The 8 Best Dog Toothbrushes Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024 - gentledogtrainers.com.au (2024)

Not a lot of pet parents know that brushing their dogs’ teeth should be an everyday activity. But it’s logical: the food gets stuck between the teeth, and they can’t get those bits out without your help. However, most dogs won’t stand still while you’re brushing their teeth. It’s a difficult task but getting a proper toothbrush can make your job faster and easier.

To help you pick the right dog toothbrush, we’ve researched different models and created a list of those we believe are the best. But we didn't go it alone; we teamed up with veterinarians and dedicated dog parents to form a team of independent experts. After weeks of trying out the best dog toothbrushes Australia offers, we discussed our findings (and shared glowing pics of our dogs' new dazzling smiles!) and finally agreed on this list of the best of the best.

Before we see what features you should pay attention to when choosing the right product for your canine companion. Let's walk you through our top picks and what is available for a doggy toothbrush on the Australian market.

Australia's Best Dog Toothbrush Options Reviewed

There’s a lot of things to think about when choosing the toothbrush for your pooch. But we’ll make your job a bit easier. Here are our favourite dog toothbrushes you can find on the market, all hand-tested and hand-picked by our team of independent experts and their loving canines.

Toothbrushes for dogs don’t usually look much different than ours. Most of them have long handles and heads with nylon bristles. Well, the toothbrush from this dental kit by Vet’s Best is not a typical toothbrush.

Even with a quick glimpse, it’s obvious how this toothbrush is different. It has three bristle heads that are designed to help you clean each tooth from all angles. This is handy, especially when trying to clean the teeth in the back. The bristles are medium density, which makes them ideal for adult dogs.

However, I discovered that it might not be gentle enough for elderly dogs (like mine) and puppies. The dog toothpaste that comes with the kit contains enzymes and natural ingredients that help with removing plaque and tartar.

Our independent panel team members believe this brush will work well for adult pooches of all sizes. In fact, it’s designed to be used for both cats and dogs, thanks to the size of the bristle head. The handle is long and has a textured rubber that makes it comfortable to hold and won’t slip out of your hands in case your dog starts squirming around.

Since it’s a “medium” brush, it might take some time for your dog to get used to it, but it will all be worth the trouble. If you need a toothbrush with softer bristles, we recommend you check out our number three choice for puppies.

Charcoal is well-known for absorbing toxins, and it’s found in different hygiene products (1). Recently, regular charcoal has been replaced by bamboo charcoal, since it’s more porous and way stronger at absorbing than the regular one. Petdentist know the benefits of bamboo charcoal, and that’s why they made a toothbrush with bristles made of it.

The veterinarians on our expert panel assure us that bamboo charcoal is 100% natural and safe for use on our pets. It absorbs toxins and stains from your pooch’s teeth and makes them white. It removes plaque and bacterias and anything else that can cause a dog’s bad breath.

Bamboo charcoal is so strong it even prevents any bacteria buildup on the toothbrush itself. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wash the toothbrush after every usage, but you can bet it will always be sterile and without odour.

I love how the bristles of this brush are soft and have round ended tips, which makes this brush suitable for dogs of all ages. In fact, it can be used for other pets, like cats and ferrets. However, the product itself is not small. Therefore, if your pooch is tiny, you might have trouble reaching all the teeth.

When it comes to dog dental care, there’s no such thing as starting too early. Puppies start getting their adult teeth when they reach around 6 months of age, and as soon as they do, it’s time to introduce them to toothbrushing. If your pooch’s milk teeth are about to be replaced with adult ones, our panel of independent experts say it’s time to get a puppy dental kit, such as this one from Nylabone.

For over half a century, Nylabone has been making dog dental products that are used all over the world. This kit has everything you need to introduce your dog to dental hygiene. Like our first choice, it includes a toothbrush and toothpaste. What sets it apart is that it also includes a finger brush. The toothbrush is angled for better reach and has soft nylon bristles that gently clean growing teeth. There are also rubber bristles around the outer corners of the brush, which are great for massaging gums.

Some puppies can’t stand the thought of a strange “stick” being used inside their mouth, and in such cases, a finger brush can be a better way to introduce your pooch to toothbrushing. It’s made of rubber and allows you to reach all the tricky areas where tartar can build up.

Finally, the toothpaste that comes with the kit contains Denta-C, which helps reduce plaque and killing bacteria. It’s safe for puppies older than 8 weeks and tastes like Molasses - which our test pooches loved.

