FAQs

Daily is the goal, because soft plaque builds up on the teeth every day and can start to harden within a day or two. If daily is not realistic, aim for at least three or four short sessions a week and keep each one calm and brief: thirty seconds of brushing the outer surfaces of the teeth, done regularly, does more good than an occasional long struggle. Use a pet toothpaste such as Petsmile and a soft pet toothbrush.

The same rule applies to cats: daily if you can, and at least every other day. Cats usually prefer very short sessions, so start with the toothpaste on your fingertip, then a few front teeth with a compact brush such as our bamboo pet toothbrush, and build up over a few weeks. Sit your cat on your lap facing away from you, keep your voice calm and finish with a treat or play.

You can start getting a puppy or kitten used to having its mouth handled as soon as it is weaned and settled at home, usually from about eight weeks. Begin with a finger and a little pet toothpaste rather than a brush. Adult teeth come through at around four to six months, and the gums can be sore while they do, so be gentle and ask your vet if your pet seems uncomfortable. Pets that learn tooth brushing young tend to accept it for life.

Break it into small steps and reward each one. Day 1 to 3: let your dog lick a little Petsmile toothpaste off your finger so the taste becomes a treat. Day 4 to 7: rub a little paste on the front teeth with your fingertip while gently lifting the lip. Week 2: put a pea-sized amount on a soft brush and let your dog lick it off the bristles, then brush two or three teeth and stop. Keep sessions under a minute, never force the mouth open, and brush the outer surfaces only, because the tongue does most of the work on the inside. If your dog refuses the flavour altogether, our 30-day taste guarantee covers the tube.

Choose a quiet moment when your cat is relaxed, sit it on your lap facing away from you, and keep the first sessions to a few seconds. Start with Petsmile toothpaste on your fingertip, then move to a small, soft brush: our bamboo toothbrush has a compact head that suits cats. Lift the lip at the side of the mouth and brush the outer surfaces of the back teeth with short, gentle strokes. Stop before your cat objects, praise it, and try again the next day. Most cats accept brushing within two to four weeks of patient practice.

For cats, puppies and small dogs, use a brush with a small head and soft filaments, such as the Petdentist bamboo pet toothbrush, which comes with a travel case. For medium, large and giant breeds, the Petdentist large breed dog toothbrush has a longer neck and non-slip handle, so you can reach the upper back teeth under the lip while keeping a steady angle. Both have soft, charcoal-infused filaments. Whichever brush you use, rinse it after brushing, let it dry upright and replace it every three months or sooner if the filaments splay.

No. Human toothpaste is made to be spat out, while pets swallow it, and many human toothpastes contain fluoride, foaming agents or xylitol, which are harmful to dogs and cats. Bicarbonate of soda is not designed for pets either: it tastes unpleasant to most animals, which sets your training back, and it is not meant to be swallowed in quantity. Always use a toothpaste made for pets. Petsmile is formulated to be swallowed and its declared ingredients contain no fluoride, no xylitol and no sodium lauryl sulfate.

No. Pet toothpaste is designed to be swallowed, so there is nothing to rinse, and the manufacturer's directions for Petsmile do not require a waiting period before eating or drinking. Many owners brush just before a meal or a walk so the routine ends with something the pet enjoys.

Yes, and it is the best way to start. Petsmile can be applied directly to the teeth with a fingertip and the manufacturer describes it as a no-brush formula, because the tongue spreads it around the mouth. Once your pet accepts the taste, we recommend moving to a soft brush, because brushing adds the mechanical cleaning along the gum line that paste on its own cannot provide.

It is never too late to start a daily routine, but older pets often already have hardened tartar or sore gums, and a toothbrush cannot remove tartar that has set. Book a check-up with your vet first so that any existing problems are dealt with professionally, then begin home brushing on a clean mouth using the same gradual steps as for a puppy or kitten. Be patient: an older pet may need a few extra weeks to accept the brush.

