K9 Instinct Blog

Homemade Dog Toothpaste Recipe

10/23/2014

Oral health is of vital importance for our dogs, especially for seniors. Dental disease can cause secondary infections in the blood, a weakened immune system, susceptibility to disease and illness as well as tooth decay and loss.

Human toothpaste is dangerous for dogs and contains ingredients that can make them ill and cause issues with their kidneys and liver. Toothpaste for dogs that you can buy at pet stores can be expensive and may contain questionable ingredients and chemical additives.

A homemade toothpaste is a healthy, safe herbal mixture that has plenty of health benefits and no junk or dangerous chemicals!

Let's discuss the benefits of the ingredients and how they work to promote dental health.

Coconut oil: Unrefined, virgin coconut oil is a highly digestible healthy fat that improves absorption of the other ingredients, also acting as the base for this toothpaste recipe. Coconut oil is antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and is also a powerful deodorizer and can eliminate bad breath immediately.
Turmeric: Turmeric is a natural, safe way to whiten teeth. It is also antimicrobial and antibacterial, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. The antioxidants present in turmeric are also highly beneficial. Turmeric will also help prevent plaque build up.

Parsley: Parsley acts as a mineral rich deodorizer that is also antibacterial. Parsley is also known to be anti-inflammatory and has the right vitamin and mineral mix to promote general dental health.
Kelp: Kelp promotes plaque removal while supplying the mouth and body with chlorophyll and minerals. It is also antibacterial!

Homemade Dog Toothpaste Recipe:

1 cup of unrefined, virgin coconut oil.
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric.
1/2 teaspoon of kelp.
1/8th tablespoon of dried parsley flakes.

Place one cup of coconut oil in a hot water bath to make it soft and pliable. (Unless it already is!)
Add the turmeric, kelp and parsley flakes.
Mix thoroughly, store in fridge between uses.

It is ideal to use a very soft bristle toothbrush or a finger brush for your dogs. Rub the teeth gently and massage the gums lightly. Make sure this toothpaste is slightly warm (Do not microwave or cook this toothpaste in any way, as that will kill enzymes and nutrients. To soften it, simply place it in a warm water bath before using) so that it is soft enough to use.

For dogs who need intensive dental cleaning, it is ideal to brush their teeth every day for a week then switch to every other day. For dogs who just need maintenance you can brush two or three times a week.

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58 Comments

MarIa

11/24/2014 02:39:15 pm

Thanks for the recipe. Where may I purchase kelp?

Anna

12/23/2014 09:36:32 am

I found kelp powder at our health food store…..then I found organic kelp granules (dried kelp?) on Amazon that I may order. I made the toothpaste w/o kelp and have been using for 4 days on our boys teeth (horrible teeth, breathe). I see a definite improvement already.

Cheryl

11/24/2014 08:07:28 pm

Hi I read your recipe for coconut oil toothpaste. I have never been successful in brushing my dogs teeth. But never to late to start! When using this you brush the teeth and then how do you get it off as it does not say how to rinse or get if off? Thanks.

Kay link

11/24/2014 10:12:13 pm

You actually don't need to rinse it.
The whole deal about people toothpaste and dog tooth paste is that dogs don't expectorate and rinse. If you'd swallow the toothpaste you use on a regular base, it wouldn't bee healthy. E.g. special formulated kids toothpaste as they are prone to swallow it, especially since it tastes of fruit drops.
Now dog toothpaste is supped to be harmless and can be swallowed. The toothpaste here is even better since it is made of all natural ingredients which are fine for ingestion.

Cheryl

11/24/2014 10:59:08 pm

Thank you that sounds great. Any tips on the actual brushing for a stubborn dog! Who won't let you open her mouth or put any kind of treatment on her. She's my special girl though! Love her too bits!

