Shiba Inus are sensitive about getting their teeth brushed, so you need to find a way to control plaque, bacteria, and tartar successfully. You can easily make this happen when you give your Shiba Inu dental chews or when you use dental wipes for regular at-home teeth cleaning. The chews or wipes will make your dog less nervous about getting its teeth cleaned.
Because Shiba Inus are more susceptible to dental problems, this is important. Give your dog the proper canine nutrition, keep its teeth and breath fresh with the right at-home dental products, and schedule regular professional cleanings at your vet’s office.
Dental chews and dental wipes are both good options for a Shiba that fights toothbrushing, and the right pick depends on the dog. Chews work by mechanical scraping and often added enzymes while the dog does the work, which suits a dog that loves to chew. Wipes let you rub plaque off the tooth surface by hand, which suits a dog that tolerates handling but not a brush in its mouth. Neither reaches below the gum line the way brushing and a professional cleaning do, so treat them as helpful layers, not replacements. When you can, look for products accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, match the size and firmness to your dog, and count chew calories in the daily total. And keep up the vet cleanings, because home products slow buildup but do not treat disease.
The short version, in four parts:
- Chews suit dogs that love chewing and scrape plaque while keeping the dog busy.
- Wipes suit dogs that accept handling but not a toothbrush, letting you rub plaque off by hand.
- Look for VOHC acceptance, the right size and firmness, and reasonable calories.
- Both are layers between brushing and vet cleanings, not substitutes for either.
Our Shiba Recommended Items
| Product Image | Name | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste – Chews for Smaller Breed Dogs | |||
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Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste – Chews for Smaller Breed Dogs
This product is designed for smaller dogs, such as the Shiba Inu, or dogs that weigh about 10 to 20 pounds. The chews provide a total solution for dental care, as the dog’s teeth are cleaned and strengthened as he chews on the chews.
For the best results, the manufacturer recommends that you give your Shiba Inu the chews twice daily. The Value Pack for the product gives your dog a full month’s supply of the product. The soft center inside the chew fights the tartar, plaque, and bacteria that cause bad breath with natural ingredients, such as chlorophyll, clove, vanilla, and cinnamon – no more doggy breath! The formula is carefully made so no artificial preservatives or colors are used. It is also free of wheat, soy, and corn, which can cause digestive upset.
Most of the reviewers gave the chews 5 stars. However, some of the customers complained that the chews did not agree with their dogs. One reviewer said that she thought the chews had caused her pet to vomit. In this case, the cinnamon may not have been good for the dog, as essential oils, including cinnamon, have been known to make pets sick.
Dogs like to eat grass, which also contains chlorophyll, which normally does not produce any harmful side effects. Therefore, it might be prudent to find a product that contains primarily chlorophyll or chlorophyll tablets to freshen the breath.
While the clove in the product may cause vomiting in cats, it seems to be relatively safe in dogs. With that being said, one reviewer reported that the product got rid of his dog’s bad breath in two days and he was extremely happy with the chews. As a result, it probably is best to check with your vet before you go online and place an order. This Amazon Choice product sells for $30.90.
Petpost Dental Wipes for Dogs
The fresh mint and apple formula of the wipes contains water, glycerin, propylene glycol, polysorbate 80, favoring, sorbital, zinc, pyrus mallus (apple) extracts, malic acid, and peppermint and spearmint leaf oils as its main ingredients. According to the manufacturer, the product is toxic-free.
Because the wipes are made with soft cotton material, you can clean your dog’s teeth more easily. With these wipes, you can avoid the mess of spilled toothpaste and more easily calm your Shiba Inu when you clean its teeth. If you use a toothbrush, it can make your dog nervous, as he won’t understand the use of this foreign object, especially inside of its mouth.
The wipes are made in the U.S. and the manufacturer offers a 100% Happy Dog money-back guarantee. If your dog does not like the wipes or they don’t seem to work after regular use, you can get a full refund, no questions asked.
You can use this product on Shiba Inus that are 8 weeks or older. If you have a Shiba puppy, try to get your pup used to get its teeth cleaned with the wipes when it is young, so you can make using the wipes part of its daily routine. This same brand also features a foam that you can apply to your dog’s teeth and gums as well as a solution that goes into the dog’s water. If you want to try using a toothbrush, Petpost also offers toothpaste for brushing your canine friend’s teeth.
If you choose to use the wipes, you can get 100 wipes or presoaked pads for about $18.97. Use two wipes (one for each side of the mouth) each day to clean your Shiba Inu’s teeth.
Many of the customers who used the wipes who liked them said they preferred this way of cleaning to dealing with their dog’s yanking at a toothbrush. They also said, they noticed that the wipes were indeed removing stains and tartar, so they have made it part of a nightly or daily teeth cleaning routine.
One of the customers commented that they did not like the presoaked pads, as they thought they were too small. However, most dog owners thought the wipes were helpful for keeping their dog’s breath clean and preventing decay. The wipes sell for $18.97 on Amazon and can be combined for use with other Petpost teeth and breath cleaning aids.
Pet MD Dental Wipes
This product is similar to the wipes sold by Petpost and are flavored with mint and apple like the Petpost wipes. The wipes also come in a 100-count, just like the Petpost brand. You can buy this product for 13 cents per pad, or $12.99 for 100. These apple and mint wipes are textured and therefore easy to use because you don’t have to press down too hard when using the wipe.
Instead of a dog toothbrush and toothpaste, you just need to wipe your dog’s teeth and dispose of the pad. Like Petpost, this product is made in the U.S.A. The manufacturer recommends using the product on dogs at least 12 weeks old.