The most common cause of bad breath in dogs and cats is a build-up of plaque and food debris on the teeth and gums, which daily brushing with a pet toothpaste helps to keep in check. Bad breath can also come from food stuck in the mouth, from something your pet has eaten, or from a problem elsewhere in the body. Our products are non-medicinal daily-care products and do not treat dental disease, so if the smell is persistent, or you notice red or bleeding gums, dribbling, pawing at the mouth or going off food, please have your pet checked by a vet.

Home brushing is for keeping a healthy mouth clean. See your vet if you notice persistent bad breath, red, swollen or bleeding gums, loose, broken or discoloured teeth, visible heavy brown tartar, drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side, pawing at the mouth, swelling of the face, or any reluctance to eat or to be touched around the mouth. Nothing on this website is veterinary advice, and Petdentist products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste is a pet toothpaste made in the USA by the makers of Supersmile. Its cleaning ingredient is Calprox, a form of calcium peroxide, rather than enzymes, and it comes in three flavours that dogs and cats tend to enjoy: London Broil (beef), Rotisserie Chicken and Say Cheese. It can be brushed on or, to begin with, applied with a fingertip. Petsmile holds the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance for plaque control in dogs. Petdentist sells Petsmile in the UK, dispatched from our Northampton fulfilment centre.

Yes. Petsmile is VOHC Accepted (people often search for "VOHC approved", but the correct term is Accepted): it appears on the Veterinary Oral Health Council's list of accepted products for plaque control in dogs, with the seal awarded in 2011. The VOHC is an independent body of veterinary dental specialists that reviews manufacturers' trial data before awarding its seal. The seal applies to dogs, and it is a voluntary scheme rather than a veterinary or medicinal approval. The manufacturer markets the toothpaste for both dogs and cats.

Petsmile is made for pets, so it is designed to be swallowed rather than spat out. Its declared ingredients contain no fluoride, no xylitol and no sodium lauryl sulfate, and the manufacturer states it is free from silica, microbeads, triclosan and diethanolamine. Use a pea-sized amount, keep the tube out of reach of children and pets, and check the ingredient list printed on the tube if your pet has a known sensitivity.

No xylitol and no fluoride: neither appears in the manufacturer's declared ingredient list, which is water, glycerin, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, Calprox (calcium peroxide), flavour, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, urea peroxide, citric acid, phosphoric acid, sodium benzoate, EDTA, cetyl pyridinium chloride, carbomer, potassium hydroxide and xanthan gum. It is not an enzymatic toothpaste; its cleaning action is based on Calprox. Formulations can change, so always check the tube you receive.

Use a pea-sized amount once or twice a day on the outer surfaces of the teeth, following the directions printed on the tube. Each tube holds 4.2 oz (119 g). With daily use, a single-dog household usually finds a tube lasts one to two months; cats and small dogs use less. Buying two or three tubes at once gives you a lower price per tube.

All three flavours use the same formula, so choose by taste. London Broil is a beef flavour that most dogs take to immediately; Rotisserie Chicken and Say Cheese are milder and are the two we suggest trying first for cats and fussier dogs. If your pet refuses the flavour you chose, our 30-day taste guarantee lets you swap it for another flavour or get a refund on that tube, even if it has been opened.

Yes. Once a puppy or kitten is weaned and eating solid food you can introduce Petsmile by letting it lick a little off your finger, which also gets it used to having its mouth touched. Go gently while the adult teeth are coming through and ask your vet if the gums look sore. Keep the tube out of reach so your pet cannot help itself.

Yes. The formula is the same for dogs and cats, so a multi-pet household can share a tube. Give each pet its own toothbrush, and wipe the nozzle between uses.

If your dog or cat refuses Petsmile toothpaste, email info@petdentist.co.uk within 30 days of delivery with your order number and a photo of the tube and we will refund the price of that tube, even if it has been opened, or swap it for another flavour. One tube per household.

Petdentist sells Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste in the UK in all three flavours, singly, in packs of two or three tubes, and in the Pet Dental Duo Kit with a bamboo toothbrush. Orders are dispatched from our fulfilment centre in Northampton, prices are in pounds, delivery is free on orders of £35 or more and there are no customs charges.