As we learnt more than ever during the trail phase of our research, brushing your dog’s teeth can be quite tricky. Pooches don’t understand what we’re doing with that bristly thing in their mouth, so that’s not surprising. They might move around or chew the toothbrush, and you might end up getting only a few teeth clean per one toothbrushing session. However, the 360-Degree Pet Toothbrush from Emours could solve your problems.

As the name suggests, this toothbrush from Emours has a 360-degree bristle head. This means that the bristles go all around and even if your dog is wiggling and moving, the toothbrush will touch the teeth. The bristles are 1.2 cm long, which makes this toothbrush ideal for small dogs like Pomeranians and Yorkies, unlike our number two option. With that being said, you can also use it for large dogs, although a cleaning session will take a bit longer.

Although important, dental hygiene can be monotonous. If only our dogs could brush their own teeth… Well, they love chewing stuff, so they actually could brush their teeth, although the toothbrush would probably get destroyed in the process. That’s a pity and a waste of money, unless the toothbrush is edible! And that’s exactly what our independent expert team love about this VOHC-approved toothbrush from Whimzees is (2).

This dental treat comes in the shape of a toothbrush. It has grooves and ridges that will get into those small spaces between the teeth and remove plaque and tartar. At the same time, it helps the blood flow through the gums. The handle is designed in such a way that allows the dog to hold it with the paws while chewing on it.

Teeth brushing is a tedious activity, and no matter how patient and obedient our dogs are, we can safely assume they don’t enjoy it. Still, it has to be done every day. To make this dull task a bit more appealing, our expert panel say that we can buy the other stuff that helps with dental hygiene, like chew toys.

This toy from Erichome is made of 100% natural eco-friendly rubber. This material is non-toxic and really gentle to both teeth and gums. It features short bristles that go in different directions and are supposed to help your pooch get rid of all the food bits stuck between the teeth.

But that’s not all. There’s a hole at the top for adding your pupper's favourite toothpaste. I added the toothpaste, and then the toothpaste flowed through seven holes on the toy. As my dog chewed on the toy, the toothpaste was distributed throughout his mouth and teeth. He was doing his own dental hygiene routine whilst playing, all without my aid! We also liked how the toy has stabilising pads that keep it steady on the floor while your pooch chews on it.

That all sounds nice and dandy, but what if your dog doesn’t want to use it? Well, Erichome offers full refunds in case there are any issues after receiving the product.

Accessories for large dogs are usually hard to find. Dog beds, collars, leashes, jackets etc. However, some things that are designed for smaller dogs can work. For example, a smaller fur comb will get the job done, although in a longer period of time. The same goes for toothbrushes. On the other hand, dental hygiene accessories are harder to find for small dogs. Well, our so our panel of independent experts thought until we found this kit from TropiClean.

The kit comes with a regular toothbrush, a fingertip brush and a brushing gel, similar to our number five choice. The TripleFlex toothbrush has bristles that are positioned in such a way to reach the teeth from all sides. Around the edges, there are rubber bristles that are supposed to gently massage the gums. I also loved how the handle is ergonomic and comfortable and won’t slip out from your hand.

Fingertip toothbrushes are great, as they give you more control over toothbrushing. You can also get a better look at your dog’s teeth and see if there are any dental issues. Plus, these are generally really gentle and ideal for young pups who are about to experience their first toothbrushing. There are plenty of finger toothbrushes on the market, but not all of them are great. But everyone on our team of independent experts noted that with these from Harzara, you can’t go wrong.

This professional set from Harzara features six finger toothbrushes. They come with a practical drawstring bag, so you can keep them all clean and safe in one place. The finger hole on these toothbrushes is designed to fit anyone, unlike most other models on this list. Uniquely, they also have a safety ring attached, that prevents the toothbrush from slipping off from your finger. This is great, as you don’t have to worry about scenarios like your dog swallowing one during dental hygiene sessions.

I also love how the toothbrushes are made of non-toxic silicone. The bristles are soft, short and dense, which allowed me to remove my dog's plaque and tartar without hurting his gums. Toothbrushes are reusable, but it’s recommended you change them once a month.

What I Look For When Buying A Dog Toothbrush

Now we have looked at what's on the market for a dog toothbrush, why should you establish a tooth brushing routine for your pup? Did you know that dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions our canine companions suffer from? Statistics show that 80% of dogs will likely have dental or periodontal disease by the time they reach three years of age (3).

What’s even worse is that the lack of dental care can cause other health issues, ranging from diabetes to heart disease. It starts with plaque, which causes the dog’s immune system to react and get inflamed.

