VOHC grants Seal of Acceptance to canine toothpaste for tartar control

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has granted the VOHC Seal of Acceptance to Tartar Shield Pro Care Natural Pet Toothpaste for tartar control in dogs.¹ According to VOHC, regular use of products that have the VOHC Seal of Acceptance will lower the severity of periodontal disease in pets.²

According to the American Veterinary Dental College, from whom VOHC is an affiliated entity, the seal is awarded to products that meet the criteria for effectiveness in controlling plaque and/or calculus in dogs and cats.³ Currently, 9 veterinary dentists and dental scientists sit on the VOHC Council, along with a nonvoting director.³

According to Tartar Shield Pet Products, the developer of Tartar Shield Pro Care, clinical studies following VOHC protocols found that topical application of the toothpaste was associated with reductions in tartar, plaque, and halitosis in dogs.¹ The reduction was observed without use of any brushing device.¹

Tartar Shield Pro Care is an enzymatic toothpaste and is the only chemically-active pet toothpaste that has received the VOHC Seal of Acceptance, according to Tartar Shield Pet Products.¹ The toothpaste’s base consists of coconut oil and contains natural and nature-derived ingredients,¹ including miswak, malic acid, zinc citrate, and kaolin clay. In its product site, Tartar Shield Pet Products states that the toothpaste is human grade.⁴

“Our unique blend of organic antimicrobials targets the root causes of plaque and tartar, resulting in fresher breath and healthier gums,” states Tartar Shield Pet Products on its product website.

According to the company, the malic acid in the toothpaste is a type of carboxylic acid that is naturally found in a variety of common fruits. Meanwhile, the zinc citrate in the toothpaste is used for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, while the coconut oil helps protect dogs’ teeth and gums from microbes and plaque.

“Tartar Shield has demonstrated a strong commitment to scientific rigor and to supporting the VOHC’s mission to provide assurance of clinical efficacy for pet oral care,” Ellen Lowery, DVM, PhD, director of the VOHC, said in a news release.¹

Other canine toothpastes that have received the VOHC Seal of Acceptance include Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste by Supersmile and HealthyMouth Toothpaste/Brush Kit Combination by HealthySmile. The Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste received the seal in 2011 for its plaque-controlling properties, and the HealthyMouth Toothpaste/Brush Kit Combination, was recognized shortly after in 2015, also for plaque reduction.⁵

References

1. Tartar Shield Natural Pet Toothpaste granted VOHC Seal of Acceptance. News release. Tartar Shield Pet Products. November 17, 2025. Accessed November 19, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251117759410/en/Tartar-Shield-Natural-Pet-Toothpaste-Granted-VOHC-Seal-of-Acceptance
2. Veterinary Oral Health Council. Veterinary Oral Health Council. Accessed November 19, 2025. https://vohc.org/
3. Veterinary Oral Health Council. American Veterinary Dental College. Accessed November 19, 2025. https://avdc.org/veterinary-oral-health-council/
4. Tartar Shield PRO CARE Toothpaste for Dogs & Cats. Tartar Shield Pet Products. Accessed November 19, 2025. https://www.tartarshield.com/products/pro-care-natural-pet-toothpaste
5. VOHC accepted products. Veterinary Oral Health Council. Accessed November 19, 2025. https://vohc.org/accepted-products/