The Petdentist bamboo pet toothbrush has a handle made from bamboo, a fast-growing plant that needs no plastic, with soft charcoal-infused filaments and a bamboo travel case. It suits cats and small to medium dogs. To keep it hygienic, rinse it after every use, shake it dry and stand it upright; let it dry fully before closing it in the case, and replace it every three months.

The bamboo toothbrush has a compact head for cats, puppies and small dogs. The large breed dog toothbrush has a longer neck that reaches the upper back teeth of medium, large and giant dogs, soft rounded charcoal-infused filaments and a non-slip rubber-ribbed handle so you can hold a steady 45-degree angle to the gum line. Multi-pet homes often keep one of each.

No. Chewing a textured toy such as our tyre rope flosser gives teeth and gums something to work on and keeps a dog busy, and you can smear pet toothpaste in the grooves, but it does not replace the mechanical cleaning of brushing along the gum line. Think of chew toys as play and enrichment that sits alongside daily brushing. Always supervise play and discard a toy that cracks or frays.

Petdentist probiotic powders are complementary feeds: powders you add to your pet's normal food. The 90 g powder for dogs and cats contains 17 strains of live microorganisms, 73 billion CFU per 3 g serving, and helps maintain a balanced gut and supports normal digestion as part of the daily diet. They are not veterinary medicines and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

For the 90 g probiotic powder, the daily serving with the scoop provided is: cats of all sizes, 1 scoop (3 g); dogs up to 7 kg, half a scoop (1.5 g); dogs 7 to 17 kg, 1 scoop (3 g); dogs 18 to 40 kg, 2 scoops (6 g); dogs over 40 kg, 2 to 3 scoops (6 to 9 g). Sprinkle it over food or stir it into water once a day, introduce it gradually over the first three or four days starting with half the serving, and always have fresh water available. The 500 g High Fibre powder for dogs has its own serving table on the pack and the product page.

No. Store it below 30°C in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly closed. The 90 g tub holds 30 servings of 3 g.

The 90 g powder is for dogs and cats and is built around 17 live strains at 73 billion CFU per serving in a neutral base. The 500 g High Fibre powder is for dogs only and is made in the UK: it combines 45.2% crude fibre from oat bran, alfalfa, beetroot, wheat bran and flaxseed with the gut flora stabiliser Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415, inulin, vitamin C and coenzyme Q10. Choose the 90 g powder for cats or for a straightforward probiotic, and the High Fibre powder for a dog you also want to give more fibre. It contains oats and wheat.

It can be used alongside brushing, dental play and the rest of the Petdentist routine. If your pet is unwell, on medication or under veterinary care, ask your vet before adding any new feed or supplement to its diet.

A probiotic powder is a daily complementary feed rather than a treatment, so think of it as part of your pet's normal diet rather than something with a result to wait for. Introduce it gradually over the first few days and keep using it daily. If your pet has an upset stomach that does not settle, or any change in appetite, stop and speak to your vet.

The 90 g powder is fine and mild and most pets take it mixed into wet food or sprinkled over kibble with a splash of water. The High Fibre powder is a cereal-based powder that mixes best into wet food, raw food or kibble moistened with warm water.

We deliver to addresses in the United Kingdom only, including Northern Ireland and the Scottish Highlands and Islands, at the same rates. Orders are dispatched from our fulfilment centre in Northampton, usually within 1 to 2 working days, and delivery normally takes a further 2 to 4 working days. You will get an email with tracking (where available) when your order leaves the warehouse. We do not currently deliver to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Ireland or anywhere outside the UK.

Delivery is free on orders of £35 or more, and £5.95 (Royal Mail Tracked 48) on orders under £35. The charge is shown in your basket before you pay.

Yes. When your order leaves the Northampton warehouse you receive a dispatch email with a tracking link where the service provides one, and you can also use the Track Your Order link in the footer of this website.

Email info@petdentist.co.uk as soon as possible with your order number. If the order has not been dispatched we will change or cancel it. If it has, you can still cancel within 14 days of receiving it under your legal right to cancel, or use our 60-day returns promise for unused, unopened items.

