How to Choose the Right Oral Pet Care Products (and Why It Matters)

Tell us if this sounds familiar: you’ve finally decided to take control of your pet’s oral health and are looking to take the next steps. You hop on over to your favorite shopping site and do a quick search for “best oral pet care products.” But instead of finding what you need, you’re greeted by a long, confusing list of potential choices and unfamiliar companies. Or perhaps you've found yourself in the pet supply aisle of your local supermarket, deciding between toothbrushes, toothpastes, dental wipes for dogs, or specialized dental chews.

Frustrating, right? If you're overwhelmed by the myriad of products for pet oral care, we're here to help. By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll be an expert on everything from picking the best dental wipes for your cat to choosing the best dog toothpaste. (Want to skip right to the recommendations? Take our FREE 20-second quiz to see which HICC PET products are the right fit for you!)

Can't I Just Read Product Reviews?

When searching for oral pet care products, your first impulse might be to head straight to the reviews. The issue, however, is that every pet, like every pet owner, is unique. Which means products that get glowing reviews from other pet owners may not always suit you or your pet. This is especially important for products like toothpastes and dental gels for dogs, which change ingredient formulas periodically. Older reviews, even positive ones, might not take these new formulas into consideration. 

 That said, reviews are useful, so you shouldn't ignore them altogether. But when doing research on pet oral care products, they shouldn't be the only metric you base your purchases on. You should, instead, see them as the starting point for oral care.

Wipes, Gels, or Toothpaste?

The more important elements to consider include products that fit both your lifestyle and budget. You should also determine whether a product is designed to be used alone, or as part of a larger ecosystem. Take wipes, gels, and toothpastes, for example. These are often complementary steps in a care routine rather than standalone items. Here's a breakdown:

• Dental Wipes: A quick way to refresh your pet’s breath and remove lingering food residue or debris. Dental wipes are best used between brushings as a maintenance measure. The exception being their use by pets who aren’t quite comfortable with brushing yet. Likewise, if you’re just starting your oral care journey, wipes can kick-start your progress. They’re also fast, disposable, and easy to carry with you anywhere.

• Dental Gel for Dogs (and cats!): The two key features of dental gels are that they stay where you need them, and they can provide a vehicle for ingredients like HOCL, which has been heavily studied for its disinfectant properties. Manufacturers often design gels to supplement daily brushing and provide a deeper clean. We designed our HICC Pet dental gel for dogs to be used 1-2x per week, and we recommend using it on days when you’re not employing other oral care methods.

• Dog Toothpaste: The best and most widely accepted method for the daily cleaning of your dog’s teeth is toothbrushing with toothpaste. When used with a toothbrush, both vets and veterinary nurses consider toothpaste the gold standard for removing all that nasty stuff that creates oral health issues. For most pets, you’ll want to break out the brush at least once per day. You'll also discover the best dog toothpaste options—like our HICC Pet Beef & Pumpkin toothpaste—are often swallow-safe and come in flavors that your dog (or cat) will appreciate.

Start Slow and Go With the Flow

Finally, the hardest part of choosing an oral care product for your pet is ensuring their comfort with that product. For humans, brushing our teeth is a routine part of every day because we know it keeps our teeth healthy. But for dogs and cats, regular brushing isn't always welcome.  Even when studies show up to 84% of pet owners understand how important it is. When resistance is a factor, many pet owners would rather skip brushing altogether instead of creating stress for their pet.

The right way to combat resistance, however, is to introduce oral care products to your pet slowly and let them set the pace. It might sound like a daunting proposition, but with patience, practice, and positive reinforcement, teaching your pet to brush will benefit both of you. And remember, cats are often more finicky than dogs when it comes to brushing—another reason tailoring your approach to your pet is important. Let your pet decide their comfort level, treat and praise frequently, keep oral care sessions short, and take a step back if your pet shows signs of discomfort (lip licking, head shaking, etc.).

Pick the Perfect Oral Care Product for You

Unfortunately, there is no single “perfect” oral care product or routine that will work for everyone. Instead, focus more on finding the one that works for you. For some, that will mean sticking to products like daily dental wipes. For others, that will mean brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste a few times a week. Others may need to combine wipes with gels or toothpaste to achieve the desired results.

To streamline this process, we've put together a FREE online oral health quiz to help get you started in the right direction with the right products. That said, despite a confusing landscape of choice, the best oral care products aren't out of reach. As long as you stop to consider your pet’s individual needs, your lifestyle, and your level of commitment to your pet's overall oral health.

FAQ

Which pet oral care products are worth buying?

While a wide range of oral care products exist on the market today, most owners should choose toothpastes, gels, wipes, and/or toothbrushes for their pet's oral care. However, each pet's preferences and comfort level will dictate the products that you will ultimately use.

What dental products do vets recommend for pet oral care?

Most vets will agree that toothpaste and a toothbrush are the gold standard for pet oral health. Though, speak with your family veterinarian if you're having trouble finding products that work for your pet.

What's the best toothpaste for dogs and cats? 

While we're pretty proud of our Beef & Pumpkin flavored toothpaste, we know it might not work for everyone. Unfortunately, being the "best" is wildly subjective and must be individually determined on a pet-by-pet basis.