Commercial dog toothpastes are safe and effective, but they’re not the only option. If you’ve run out, want a natural alternative, or are curious whether you can make something at home that actually works, here’s a practical guide to homemade dog toothpaste — including recipes that are safe, recipes that aren’t worth it, and the few ingredients you should never use.
Why You Can’t Use Human Toothpaste on Dogs
Before getting into what you can use, it’s important to understand why standard human toothpaste is off the table:
- Xylitol — a sweetener in many whitening and fluoride toothpastes, xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause rapid, potentially fatal blood sugar drops and liver damage.
- Fluoride — while beneficial for human teeth, fluoride is toxic to dogs when swallowed in quantity. Since dogs can’t rinse and spit, any toothpaste used on dogs must be safe for ingestion.
- Detergents (SLS) — sodium lauryl sulfate is a foaming agent in most human toothpastes. Dogs can’t spit and will swallow it, which causes stomach upset.
The rule: anything used to brush a dog’s teeth must be safe to swallow. All homemade and commercial dog toothpastes are formulated with this in mind.
Homemade Dog Toothpaste Recipes
These are the safest and most effective DIY options, using ingredients most dog owners already have.
Recipe 1: Coconut Oil + Baking Soda (Best All-Purpose)
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil (solid or melted)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Optional: a small pinch of cinnamon or a few drops of beef/chicken broth for flavor
How to make: Mix together until you have a paste consistency. If the coconut oil is solid, warm it slightly. Store in a small jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Why it works: Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties against the bacteria (especially Streptococcus mutans) that form dental plaque. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a mild abrasive that helps mechanically remove plaque and neutralizes the acidic environment that bacteria thrive in. Together, they form a functional antibacterial + mild abrasive toothpaste.
Effectiveness rating: Moderate. Not as effective as VOHC-approved enzymatic toothpastes, but genuinely better than no brushing at all.
Recipe 2: Coconut Oil + Turmeric (Anti-Inflammatory)
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- Small pinch of sea salt (optional)
How to make: Mix until combined. Turmeric will turn the mixture yellow — this is normal and may slightly stain a light-colored muzzle temporarily. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Why it works: Turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, has documented anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Some preliminary research suggests it may help with gum inflammation (gingivitis). Sea salt provides mild abrasive and antibacterial action. This recipe is a reasonable option for dogs with mild gingivitis.
Caveat: Turmeric can stain light-colored fur around the mouth — apply carefully and wipe away residue.
Recipe 3: Beef Broth + Baking Soda (Best for Taste-Sensitive Dogs)
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium beef or chicken broth (no onion, no garlic — both are toxic to dogs)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
How to make: Stir together until baking soda dissolves. This makes a thinner paste/liquid — apply it on a soft brush or dental wipe rather than trying to apply from a tube.
Why it works: The primary benefit here is palatability — the broth flavor makes it easy to introduce dogs to tooth brushing. The baking soda provides mild abrasive and neutralizing action. This recipe is best for introducing brushing to a resistant dog; upgrade to a more effective recipe once the habit is established.
Recipe 4: Coconut Oil Only (Simplest Option)
If you have nothing else available, plain virgin coconut oil on a toothbrush is better than nothing. Let the dog lick it off the brush first to build a positive association, then gently brush the outer surface of the teeth. The lauric acid provides antibacterial action and most dogs like the taste.
Ingredients to Avoid in Homemade Dog Toothpaste
Not everything “natural” is safe for dogs. Avoid these in any homemade dental product:
- Xylitol — toxic; even small amounts can be fatal
- Fluoride — toxic when swallowed repeatedly
- Peppermint essential oil — often used in human dental products; concentrated peppermint oil can be toxic to dogs and cause GI upset, even in small amounts. Avoid in DIY recipes.
