Can Dogs Use Human Toothpaste? Understanding the Risks and Alternatives

Dental health is an important aspect of the overall health of our pets, but a common question arises among pet owners: Can dogs use human toothpaste? The answer is no. Human toothpaste contains ingredients like fluoride and xylitol, which are harmful to dogs. This article is your ultimate guide to understanding why human toothpaste isn't safe for dogs and how you can effectively maintain your pet's dental health without reaching for human toothpaste.

The risks of using human toothpaste on dogs

When it comes to maintaining your dog's oral health, reaching for your own tube of toothpaste can do more harm than good. Human toothpaste contains several ingredients that are harmful to dogs.

Here's why it's not a safe choice:

1. Fluoride

While fluoride is beneficial for human dental health, it's toxic to dogs. Most human toothpastes contain enough fluoride that when ingested by your dog, can quickly reach toxic levels.

With that, we typically see fluoride toxicity in two different forms: acute and chronic. Acute toxicity is when a dog consumes a large amount of human toothpaste in a short period of time. Signs of acute fluoride toxicity typically start within a few hours and may include:

In cases of chronic toxicosis, the clinical signs develop slowly and subtly over an extended period, potentially spanning months or years. Symptoms to watch for include:

2. Xylitol

This sugar substitute, commonly found in many human toothpastes, is extremely dangerous for dogs. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener and has properties that prevent tooth decay in people, hence the reason why it is added to human toothpaste.

Xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin in dogs, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be life-threatening. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning include:

3. Foaming agents

Ingredients that make toothpaste foam, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, aren't meant to be swallowed and can upset a dog's stomach. Dogs aren't able to spit out toothpaste like humans, so they're at risk of ingesting these agents.

Does your dog even need toothpaste?

When it comes to brushing your dog’s teeth, the question arises: Is dog toothpaste really necessary? Surprisingly, the effectiveness of toothpaste, whether it's formulated for humans or dogs, lies not in its ingredients but in the mechanical action of brushing. In pets, over 90% of dental cleaning benefits come from the physical act of brushing itself, rather than the toothpaste.

The role of toothpaste in dental hygiene

Dog toothpaste, in essence, plays a very minimal role in the removal of plaque and tartar. It's the mechanical brushing action that does the heavy lifting, scrubbing away food particles and bacteria that contribute to dental issues.

It's the brushing that does the heaving lifting, so using water or chicken broth as a toothpaste substitute would work just as well.

Lack of evidence on veterinary toothpastes

There is limited evidence supporting the idea that toothpaste for dogs significantly enhances the effectiveness of dental care in pets. While they are specially formulated to be safe for dogs and free from harmful substances found in human toothpaste, their primary function isn’t so much in improving dental health, but in other areas.

The appeal of flavored toothpaste

The main benefit of using veterinary toothpaste lies in its palatability. These toothpastes often come in flavors that are enticing to dogs, such as poultry or beef. This can make the tooth-brushing experience more enjoyable for your pet, potentially making them more cooperative during the process.

It's this increased willingness to participate in tooth brushing that can make flavored veterinary toothpaste a valuable tool in a dog’s oral hygiene routine.

When should I start brushing my dog's teeth?

Initiating dental care early in your dog's life is key to establishing a healthy oral hygiene routine. The best time to start brushing your dog’s teeth is when they are a puppy.

Ideally, introducing your puppy to the toothbrush and brushing should occur as soon as possible. This can be around 10-12 weeks of age. During this time, their teeth are still developing and they're in the puppy teething stage, and they are more likely to accept new experiences as a normal part of their routine.

The goal is to make tooth brushing a positive and stress-free experience. Start by gently handling your puppy's mouth and teeth, using your finger or a soft cloth, before gradually introducing a toothbrush. You can also use this opportunity to inspect their teeth and gums for any signs of potential issues.

Regular brushing, ideally once to twice daily, should become a part of your puppy’s routine and extend into adulthood. Consistency helps in preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar, reducing the risk of periodontal disease as they age. It also familiarizes your dog with the sensation of brushing, making it a normal part of their daily life.

But is toothbrushing necessary for dogs to have healthy teeth?

This may be surprising to you, but I am not a big advocator of daily tooth brushing in dogs. I do however feel strongly about proper dental care in pets and believe a healthy mouth is a healthy pet.

That being said, here is why I do not push pet owners to brush their pet's teeth:

1. You need to brush frequently to see the benefit. Unless you can brush at least once a day, preferably two, there is little benefit in my opinion. Once-weekly Sunday morning brushing or tooth brushing by the groomer every 6-8 weeks isn't going to benefit.
2. Veterinary toothpastes are inadequate. Human toothpastes are great because they contain fluoride, which is very beneficial to teeth. As we've learned in this article, we cannot give our dogs human toothpaste because of fluoride so we automatically lose a huge benefit to toothpaste in dogs.
3. Are you able to brush ALL 42 teeth in your dog, inside and out, and in between?! Probably not, and therefore you are only cleaning the outside surface of the teeth and the ones that are most easily accessible. If you can't do it right, then there may not be a point in doing it at all.

I am not against tooth brushing but feel there are other, and perhaps better, options. I have seen teeth brushing benefit pets, but you have to do it right.

Here is what I recommend when it comes to dental health in pets

I have found in practice that the best way you can help your pet maintain a healthy mouth is to feed a kibble designed specifically to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and at the gumline. Examples include Royal Canin® Dental or Hill's Prescription® T/D. Focusing your brushing the fang teeth (canines) and the ones in between (incisors), where the kibble won't affect may be beneficial, but again, you have to do it right and brush 1-2x daily inside and out.

In addition to dental kibble, I recommend a non-chemical water additive that will help to prevent the formation of plaque, which will reduce the amount of tartar on the teeth. A product that I recommend is Vetradent®. You mix it with the water and now every time your pet drinks, it will coat the teeth. It is best to use this product before signs of periodontal disease as there needs to be exposed enamel.

Lastly, I recommend professional teeth cleanings by your veterinarian. Even people who brush, floss, and use oral rinses, still have their dentist clean their teeth. The same applies to pets. The frequency of cleaning depends on individual factors -- some dogs need it done yearly but others need it every few years.

In closing, you may have asked yourself "Can dogs use human toothpaste?" The answer is No! Never use human toothpaste in your pets. One of the fundamental reasons why it is unsuitable for dogs lies in the fact that it's not intended to be swallowed. As you've learned, human toothpaste contains various ingredients that are safe when used as directed - which includes spitting out the toothpaste after brushing, not swallowing it. However, dogs do not have the natural habit or ability to rinse and spit out toothpaste after brushing and this presents a significant problem. The best way to manage your pet's dental health is by using dental kibble, water additives, and regular cleanings by your veterinarian.