The Role Of Diet & Natural Supplements In Preventing Dental Disease In Dogs

A brown and white dog lies in the grass with its face close to a container of Canident dental health supplement. Text overlay reads: “A Healthier Mouth Starts in the Bowl.”

Diet and supplements can help control plaque and tartar, but they do not replace brushing, vet checks or professional cleaning. The best-evidenced supplement so far is seaweed powder made from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum, and the best-evidenced diets and chews carry the seal of the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). This page covers what helps, what does not, and how to use our dental products.

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Signs of dental problems

See your vet if your dog has:

  • bad breath that does not go away
  • red, swollen or bleeding gums
  • excessive drooling, or pawing at the mouth or face
  • trouble eating, dropping food, or chewing on one side
  • loose or missing teeth
  • yellow or brown tartar on the teeth

Dogs often keep eating despite dental pain, so a dog that is still eating is not necessarily comfortable. Periodontal disease starts with plaque and tartar, causes gum inflammation and infection, and can end in tooth loss. Untreated infection in the mouth can also spread to other parts of the body. Regular vet check-ups and professional cleanings matter, and no supplement replaces them.

Close-up of a dog's teeth and gums, showing clean, white teeth and healthy pink gums

What diet can and cannot do

Crunchy kibble does not clean teeth the way brushing does. Veterinary dental experts note that kibble and wet food both contribute to plaque, and that kibble tends to fragment on contact instead of scrubbing the tooth surface. Some dry diets and chews are designed to remove plaque and have been tested for it. Look for the VOHC seal, and check the current list at vohc.org.

A complete and balanced diet is the base of good health, but food alone will not keep a dog's teeth clean.

Bones and hard chews

We do not recommend bones as a dental aid. Veterinary dentists see fractured teeth from bones, both cooked and raw, and from antlers, cow hooves, hard nylon chews and similar products. A widely used rule is to offer only chews that you can indent with a fingernail. Choose chews with a VOHC seal, and supervise your dog while it chews.

Natural supplements for dental health

What the research shows on seaweed

The best evidence is for powdered Ascophyllum nodosum. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 60 dogs, treats containing the seaweed reduced plaque, tartar and breath compounds over 90 days compared with placebo. A branded powder containing it also holds the VOHC seal. The dogs in these trials had a professional dental cleaning first, so they show that the seaweed helps control new plaque and tartar. They do not show that it removes tartar that is already there.

The trials tested one branded product. We are not aware of trials of our own blends, so we cannot promise the same results.

Our dental products

Borvo Nutrients Dental+ is 80% brown Irish seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) and 20% European-grown microalgae (Chlorella and Nannochloropsis). There is no dental trial for the microalgae part. You mix the powder into food, building up to the daily amount on the label.

Borvo Nutrients Dental+ supplement for dogs, a premium blend of seaweed and microalgae to fight plaque, tartar, and bad breath, with a product shot and text overlay

Canident is a powder made from three organic Irish brown seaweeds. It contains no enzymes. The daily amount is 0.5 to 1 scoop (2 g per scoop) for every 10 kg of body weight, mixed into food once a day. Start with less and build up.

Canident dental health supplement for dogs, with a happy Australian Shepherd in the background and text saying "Control plaque, naturally" alongside a call-to-action button

Borvo Nutrients Dental Health Spray is an alcohol extract of Irish Fucus seaweed with calendula and aloe vera extract. You spray it onto the teeth and gums once or twice a day, or onto food or water.

A banner for Borvo Nutrients Dental Health Spray for Dogs. The spray bottle is shown outdoors next to a dog’s paw. Text reads: “Remove a source of bad breath in as little as a few days,” and a pink button says “Learn More.” Benefits listed: Bad breath, Gum health, Plaque, Tartar.

For all three, allow up to 15 weeks to judge results. These products work alongside brushing and veterinary care, not in place of them.

Thyroid and seaweed cautions

Seaweed contains natural iodine, so these products are not recommended for dogs with thyroid problems. If you use other seaweed products as well, keep total seaweed below 5% of the feed. Ask your vet before starting if your dog has a health condition or takes medication.

A cartoon dog next to a tip that reads: “Did You Know? Consistency is more powerful than intensity when it comes to dental health. Even small, daily additions can have a big impact over time.”

Brushing still matters

Daily brushing is the most reliable home dental care for dogs. Supplements, dental diets and approved chews are extras that work alongside it, and none of them replaces a professional exam and cleaning when your vet recommends one.

Starting a new supplement

Start with a small amount and build up to the recommended daily amount over a few days, so your dog's digestion can adjust. Watch for changes in appetite, stool or behaviour. If you see any, stop and speak to your vet. Also check your dog's gums and breath over the following weeks, and tell your vet at the next check-up what you are using.

Close-up of brown seaweed with air bladders, highlighting the natural texture and structure of marine algae