Cindy

4/3/2015 12:04:02 am

Cheryl- I once went to a K-9 dental surgeon specialist and she told me how to get started brushing your dog's teeth. Baby steps! A few minutes max in the beginning. Lots of really good small rewards. Use a finger or gauze at first. With paste, rub a little on a tooth or two, give a reward. Try again. Then try later. Slowly work up to all teeth, try a brush next. Keep it fun, positive, and keep it up. This works! Hope this helps.

darlene

2/20/2016 07:05:13 pm

Thanks for the info I will use this on them. I have four chi's

doglover245 link

12/13/2017 01:51:21 am

actually you have to start at 6months for brushing teeth

Marite

11/24/2014 11:44:46 pm

Where I can buy Kelp

Caroline Bartley, DC link

12/20/2014 01:15:39 am

Norwegian Kelp Products has an excellent source of kelp and a combination of kelp and supplements for people & animals. Can order on online from them or through my office via web site. Good luck!

Kim

11/25/2014 11:17:56 am

Great recipe. Having trouble finding kelp (except in pill form). Any suggestions?

Jenn N

11/25/2014 09:44:13 pm

Any health food store can get powdered kelp for you.

Alison

3/31/2015 07:02:53 am

I found kelp powder at our Earth Fare store on the aisle with salt and other seasonings. It can probably be purchased at Oriental markets as well.

Tracy Vittetoe

12/19/2014 08:24:46 pm

Having hard time finding the kelp. Can Spirulina be used instead?

Michele

1/8/2015 03:49:57 am

can you just use the coconut oil to brush. Are all ingredients needed?

Anna

1/8/2015 04:37:04 am

Hi Michele,
For our one dog who I don't want to use turmeric for (due to immune disorder) I use just coconut oil and parsley, seems to work good for her.

Lori

6/8/2015 11:19:28 am

Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory!

Lydia

1/8/2015 05:11:55 am

I use turmeric a lot myself as an anti-inflammatory .....but it makes all my kitchen utensils and counter yellow ...and is very difficult to get rid of unless I use chlorine ....so now i wonder if my dog's teeth will go permanently yellow as well.,,,,,,,can we skip the turmeric?

Anna

1/8/2015 05:44:57 am

I know what you mean w/turmeric, but it has not turned his teeth yellow! He had the worst teeth…..it has cleaned his teeth amazingly. I don't use it for our other dog, only the coconut oil and parsley. Good luck!

Darlene

1/8/2015 10:36:19 am

I keep a separate set of utensils, dishrags, etc, for turmeric, and the baking soda should prevent staining on the teeth from the turmeric..

maggie

1/9/2015 12:42:02 pm

Darlene and Angel, the use of baking soda was mentioned to use so that the numeric doesn't stain the dogs teeth. How should you use the baking soda? Is this safe for a dog? Or is using the paste as it is ok and it won't stain the dogs teeth? Thanks so much for the great info!

Anna

1/9/2015 10:24:47 pm

Maggie, I don't see (and don't use) baking soda in the ingredients listed above….it has worked very well for our dogs without it and their teeth haven't turned yellow even turmeric does stain fabric, ect.

Bekah

12/3/2018 10:03:01 am

Baking soda is bad for dogs and shouldn't be used. It it okay to use a little every once and a while but dogs teeth should be brushed every day. It's not healthy to have baking soda in dog toothpaste.

Maria

12/18/2015 07:35:09 pm

Consistently used with coconut oil, this toothpaste actually works for humans too. My toothpaste is ONLY coconut oil and turmeric. It's been whitening my teeth over time. Odd, but true.

Rosie agardi

1/11/2015 07:55:31 am

I have learned about home made toothpaste today, beautiful ,very handy and informative, thanks.

Donna

2/16/2015 01:25:06 am

Can I use just the coconut oil?

Francine

2/16/2015 02:54:10 am

My dog is allergic to coconut (and peanuts, mangoes, and all animal protein). Is there something else I could use?

Pollyanna

2/17/2015 06:58:47 pm

Francine, how did you find out exactly what food is your dog allergic to? Elimination diet or is there any other way? My chihuahua is getting more and more itchy and I am unable to find out what's causing it! He has no fleas.