To use the wipes, the maker recommends that you carefully lift your dog’s lip before gently softly its teeth and gums. Use a fresh pad for each side of the mouth. If you use the wipes twice a day, you will need to replenish them in about 25 days.
The customers who wrote favorable reviews about Pet MD wipes said they liked the freshness of the wipes and found them more convenient to use than sprays or toothpaste. Customers who complained about the wipes noted they were rather small and therefore a challenge to use. You can learn more about this product by clicking here right now.
Dog chews may be fine, but you have to be careful about them possibly causing digestive distress, even if they contain chlorophyll, which is supposed to relieve stomach upset. Some people who buy dog chews that are less natural, and which do not contain chlorophyll complain their dog may suffer from constipation or had problems with gas. Therefore, you may be preventing periodontal disease but causing another unwanted condition.
That is why dental cleaning wipes may be used as an alternative to using a doggy toothbrush and toothpaste. Of the two presented brands, or Petpost and Pet MD, there seems to be very little difference. Therefore, either product can be used without one being favored over the other. If you want to save money, choose Pet MD. However, if you want to use some of the other Postpet products along with the wipes, you may prefer to use the Postpet wipes and pay the higher price.
How to choose a chew or wipe that actually helps
The shelf is crowded and most of it is marketing. A handful of criteria separate a product that meaningfully slows plaque from a treat that just adds calories. Run any chew or wipe through these before you buy.
- Look for the VOHC seal. The Veterinary Oral Health Council accepts products shown to reduce plaque or tartar. It is the closest thing to independent proof on the shelf. A product without it is not automatically useless, but the seal is the fastest way to filter noise.
- Match size and firmness to the dog. A chew too small is a choking risk and too big goes ignored, while one too hard can crack a tooth, which is a common way a healthy mouth ends up at the vet. Aim for a chew that flexes rather than one as hard as bone or antler.
- Count the calories. Dental chews are food, and a daily chew can quietly add up on a compact breed that gains weight easily. Fold the chew into the day's calorie budget rather than treating it as free, and adjust meals accordingly.
- Read the ingredients. Favor short, recognizable ingredient lists and skip products heavy on fillers or unnecessary additives. If your dog has allergies or a sensitive stomach, this matters more, and a grain-free or single-protein option may suit better.
- Pick chew or wipe by temperament. A determined chewer gets more from a chew that keeps it occupied. A dog that hates things in its mouth but tolerates being handled often does better with a wipe you control. The best product is the one your specific dog will actually accept.
One boarding guest, a strong-jawed adult, had chipped a back tooth on an antler his owner thought counted as dental care. We steered the owner toward a softer VOHC-accepted chew, and the vet handled the chipped tooth. The lesson holds for a lot of Shibas: harder is not better, and a cracked tooth undoes any dental benefit instantly. Because these choices sit inside a wider care budget, our guide to the cost of owning a Shiba Inu in California is honest about dental spending, and the full home routine is laid out in dental health for your Shiba Inu.
What we have seen with chews and wipes since 2019
Across 250-plus Shibas boarded and placed since 2019, chews and wipes earn their keep mainly as a bridge for the many Shibas who refuse a toothbrush. The dogs whose owners used them consistently, alongside vet cleanings, tended to have cleaner mouths than dogs who got nothing between professional visits. But we have also seen owners lean on chews as their entire dental plan and still end up with tartar, because a chew alone does not reach every surface.
What worked: a VOHC-accepted chew sized right for the dog, wipes for the dogs who tolerated handling but not brushing, and rotating options to keep a bored Shiba interested. What did not work: rock-hard chews that risked teeth, and treating any chew as a substitute for professional cleaning. We are not a clinic, and we do not diagnose teeth. When a boarding guest shows a chipped tooth, heavy tartar, or a sore mouth, we flag it, and our in-home boarding includes vet transport so the dog can be seen. Whether a mouth needs more than home care is always the veterinarian's call.
Related questions
Are dental chews or wipes better for a Shiba?
It depends on the dog. A dog that loves to chew gets more from a VOHC-accepted dental chew, which scrapes plaque while keeping it busy. A dog that hates things in its mouth but accepts handling often does better with a wipe you apply yourself. Many owners use both. Neither replaces brushing or professional cleanings, so think of them as a helpful middle layer.
Can dental chews replace brushing for my Shiba?
No. Chews and wipes slow plaque and freshen breath, but they do not reach every tooth surface or below the gum line the way brushing and a vet cleaning do. They are most valuable for the many Shibas who will not tolerate a brush, as something is far better than nothing. Keep up regular vet exams regardless of how good a chew looks.
Are hard chews and antlers safe for Shiba teeth?
Very hard chews like antlers, bones, and hooves are a common cause of cracked teeth, which then need veterinary treatment. A good rule of thumb is that a dental chew should flex or dent under pressure rather than being as hard as your countertop. When choosing, favor softer VOHC-accepted options, and ask your vet if you are unsure what is safe for your dog.
What to read next
For the full home routine these products fit into, read dental health for your Shiba Inu, and for the problems you are trying to prevent, see common dog dental problems in Shiba Inu and dental disease and Shiba Inus. To see where dental care sits in the wider budget, our breakdown of the cost of owning a Shiba Inu in California is candid. If you travel, our in-home boarding keeps up daily mouth care.
Need in-home boarding for your Shiba?
Small groups, five walks a day, never a kennel. Daycare and vet transport included.