent price. The formula has anti-plaque and anti-calculus properties. The active ingredients are chlorhexidine 0.12% and zinc, which are both ingredients that help kill oral bacteria, reduce plaque, and freshen dogs’ breath.
The bottle comes with a narrow applicator, which makes it easy to apply to your dog’s teeth and gums with accuracy. Some dogs don’t like this flavor and can be more resistant to using this rinse. So, it may take some treats and extra positive reinforcement to help your dog get used to it.
- Has anti-plaque and anti-calculus properties
- Easy to apply on teeth and gums
- Helps freshen dog’s breath
- Dogs may not like the minty taste
2. Arm & Hammer Products Complete Care Mint Flavored Dog Dental Spray – Best Value
| Size: | 6 fl. oz |
| Main Ingredients: | Water, cetylpyridinium chloride, sorbitol |
| Features: | Breath freshening, antibacterial |
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, Arm & Hammer Dental Spray is the best dog mouthwash for the money. It’s a minty mouth spray that works to fight plaque and prevent tartar buildup. Cetylpyridinium Chloride which is antibacterial is the main ingredient in this product. It also contains baking soda to help freshen your dog’s breath naturally.
It is not yet Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved which is the only real downside to using this product.
- Fights plaque buildup
- Naturally freshens breath
- Flavorless and odorless
- Not VOHC approved
3. HealthyMouth® Topical Spray for Dogs – Premium Choice
| Size: | 8 fl. oz |
| Main Ingredients: | Papain, yucca, cinnamon, pomegranate |
| Features: | Spray on teeth, creates a film, fights dental disease |
HealthyMouth® Topical Spray for Dogs is the best premium choice. It is the only spray that has been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. This means that it has been clinically tested and proven to prevent dental disease.
We love that the formula contains only natural ingredients. Papain is extracted from papaya and reduces the build-up of proteins in the mouth. Zinc gluconate is an antibacterial agent. Together these ingredients effectively reduce the bacteria that lead to plaque and tartar.
HealthyMouth® Topical Spray comes in an 8-ounce bottle, ready to squirt directly into your pup’s mouth. It’s a more expensive option that is not widely available online, so your best bet for purchasing it is straight from the manufacturer.
- VOHC approved
- Easy to apply on teeth and gums
- Natural ingredients
- Only one online retailer in the US
4. TropiClean Fresh Breath Cleans Teeth & Freshens Breath Dog Dental Water Additive
| Size: | 16 or 33.8 fl. oz |
| Main Ingredients: | Cetylpyridinium chloride, green tea extract, zinc gluconate |
| Features: | Antibacterial and breath freshening, fights dental disease |
TropiClean Fresh Breath Cleans Teeth & Freshens Breath Dog Dental Water Additive is another great product approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. It is a water additive with zinc and cetylpyridinium chloride to prevent tartar and plaque.
It comes in two sizes so you can try a smaller bottle in case your dog doesn’t like it or purchase a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option.
Some dogs don’t enjoy this product in their water. It is flavorless but the green tea extract gives it a slight flavor. Most customers were satisfied with the results.
- VOHC approved
- Two bottle sizes available
- Some dogs won’t drink it
5. TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Dog Dental Spray
| Size: | 4 fl. oz |
| Main Ingredients: | Water, glycerin, naturally derived alcohol |
| Features: | Breath freshening |
TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Dog Dental Spray is one of the best sprays that fights bad breath. It comes in a mint flavor and a peanut butter flavor that most dogs don’t mind. It’s also free of any sulfates, parabens, dyes, or artificial colors.
This dental spray is a good option for dogs that are still getting used to tooth brushing or aren’t fans of water additives. It’s quick and easy to use and will freshen your dog’s breath instantly. However, it’s not designed to address your dog’s oral care completely. It works best as a supplement to your dog’s main oral care routine or as a quick fix while you’re training your dog to get their teeth brushed.
- Freshens breath instantly
- Quick and easy to use
- Comes in two flavors
- Only supplemental to dog’s oral care routine
6. Skout’s Honor Oral Care Fresh & Flavorless Dog & Cat Dental Water Additive
| Size: | 32 fl. oz |
| Main Ingredients: | Water, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid |
| Features: | Fights plaque and tartar, breath freshening |
Skout’s Honor Water Additive recently gained Veterinary Oral Health Council approval, so it will aid in fighting plaque and dental disease. Citric acid and zinc chloride work together to fight bacteria and freshen breath. The product doesn’t contain any alcohol, parabens, CHG, CPC, or chlorine dioxide.
The water additive comes in a large bottle and you can choose between a flavorless or peanut-butter and bacon option. If you have cats in the house this product is safe and beneficial for them too. This product specifies that it is for pups older than 6 months only. Like many water additives, some dogs will not appreciate this in their dish.
- Has anti-plaque and anti-calculus properties
- Large bottle
- Safe for cats
- Dogs may not like the taste
- Pups older than 6 months only
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Dog Mouthwash & Dental Rinse
There are a lot of options to look through when shopping for a new dog mouthwash or dental rinse. It’s easy to get swept up in marketing claims and narrow down your options. Here are three key factors that will keep you on track and make finding a new dog mouthwash easier for you.
Plaque and Tartar Buildup
While dog mouthwashes are mostly known for freshening breath, they can also help reduce plaque and tartar buildup. They’re a great way to target hard-to-reach spots that you may have missed while brushing your dog’s teeth.
So, if you want to improve your dog’s oral care, look for a dog mouthwash or dental rinse that contains ingredients that fight plaque and tartar. Veterinary Oral Health Council-approved products are proven to help prevent dental disease. If you need guidance on keeping your dog’s dental hygiene healthy, we suggest you speak to a vet.
If you need to speak with a vet but can’t get to one, head over to PangoVet. It’s an online service where you can talk to a vet online and get the personalized advice you need for your pet — all at an affordable price!
Odorless Formula
Some dogs may not mind having scents coming from the water bowl. However, dogs with picky palates are often suspicious of these smells and may stop drinking from their water bowl altogether. It’s often helpful to look for dog mouthwashes that have mild scents or an odorless formula. This can help immensely with getting your dog to drink their water and prevent dehydration. Just keep in mind that these types of dog mouthwashes may perform as well with freshening a dog’s breath.
Safe for Puppies
Some formulas aren’t safe for puppies, so it’s important to always check the product labels before purchasing a mouthwash or dental rinse. You can usually find information on whether the dog mouthwash is designed for puppies. The product listing also provides how many weeks old the puppy must be before they can start using it.
How We Selected These Dog Mouthwashes & Dental Rinses
This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog mouthwashes and dental rinses reviewed here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog mouthwashes and dental rinses available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog mouthwashes and dental rinses. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.
Conclusion
From our reviews, Vetoquinol Dentahex Dog & Cat Dental Rinse is our top choice because of its well-rounded formula, and it’s easy-to-use. Arm & Hammer Dental Spray is an excellent option if you’re looking for a more affordable mouthwash. HealthyMouth® Topical Spray for Dogs is worth every penny because it has a powerful, all-natural formula that fights plaque buildup.
While dog mouthwashes can’t completely replace toothbrushing, they’re easy to use, help keep your dog’s teeth clean, and reduce bad odors. They’re definitely worth adding to your dog’s oral care routine.
Featured Image Credit: Zhuravleva Katia, Shutterstock