Francine

2/17/2015 11:56:17 pm

Pollyanna, it was a lot of trial and error. When I was trying meat-based diets, I made sure to buy brands that had no wheat, corn or soy, as these are the biggest triggers. I tried "novel" proteins, like bison, venison, etc. I tried brands where all the ingredients (from meat to plants) were sourced locally. The one I found he had the least symptoms with was the kangaroo, but I still wasn't happy. I decided to try removing all animal protein from his diet; not just meat, but dairy and eggs as well. Success! Zeddicus is now on a vegan diet and thriving. As for the peanut butter, coconut and mango, I discovered these allergies when I was feeding some to him as a treat. Whenever I try a new food, I make sure that absolutely nothing else changes in his diet, so that if he has a reaction, I'll know it's the newly introduced food. It can be a long, long road to find the right diet for a dog with food allergies, but so rewarding when you finally get it right. Good luck!

Francine

3/31/2015 08:36:28 am

Pollyanna, sorry for taking so long to reply, I just noticed your comment now. I used an elimination diet to determine Zeddicus' main allergies (animal protein). Once he was stable, I introduced treats one at a time to see how/if he would react. This is how I discovered the allergies to peanuts, coconuts and mango. Itching is a common sign of food allergies. The best way to start is by getting a diet that has no wheat, soy or corn as these are common triggers for dogs with allergies. Chicken and beef can also be common triggers so try a diet with a single "unique" protein like venison, duck, or bison. Make sure it's something your dog has not tried before. Allergy testing at the vet is an option, but usually very costly so you should try an elimination diet first. Another option is to consult with an animal nutritionist you can give you a detailed game plan. Good luck!

Janet

3/31/2015 11:25:00 am

Your pet's Veterinarian can do a blood test for allergies. My dog's did and he is allergic to a lot of things. I cut them out of his diet about 8 years ago. Saved both of us a lot headaches over the years. He's 12 now, still very active.

alison

4/1/2015 03:50:48 pm

Hi, my miniature daxie who has allergies. Our vet did skin tests. mine is intolerant of protein, dust, grass and general ingredients found in normal dry & wet dog food. Try changing his/her food to a brand that make sensitive skin / digestion. keep away from meat protein. limit your dogs food intake to only dog food and no tit bits as the colorants and flavouants in food cause reactions in little dogs who have an intolerant digestive system. Good luck

Gwyn

5/11/2015 12:29:53 am

The vet can run allergy test on your dog. I had my Maltese check and now give him routine shots.

manndi

11/15/2015 07:44:12 pm

You should research yeast in dogs.

Sara Jane Welch

12/27/2016 01:11:21 am

I have had really good luck with what I call "Itchy Dog" (dogs that scratch a lot when they don't have fleas and for no other discernible reason) using the supplement L-Histadine. It's an amino acid, which I take myself as well as feeding it to my dog. It's available online. One company who makes it is Twin Labs and another type I got from the Swanson's catalogue online (for people supplements at great prices). Best of luck to you and your itchy dog.

Heather Bebee

6/9/2018 09:57:27 am

As for ITCHY DOGS: I recently discovered a miracle shampoo for dogs. It's called "Moosh", it's pricey but soooo worth it. It's all natural, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-everything but naturally and it's got a kind of clay in it, bentonite I think, that helps with itchiness and soothes skin. It smells good, earthy and it had rosemary and nutmeg in it. Try it!! All the reviews on Amazon (where I got it from) were really positive and it solved so many dogs' itching problems of all different causes. I paid $14 for a 12 ounce bottle but it's worth every penny!

Yolanda Salinas

2/16/2015 05:07:24 am

I'm not sure I understand the directions for warming the oil, "Place one cup of coconut oil in a hot water bath to make it soft." Please explain with detail.

Karen

2/16/2015 05:58:14 am

Place some coconut oil in a small dish and set it in a larger pan of warm/hot water and let it soften up. That would be a "hot water bath".

laura lee

2/16/2015 08:36:33 am

How long will the mixture last for in the refrigerator?

Lisa O'Brien

2/16/2015 11:14:07 am

I've noticed my westie's breathe has bad..I only feed dry food no table food expect chicken. Can I use only coconut oil and a tooth brush?

Donna

2/16/2015 09:45:06 pm

You can use just coconut oil but be sure to buy the solid kind. If it's pre liquified it has had freon ran through it as coconut oils natural state is solid unless the temperature is watm.

