Homemade Toothpaste for Dogs
See this easy Homemade Toothpaste for Dogs to keep that doggy breath from taking over!
Homemade Toothpaste for Dogs!
When you adopt a dog, you never know what kind of shape they are going to be in or what underlying health problems they are going to have. When we adopted Boomer he was very scared pup and his teeth were awful. We tried getting his teeth cleaned at the vet several times and it just wasn't helping.
While most dogs tend to not need extra special care with their teeth, (silver lab puppies are known for their sparkling white teeth, which are natural ), some dogs– or breeds in general– are more prone to dental issues and that yucky breath smell.
Of course getting them cleaned is a good first step, and as rescue-pet parents we always recommend having a good Vet you can voice your concerns to. We aren't dog experts of course, so we always ask recommendations before trying anything new with our dogs.
This is your reminder, always check with your vet before trying anything for your pet to promote heath. This post doesn't substitute for any vet advice and it's just something that worked for us personally. 🙂
Check out this DIY Toothpaste for Dogs we were able to use for our fur babies!
Why Store Bought Dental Products Didn't Work for Us:
Boomer has a small mouth, and very small teeth. Being a rescue he has things he will and won't do. He absolutely would not chew on dental bones! So I needed to find a better option.
We tried brushing his teeth but those nasty beef flavored toothpastes just weren't cutting it. So we decided to come up with our own Homemade Dog Toothpaste Recipe.
I started with a few things we knew to be dog-safe, and of course OK with our vet since our dogs do have a few health issues.
Our DIY Solution!
I started with something I use for my own teeth as a natural product to promote health: Coconut Oil, of course!
I just used what I had on hand, which is this Carrington Farms Organic Coconut Oil.
It doesn't matter what brand you use, but we always stay with organic since that's important to us as a family. You can pick up coconut oil at Walmart, the Health Food store, or where you normally shop.
I do have a few different cartons of it in the house. I keep my cooking Coconut Oil separate from the one I use for my own dental care. For this reason, I bought a separate carton just to use for the Homemade Dog Toothpaste! I have to say with our natural living recipes and DIYs, we go through a lot of it. 🙂
I also used regular Pure Baking Soda. With my DIY natural mixes and recipes, I go through a lot of this myself. You can opt to just get the small box of Baking Soda for this recipe, which is well under $1.
I purchase mine in bulk.
Add Essential Oils:
If you are familiar with essential oils, you know that some are safe for dogs. We do not recommend any recipe with essential oil for felines, so please do not use this recipe for your cat! Essential oils are/can be very toxic for cats.
If you aren't familiar with which essential oils work, be sure to do your research first. We love the fresh smell the Peppermint Essential Oil gives this toothpaste, and the fact that you don't have to use a lot to add a great scent.
My dogs needed some help to freshen up that breath! This really does smell like toothpaste!
Add Tumeric:
This one might sound a bit odd, but adding turmeric as an ingredient is one you don't want to skip.
Yes it will give an odd color. I don't think I would want to use any yellow toothpaste myself, but remember this is just for our furry friends.
Tumeric is believed to have oral health benefits, mainly tooth whitening. For dogs, tumeric is ideal to add to this Homemade Toothpaste.
Dogs won't be worried about the odd color or the possibility of tasting it in the paste, which us humans might be a little adverse to.
One thing to know is that if you add the Tumeric, it can stain if left on. Wipe with a clean cloth after you brush your dog's teeth. We use an old rag to wipe around our dog's mouth to make sure there is not any left on and around his mouth afterwards.
You might not think Parsley is a good way to freshen your own breath, but in this toothpaste it works as a natural ingredient that will help boost the fresh smell.
Parsley works as a natural deodorizer, in addition to the peppermint scent from the essential oil.
Mix all the ingredients and keep in a small glass jar. Be sure to label with the date made. Stored in the fridge and sealed, it should last for 4-6 weeks.
Finished Product!
This homemade dog toothpaste recipe may not look appetizing but it does the trick. If you're used to looking at that yucky brown beef flavored doggy toothpaste then you should be used to the color lol.
You might notice the paste has a thin consistency at room temp, but that's OK. For my dogs, it is actually easier for me to apply to their teeth with it a little on the watery side. If you're getting it out of the fridge and using while it's cold, it will have a firm consistency since the coconut oil has hardened.
Note: I actually tried doubling the recipe this time and it made mine mixture a little more runny. It's still worked great but I'd start out with a regular dose of it for the first time. A regular dose will also not be as dark as the above because you are not using as much turmeric.
I hope you get a chance to make this for your own dogs! Let us know how it worked, and of course if they liked the flavor!
To Use, apply a small amount to a washcloth or toothbrush, similar to the amount of toothpaste you normally use. Hold your dog securely and wipe teeth with cloth, working in a circular motion to gently apply to the teeth and dislodge any food on his or her teeth. If your dog is more curious, let them sniff out the scent of the toothpaste first. You can also offer treats afterwards to keep the tooth brushing experience positive!
I actually got a $5 spin brush from Walmart and use that, and it's worked great for us!
Print Recipe Here:
Homemade Toothpaste for Dogs
See this easy Homemade Toothpaste for Dogs to keep that doggy breath from taking over!
Materials
- Ingredients
- 2 T. Coconut oil - brand does not matter
- 2 tsp. Baking soda
- ½ tsp. Turmeric spice
- 4 drops Peppermint Essential Oil - I use Young Living
- 1 tsp. fresh parsley - if you don't have fresh you can use dried, but results may vary
Tools
- Small glass bowl with sealing lid
- Toothbrush
Instructions
Combine coconut oil, baking soda, turmeric, peppermint essential oil, and parsley to a bowl.
If you are using fresh parsley, finely chop on a cutting board before mixing. Dried parsley can be added right into your mixture.
Store in glass container in refrigerator for up to 4 weeks before replacing!
Label and date.
To use, just apply a small "toothpaste" amount to a washcloth or toothbrush. Gently apply in circular motions to your dog's teeth.
Notes
If you are unsure of weather your pet can have ingredients such as Tumeric or Peppermint Essential Oil, please check with your vet! This DIY is meant for dogs; please do not attempt for other pets.
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