Oral hygiene is a must, but no dog likes us touching their teeth. That’s why you need to make tooth brushing as much of a tolerable experience as you can. The first step towards doing that is picking the appropriate toothbrush for your pooch. Here are some things our panel of independent experts suggest you keep in mind when making the choice:

Types of Dog Toothbrush

There are three types of dog toothbrushes you can find on the market. The most common one is the standard toothbrush that looks pretty much like the one we use for brushing our teeth. The bristles, however, aren’t the same. Dogs’ teeth and gums are more sensitive than ours so the bristles are way softer. This type of dog toothbrush usually has an angled brush head, which helps you reach tricky areas inside the dog’s mouth.

The second popular type of dog toothbrush is the one that has dual or triple brush heads. These allow you to reach the teeth from all angles, which speeds up the whole tooth brushing process. That’s great for dogs who can’t stand having their teeth cleaned. These are great for medium and large dogs, while most models are too big for tiny pooches.

Finally, there are finger toothbrushes, which are easy to use. If your dog is intimidated by toothbrushing, these can be quite helpful. Finger brushes are made of silicone and are great for gum massaging. This makes them great for puppies, elderly dogs or those with gum diseases.

On another hand, if there’s the slightest possibility of your dog giving you a little bite for sticking your finger inside the mouth, this type of toothbrush can be a risky choice. Plus, if your dog can’t stay still during toothbrushing, there’s a possibility the finger brush slips off your finger and into the dog’s mouth. What a recipe for disaster. That is why we made sure to add a type of finger brush that may reduce this hazard into our list for piece of mind.

The Size Of The Brush Head

Picking the toothbrush of an appropriate size is especially important when it comes to small dogs. The toothbrush is supposed to reach all the areas around the teeth, so if you own a tiny pooch, get a tiny brush. Likewise, use a large toothbrush for large dogs.

With that being said, our panel of experts learnt that 360-degree toothbrushes can work on both small and large pooches, since the bristles are always touching the teeth. Furthermore, there are double-ended toothbrushes that have both a smaller and a larger head.

The Bristles

As we previously mentioned, dogs’ toothbrushes are softer than the ones we use. The bristles have to be gentle not to hurt their gums, yet still hard enough to remove plaque and tartar. When buying a dog toothbrush for the first time, go for one with bristles softer than those on a baby toothbrush.

The Handle

If you opt for a finger brush, that means that sticking your hand inside your dog’s mouth isn’t an issue. For everyone else, there are dog toothbrushes with handles. One thing to keep in mind is the shorter the handle, the more control you have. Furthermore, ergonomic rubber handles are less likely to slip from your hand if your dog starts moving around.

Related: How To Clean Your Dog's Teeth

My Final Verdict

Toothbrushes, like many other things, aren’t one size fits all. We’re picky when choosing a toothbrush for ourselves, so why should our dogs be any different? As you’ve seen, there are different types of dog toothbrushes, and each of them has its pros and cons. Choosing the right one for your pooch is difficult, yet important.

However, there are toothbrushes on the market that our team of independent experts realised are better than most. The triple-headed toothbrush from Vet’s Best is fantastic for adult dogs of all sizes. The unique design surrounds the teeth, effectively cleaning them from all angles. The bristles are gentle to the gums but strong enough to remove the tartar buildup.

However, for dogs with sensitive gums, like puppies and elderly pooches, we think this toothbrush can be too hard. In that case, the Bamboo Charcoal toothbrush from Petdentist is a better choice. It’s super gentle and thanks to the charcoal, it removes bacteria, plaque and keeps your dog’s breath fresh.

References

1. Kester, S. September 29, 2020. “Do Charcoal Toothbrushes Work?”. Healthline. Retrieved October 30, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/do-charcoal-toothbrushes-work
2. Diener, M. Ocotber 28, 2021. "Dog Dental Care: 6 Ways to Keep a Dog's Mouth Clean". PetMD. Retrieved October 30, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/dog-dental-care-6-ways-keep-dogs-mouth-clean
3. Fries, W. September 27, 2012. “The Perils of Gum Disease in Dogs”. Fetch by WebMD. Retrieved October 30, 2023. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/perlis-gum-disease-dogs#1
4. “5 Scary Consequences of Neglecting Your Dog’s Teeth”. December 3, 2019. PetMD. Retrieved October 30, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/5-scary-consequences-neglecting-your-dogs-teeth
5. Vogelsang, J. November 25, 2019. “How to Clean a Dog’s Teeth: Tools and Tips.” PetMD. Retrieved October 30, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/grooming/what-best-way-clean-my-dogs-teeth