Laurel Kashinn

2/19/2015 12:15:10 pm

My Decker terrier, Rocket, has always enjoyed the enzymatic toothpaste I get at the pet store, particular the poultry or beef flavored. He'll actually come and wait his turn in the bathroom to get his teeth brushed. I wonder if you could mix in powdered dried liver for a more palatable taste. Maybe sprinkle it on just before brushing.

Patricia

2/26/2015 11:21:24 pm

can this be used on cats? How long does it keep?

Karen

5/10/2015 01:31:00 pm

question;
if i use turmeric in their food 1 x a day, is it still safe to brush teeth with it also? is it an overload? i dont want them to get sick. advice please. thanks
karen

dora

5/10/2015 10:37:55 pm

Unfortunately in Greece you cannot find kelp powder even at the stores with organic and healthy food.So can spirulina substitue kelp??

theodora nikolakopoulou

5/11/2015 11:20:19 pm

And another thing, why do we need to refrigerate ? And why can't we use it daily except if there is an intensive problem? I thought it would be good if I did it every day to my dog!

Elizabeth

6/8/2015 08:26:48 am

Can it be used as human toothpaste.

Brigid

6/23/2015 11:13:52 pm

I brush my teeth with turmeric and coconut oil.

flexdoc

6/8/2015 10:49:00 am

Most human toothpaste isnt so healthy for humans either.

Cassie

4/21/2017 10:39:23 pm

Can someone please let me know why this needs to be refrigerated? Also, how long before it goes bad. Thank you!

Julie Sparks link

5/18/2017 03:04:06 pm

The reason of refrigerating is so it isn't too runny if room temp his above 80 degrees. I use a small spoon or wood toothpick to take out what i need..I like to keep it out of frig.and as long as I don't double dip a dirty toothbrush it will last indefinitely. I also have a small dog so I only make 1/2 recipe and store in small jars. One out and refrigerate the other. It lasts pretty much forever. Also if it does liquifiy be sure and stir again as the ingredients will settle a bit and my pup thinks it tastes a bit strong and coughs. Otherwise it is an amazing recipe and works like a charm. Good Luck..

Maltichon

7/23/2017 11:07:42 am

Hi! Thanks for the info! I was looking for the healthy recipe for toothpaste without using baking soda. And I found it! Yay!
By the way, I was wondering if I can add some peppermint oil in this recipe for better smell. If it's okay, then how much would I mix it so that I don't overdose my dog?

Jaeseok

1/4/2018 09:09:29 pm

Doesn't the dyeing become to a toothbrush?
The turmeric and coconut oil ratio wonders.

laurence

3/6/2018 04:14:43 am

Hi there,
do you know of anywhere where i can purchase this tooth paste premade?

thanks

woofie

7/20/2018 09:43:23 pm

i’m going to get some kelp powder and make this for Prinny but also myself!! she has three really bad caked-up tartar teeth, will this help remove it?

Rachael Reed

9/26/2018 10:51:54 am

I bought kelp oil. There’s water and potassium in it is that okay?

Jen

9/26/2018 12:54:12 pm

Just a note of caution, I used this toothpaste recipe for my dog for a year. One day I noticed she was beginning to get “blue eyes”. I took her to see an ophthalmologist to find out what was going on. The doctor said that she didn’t have cataracts or any other issue but that I should try stopping the coconut oil because it is very high in fat and could be causing the blue eyes. We stopped immediately and after a few months I could see marked decrease in the bluish tint. The doctor warned that there isn’t enough scientific evidence that coconut oil is safe or effective and cautioned to stay away from it. I was trying to do what I thought was best for my baby but this wound up causing her a health issue. Please take from my experience what you will and do what you feel is best for your babies.

Jorge Durie link

9/14/2019 02:16:14 am

Many dog owners have the same problem of the dog allowing them to clean the teeth with a small brush. Do like the mix think it would be useful applying with a finger brush which I found more successful to use as long as you dogs does not bite.

Homemade Dog Toothpaste Recipe

Homemade Dog Toothpaste Recipe:

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