- Tea tree oil — toxic to dogs; never use in anything a dog might ingest
- Hydrogen peroxide — sometimes suggested online as a “whitening” agent; bleaching agents should not be used on dogs’ teeth and peroxide can be harmful if swallowed
- Garlic or onion — found in some “savory” broth-based recipes online; both are toxic to dogs
- Baking powder — sometimes confused with baking soda; contains cream of tartar and other additives; use plain baking soda only
- Large amounts of salt — a pinch is fine, but high-sodium recipes can be harmful, especially for dogs with heart or kidney conditions
Do Homemade Toothpastes Work as Well as Commercial Options?
Honestly, no — not quite. Commercial dog toothpastes, particularly those with the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of acceptance, contain enzyme systems specifically designed to break down bacterial biofilm on tooth surfaces. The enzyme system in products like Virbac C.E.T. toothpaste (glucose oxidase + lactoperoxidase) is clinically validated and more effective than coconut oil and baking soda at reducing plaque.
That said, homemade paste with consistent daily brushing will outperform a commercial paste used occasionally. The mechanical action of the brush on the tooth surface is doing most of the work — the toothpaste is a helpful addition, not the main event.
For a comparison of the best commercial options — including which ones carry the VOHC seal — see: Best Dog Toothpaste (2026): Reviewed & Ranked.
How to Use Homemade Toothpaste to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
The paste is only as effective as the brushing technique. Key points:
- Use a soft-bristled dog toothbrush or a finger brush
- Apply a pea-sized amount to the brush
- Brush in small circular or back-and-forth motions along the gumline
- Focus on the outer (cheek-facing) surfaces of the back teeth — the carnassial premolars and molars accumulate the most plaque
- Aim for 30 seconds per side; a full mouth brush is ideal but even 30 seconds total is meaningful
- Daily brushing is the goal; 3–4 times per week produces measurable results
For a full step-by-step guide including how to get a resistant dog comfortable with brushing, see: How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth the Right Way.
When Homemade Toothpaste Is the Wrong Tool
If your dog already has visible tartar buildup (brown/yellow crust on teeth near the gumline), homemade toothpaste won’t solve it. Tartar is mineralized and adheres to the tooth — no paste, homemade or commercial, can remove it. Tartar requires professional scaling under anesthesia.
Once a vet cleaning has removed the existing tartar, daily brushing with any of these homemade options will significantly slow its return. Think of brushing as maintenance after a professional cleaning, not a cure for established disease.
For signs that your dog needs a professional cleaning before home care can be effective, see: Signs Your Dog Needs a Professional Teeth Cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Dog Toothpaste
Is baking soda safe for dog teeth?
Yes, in small amounts. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a mild abrasive that helps remove plaque and neutralizes the acidic oral environment bacteria thrive in. A small amount (¼–½ teaspoon in a paste) is safe for dogs. Avoid large quantities, and don’t use baking powder, which contains additional compounds.
Can I use coconut oil alone to brush my dog’s teeth?
Yes. Plain virgin coconut oil on a toothbrush is a safe and reasonably effective option. The lauric acid in coconut oil has antibacterial properties. Most dogs readily accept the taste, which makes it a good introductory option. Add baking soda for more abrasive action once your dog is comfortable with brushing.
How long does homemade dog toothpaste last?
Homemade pastes without preservatives should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and used within 1–2 weeks. If the paste develops any off smell or appearance, discard and make a fresh batch. Water-based recipes (broth + baking soda) last only 3–5 days refrigerated.
My dog won’t let me brush — can I just put the paste in their food?
Adding coconut oil or turmeric to food may have minor oral health benefits, but it bypasses the mechanical action of brushing, which is what actually removes plaque. If your dog won’t tolerate a toothbrush, try a finger brush, dental wipes, or a dental spray as alternatives that still get product onto tooth surfaces.
Is peppermint oil safe to add for fresh breath?
No. Concentrated peppermint essential oil is not safe for dogs and can cause GI upset and neurological symptoms. The “fresh breath” effect from peppermint in human dental products comes from essential oil concentrations that are not safe for dogs to ingest. Omit it from homemade recipes.
Related reading: coconut oil for dog teeth