Your Shiba Inu’s dental health is just as important as its food quality, exercise, and grooming. It is part of your dog’s overall wellness and should not be neglected since the Shiba breed is more prone to dental problems. This is why it’s important to always know proper dental health for Shiba Inu.
Some dog owners tend to overlook dental health and are unaware of the risks that come with it. Just like humans, there are multiple oral diseases that dogs can acquire and if left untreated, can lead to bigger and more serious health conditions.
Your trusted veterinarian will most likely recommend an annual dental cleaning. For the months in between, there are a few things we can do at home to ensure optimal dental health.
Dental health for a Shiba Inu comes down to a small routine repeated often: brushing when you can, vet-approved dental chews between brushings, quality food, and a professional cleaning on the schedule your vet sets. The reason it matters is that Shibas run higher than average for gum disease, and the damage builds silently long before a dog acts uncomfortable. The trick with this breed is not the toothbrush itself but getting a stubborn dog to accept having its mouth handled, which is a training problem you solve slowly. None of this replaces your veterinarian, who is the only one who can scale below the gum line, take X-rays, and tell healthy from diseased. Home care buys time between those visits; it does not replace them.
The short version, in four parts:
- Brushing is the single most effective home tool, and even once or twice a week helps.
- VOHC-accepted dental chews slow plaque between brushings but do not replace them.
- Quality food supports dental health as one layer, not a cure.
- Annual vet exams and cleanings catch what home care cannot reach or reverse.
Brushing
The most effective and obvious way to prevent dental diseases and tooth decay is by brushing your Shiba’s teeth. Unfortunately, this is not the easiest thing to do. Most dogs hate the weird sensation that comes with it and this often gives owners a hard time, making toothbrushing a difficult task.
However, with positive training, it’s doable. Toothbrushing will remove and prevent plaque and tartar build-up. Everyday brushing is ideal but even once or twice a week can have notable benefits.
It’s important that you choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste. Dog-specific toothpaste is made with ingredients that are safe for dogs.
Quality Food
Another way to prevent dental disease from plaguing your Shiba Inu is by feeding him high-quality and healthy food. Packing the body with nutrients and essential vitamins, not only maintain your dog’s optimal health but also guarantees stronger and healthier teeth.
It is best to avoid dog food with ingredients like grains and by-products that are both unhealthy for your dogs and are ingredients that most likely stick to the teeth. Poor quality food increase plaque and tartar build-up and these keep your Shiba’s teeth from functioning to their full strength.
That’s why we recommend feeding your dog whole foods packed with natural ingredients. These contain enzymes and other vital supplements that help break down undesirable teeth build-up. However, just because you’ve been feeding your dog good food, doesn’t mean you should skip brushing or dental checkups.
Dental Chews
High-quality dental chews provide major dental benefits for your Shiba. They are specifically designed to effectively clean your Shiba’s teeth, just like how a toothbrush and toothpaste would.
While your Shiba chews on it, it scrapes off plaque and tartar. It also contains ingredients that prevent build-up and promotes fresher breath. What we appreciate most is dogs love dental chews since they are made to be a delicious treat and some are long-lasting so this keeps your dog’s mind occupied while they chew.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best dental chews that you’d want to try for your dogs!
Virbac C.E.T. VeggieDent Fr3sh Tartar Control Dog Chews
Virbac has a good reputation as an animal health pharmaceutical company and its C.E.T VeggieDent Fr3sh Tartar Control Dog Chews is, as expected, one of the best dog chews out in the market. You get a variety of sizes, from extra small to large chews, for different dog breeds. They are designed in a unique Z-shape that reaches different areas of your dog’s mouth.
These dog chews are plant-based with a short ingredient list that reduce tartar and plaque build-up. It doesn’t contain any gluten or animal-derived ingredients and even contains prebiotic that promote healthy digestion. It’s VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) approved.
Milk-Bone Brushing Chews Daily Dental Dog Treats
For the fur parents who are on a budget, the Milk-Bone Brushing Chews are great dental chews for your Shiba. They are of great value and come in big packages. They are VOHC-approved for tartar control but not for plaque and are available in mini, small/medium, and large sizes.
These brushing chews are designed to have ridges and nubs that help remove plaque and tartar build-up. The product claims to be fortified with calcium, vitamins, minerals and is void of any artificial flavors.
Greenies Senior Aging Care Natural Dental Dog Treats
Our lovable senior dogs don’t have the same teeth strength as their younger counterparts. Some dental chews can be too hard for them. This is why products like Greenies Senior Aging Care Natural Dental Dog Treats are very much appreciated by dog owners who have senior dogs.
These particular dental chews are designed for dogs aged 7 years old and above. They are 50% softer than the regular ones and are made with soluble, all-natural ingredients and packed with vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. They are VOHC-approved for the removal and control of both tartar and plaque.
Greenies Puppy Regular Dental Dog Treats
From the same brand that offered us one of the best dental chews for senior dogs (see above), they also have one for puppies! Greenies Puppy Regular Dental Dog Treats are formulated for dogs 6 months and older. They are 50% softer than standard Greenies’ chew and are VOHC-approved for plaque and tartar control.