You can cancel for any reason within 14 days of delivery, and you can return unused, unopened items for up to 60 days. For hygiene and food-safety reasons, toothpaste, probiotic powders and toothbrushes cannot be returned once opened unless they are faulty. Faulty, damaged or incorrect items are replaced or refunded in full and we pay the return postage. Full details are in our Returns & Refunds Policy.

Yes. Subscribe & Save takes 15% off every delivery of Petsmile toothpaste (every 4, 6 or 8 weeks), the 90 g probiotic powder (every 4 or 8 weeks), the 500 g high fibre probiotic powder (every 4 or 8 weeks) and the Pet Dental Duo Kit (every 6 or 8 weeks). Choose Subscribe & Save on the product page, pick your delivery frequency and check out as normal. You pay for each delivery as it comes round, and you can skip, pause or cancel at any time from your account. We also offer the Duo Kit (Petsmile toothpaste plus a bamboo toothbrush) at less than the price of buying the two separately, lower prices per tube when you buy two or three tubes of Petsmile, and multi-tub savings on the 90 g probiotic powder. There is no separate loyalty scheme yet; sign up to our emails at the bottom of the page to hear about new offers.

Pick Subscribe & Save on a product page, choose how often you want a delivery and check out as usual. Your card is charged for each delivery when it is due, at 15% off the one-time price, and free UK delivery applies to any order of £35 or more. We email you a reminder before each renewal, and every subscription order is dispatched from Northampton like any other order. A 119 g tube of Petsmile lasts most dogs and cats about five to six weeks of daily brushing, so every 6 weeks suits most households; the 90 g probiotic tub is 30 daily servings, so every 4 weeks keeps you topped up. There is no minimum term and no cancellation fee.

Sign in to your account (the person icon in the header), open Orders and use the Manage Subscription button. From there you can skip the next delivery, change the delivery date or frequency, swap flavour, update your address or payment card, pause, or cancel. You can cancel at any time after your first delivery. If you get stuck, email info@petdentist.co.uk and we will sort it for you within 2 working days.

Yes. Reviews are collected through the Loox reviews platform, mainly by inviting customers to review after their order has arrived. We publish them whether they are positive or negative, and we do not pay for positive reviews.

Petdentist was founded by Dr Deepak Songra BDS, a dental surgeon registered with the General Dental Council (GDC 68552) who has practised human dentistry for over 35 years. He is not a veterinary surgeon. He started Petdentist to bring the same simple principle he uses with patients, daily plaque control with the right tools, to dogs and cats, beginning with his own Cavapoo, Merlo.

Petdentist® is the trading name of Pet Dentist L.L.C-FZ, a company registered in the Meydan Free Zone, Dubai, founded by Dr Deepak Songra, a UK dental surgeon. Our UK stock is held and dispatched from Northampton, prices are in pounds sterling, there are no customs charges, and UK consumer law applies to every order.

No. Petsmile toothpaste is made in the USA by the makers of Supersmile. Petdentist is an independent UK pet dental care brand that sells Petsmile alongside its own Petdentist® toothbrushes, probiotic powders and chew toys.

No. Everything we sell is a non-medicinal daily-care product. Petsmile toothpaste is an oral hygiene product, our probiotic powders are complementary feeds for dogs and cats, and our brushes and chew toys are accessories. They help keep teeth clean, breath fresh and digestion normal as part of a daily routine. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and nothing on this website is veterinary advice. If you are worried about your pet's mouth or health, please see your vet.

Petsmile toothpaste, the bamboo toothbrush and the 90 g probiotic powder are for dogs and cats. The large breed toothbrush is for medium and large dogs, the High Fibre probiotic powder with CoQ10 is for dogs, and the tyre rope chew toy is for dogs. The product page always states the animal each product is for, and our For Dogs and For Cats collections group them for you.

Our products are designed for everyday use, but every pet is different. Introduce any new product gradually and supervise your pet with chew toys. If you notice a reaction such as an upset stomach, sore gums or a change in appetite, stop using the product and speak to your vet.

Email info@petdentist.co.uk and we will reply within 2 working days. Please include your order number if your message is about an order. Our UK correspondence and returns address is Petdentist, c/o The Parcel Store, Unit 1056 Moulton Park, Deer Park Road, Northampton NN3 6RX.