Best Dental Water Additive for Dogs

It’s not a secret that pets are a lot of responsibility, particularly when it comes to maintaining their health.

We need to take them to regular checkups at the veterinarian, serve them healthy and nutritious food and give them access to plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

Even the most conscientious pet owners, however, can easily overlook their dog’s teeth.

But the truth is, good oral hygiene is just as important for our dogs’ overall health and longevity, and one of the easiest ways to achieve this is via the use of a dental water additive.

Below are some of our personal favorites.

Best Dental Water Additive for Dogs

1. Arm and Hammer Dog Dental Care Water Additive

This dental water additive uses the power of baking soda to freshen your dog’s breath and clean his mouth each time he drinks.

Free of any odor or flavor, it helps reduce the likelihood of tartar and plaque build-up and works for up to 24 hours combatting bad breath and bacteria. It also helps to gently whiten the teeth and soothe sensitive gums.

All you need to do is just add one capful per 8 ounces of water – chanced are your dog won’t even know it’s there.

2. Oxyfresh Premium Pet Dental Water Additive

This dental water additive utilizes an ingredient called Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide, which acts almost instantaneously to freshen your dog’s breath and combat periodontal disease.

With the help of Zinc Acetate and Sodium Citrate, it can eliminate the growth of bacteria and remove tartar and plaque build-up from your pet’s teeth while strengthening the gum tissue.

In addition, it has no odor, color or taste, so it’s very easy to use. Simply add a capful to your dog’s water dish and let the rest take care of itself.

Recommended by veterinarians, Oxyfresh is made in the USA and has no artificial sweeteners or alcohol and is completely non-toxic and safe for everyday use.

3. Petdentist Dental Care Water Additive

This dental water additive is the collaboration of dentists and veterinarians. It contains only all-natural ingredients including green tea (no caffeine) and aloe vera (no aloin) and doesn’t contain alcohol.

It’s also a great bad breath treatment and it helps to prevent tooth decay and gum disease in dogs by reducing bacteria, tartar and plaque build-up.

Particularly for dogs who hate having their teeth brushed, this is a lifesaver, as you can add it to their water dish and walk away to let it work its magic.

4. Pet King Brands Zymox Water Additive

This dental water additive is specifically designed to improve your dog’s oral health and keep his teeth clean without having to brush them. Plus, it doesn’t have any taste, so dogs will happily drink their water.

It contains enzymes and Zinc Chloride to help prevent the build-up of tartar and plaque, and it can also combat harmful microbes, such as MRSA and staph.

Additionally, it assists with freshening breath and doesn’t contain xylitol, alcohol or chlorhexidine, which makes it safe to use every day as long as you follow the instructions.

All Zymox products are proudly made in the USA!

5. Pets Are Kids Too Premium Pet Dental Spray

BEST PICK

This is actually a dental spray and a dental water additive in one product. It’s made of all-natural ingredients like aloe vera (without the latex), peppermint, spearmint, baking soda and stevia.

It also contains enzymes that can help reduce tartar and plaque build-up and eliminate the bacteria responsible for bad breath. And the best thing? It has a natural, cool mint flavor that dogs love!

Made in the USA, there’s no alcohol or other toxic substances inside. When needed, you can simply spray it into your dog’s water bowl or along his gums and teeth.

6. TropiClean Fresh Breath Water Additive

This dental water additive isn’t only designed to combat bad breath, it also provides you with an alternative to tooth brushing to help keep your dog’s gums and teeth healthy.

In fact, most consumers reported that their dog displayed noticeably better breath after just two weeks of use!

With a unique blend of natural, toxin-free ingredients (green tea included), it should provide a defense against plaque and tartar for up to 12 hours at a time.

Also, since it has no odor, xylitol or other artificial sweeteners, you can easily measure out a small amount into your dog’s water dish.

There are even different formulas available, including one that offers skin and coat support, and another that helps promote hip and joint health, all made in the USA.

7. Zesty Paws Water Additive for Dogs

This 3 in 1 dental water additive contains digestive enzymes and prebiotic, which not only help to soothe upset stomachs and prevent gas and indigestion, but also with reducing joint inflammation and swelling.

Of course, it can also freshen your dog’s bad breath as it has baking soda in it to remove tartar and plaque, as well as aloe vera to promote healthy bacteria.

For best results, add it to Fido’s water bowl right after he eats!

As an added bonus, the product uses spearmint instead of peppermint, which is better for your dog, and all of their supplements are certified in the USA.

Why Do Dogs Need a Dental Water Additive?

Similar to mouthwashes for humans, a dental water additive is used to boost your dog’s dental hygiene.

This is an important part of his health regime, as the bacteria that builds up from poor dental care can enter your pup’s bloodstream, which may result in potentially fatal damage to the heart, liver and kidneys.

If your dog is over three years old, chances are he may already show signs of periodontal disease, such as:

• bad breath
• yellow teeth
• swollen or bleeding gums
• excessive drooling
• and difficulty eating

However, dental water additives not only prevent bacteria build-up in your dog’s mouth, but they can also eliminate any bacteria in his water bowl.

And while it may take some time, when used daily, they can help reduce plaque and tartar build-up and maintain fresh breath, all without a single toothbrush.

That said, it’s important to remember that these products do not replace good teeth brushing a few times a week.

Are Dental Water Additives Safe for Dogs?

With a few caveats, dental water additives are perfectly safe for dogs (as long as they’re used according to the directions).

Of course, you want to pay close attention to the ingredients and try to avoid anything with xylitol, an artificial sweetener that’s extremely toxic to dogs when ingested.

Instead, opt for a product that contains either honey, stevia or no sweeteners at all.

In case it has aloe vera in it, make sure it doesn’t contain aloin/aloe latex, which is the part that can cause diarrhea. Also, if your dog has a sensitive stomach, it’s a good idea to avoid anything with peppermint.

What Else to Look for in a Dental Water Additive?

Be sure you’re selecting a water additive that’s formulated with your dog in mind, as human mouthwashes contain much different ingredients.

Besides xylitol, you want to avoid anything with artificial colors (for example, Blue 1 and Yellow 5), harsh preservatives (including parabens and ETDA) and foaming agents (like Sodium lauryl sulfate).

Also, look for something that’s at least mostly favorably reviewed by other pet owners.

If possible, it’s always great to find a dental water additive for dogs with some sort of satisfaction guarantee, so you won’t be out of your money in case it makes your dog uncomfortable.