They are designed with the classic shapes, with ridges on end for a more thorough clean and contain DHA and calcium to promote brain, teeth, jaw development for growing dogs. The formula is soluble and is suitable for puppies since they are easy to digest.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bones Grain-Free Dental Chews
For dogs who are allergic to grains or are on a grain-free diet, worry not for we have dental chews just for you! The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wild Bones Grain-Free Dental Chews both grain- and gluten-free chews that are also void of any chicken or poultry by-products, artificial preservatives, or artificial flavors. It is available in mini, small, medium, and large sizes for different dog breeds.
These chews help decrease tartar and plaque build-up and guarantee healthy gums and teeth. The main ingredients are potatoes and potato starch, which contains a higher number of calories per chew so adjust feeding accordingly. Keep in mind, these chews are not VOHC-approved.
Building a dental routine a stubborn Shiba will accept
The gear is the easy part. The hard part is a Shiba that treats a toothbrush as a personal insult. Build the routine in this order and you work with the breed instead of against it, so the habit sticks rather than blowing up into a weekly fight.
- Desensitize the muzzle before anything else. Spend a week or two just touching the face, lifting a lip for a second, and rewarding calm. If the dog panics at a finger near its mouth, no toothbrush will succeed. This groundwork is the step most owners skip, and it is why brushing fails.
- Introduce taste, then the brush. Let the dog lick dog-specific toothpaste off your finger so the flavor becomes a good thing. Add a finger brush, then a soft dog toothbrush, one small step at a time. Keep each session under a minute at first.
- Brush on a realistic cadence. Daily is ideal, but once or twice a week still removes plaque before it hardens. A cadence you actually keep beats a perfect plan you abandon by week two. Consistency is the whole game here.
- Bridge the gaps with VOHC chews. On days you do not brush, a chew accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council slows plaque and gives the dog a job. Match the chew to the dog's size and age, and count its calories in the daily total.
- Keep the vet in the loop. Home care is maintenance between professional cleanings, not a replacement. Book the exams your vet recommends, and treat any bad breath, bleeding, or mouth-shyness as a reason to move that appointment up.
One boarding guest, a headstrong three-year-old, would clamp his mouth shut at the sight of a brush. His owner had jumped straight to brushing on day one and the dog had decided the whole thing was a threat. Rewinding to plain muzzle handling, paired with a treat, reset the association over a couple of weeks. The lesson holds for most Shibas: the order you introduce the routine matters more than the tools. If you are still deciding whether this breed suits you, the candid handling load is in whether a Shiba Inu is right for you, and the problems this routine is meant to prevent are laid out in common dog dental problems in Shiba Inu.
What we have seen keeping Shiba teeth clean since 2019
Across 250-plus Shibas boarded and placed since 2019, the mouths that stay healthy belong to owners who made handling a boring daily thing before there was ever a problem. The dogs that arrive with heavy tartar are almost always the ones who were never touched around the muzzle until something hurt. Early, low-stakes handling is the cheapest dental insurance there is.
What worked for us: short sessions, a reward the dog actually cared about, and rotating chews so the novelty kept a stubborn dog interested. What did not work: forcing a panicked dog, and trusting chews or food to do a brush's job. We keep the routine going for dogs in our care, but we are not a clinic. If we spot tartar, a cracked tooth, or an inflamed gum line, we flag it and get the dog seen rather than guessing. Our in-home boarding includes vet transport so a dog can reach a proper exam on schedule. Diagnosis and any treatment belong to a licensed veterinarian.
Related questions
How often should I brush my Shiba's teeth?
Daily brushing is the gold standard because plaque starts hardening into tartar within a couple of days. That said, once or twice a week still delivers real benefit and is far better than nothing. The best cadence is the one you can keep without turning it into a battle. Build up to it slowly with a dog that resists.
Are dental chews a replacement for brushing?
No. Dental chews accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council can slow plaque and tartar between brushings, but they do not reach every surface a brush does, and they add calories. Use them as a helpful layer alongside brushing and vet cleanings, not as the whole plan. Pick the size and firmness that suit your dog, and ask your vet if you are unsure.
What toothpaste is safe for a Shiba?
Only ever use toothpaste made for dogs. Human toothpaste contains ingredients, including fluoride and sometimes xylitol, that can be toxic to dogs who swallow it, and dogs cannot rinse and spit. Dog toothpastes come in flavors dogs like, which doubles as a training aid. If your dog has health conditions, check with your vet before choosing a product.
What to read next
For the fuller picture on what can go wrong, read common dog dental problems in Shiba Inu and dental disease and Shiba Inus. To dig into the chew-versus-wipe question, see maintaining dental health with chews or wipes. And if you travel and want the routine handled for you, our in-home boarding keeps up daily mouth care and can arrange vet transport when needed.
Need in-home boarding for your Shiba?
Small groups, five walks a day, never a kennel. Daycare and vet transport included.