Bloating, diarrhea, and dog toots, oh my! If you’re a health-conscious pet parent, you may be worried about sorbitol in your dog’s treats and dental products, especially when it comes to their digestion. So what IS this polarizing ingredient and why is it in many popular dog toothpastes? Keep reading for the scoop.
Understanding Sorbitol for Dogs
Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol found in certain fruits, like apples, cherries and berries. In packaged foods and personal care products, it’s produced commercially from glucose via the process of hydrogenation. Both natural and synthetic forms are chemically identical.
Sorbitol is a common sugar substitute in snacks and treats for dogs (as well as humans) because it has one-third fewer calories than sugar and is 60% as sweet. With its low glycemic index, it’s especially popular among diabetics (those with two legs AND four) and those who are watching their waistlines.
Yet many pet parents have taken a cue from their dogs, cocking their heads and wondering: is sorbitol safe and why is it in dog toothpaste?
Why Is Sorbitol in Dog Toothpaste?
Sorbitol is often found in dog toothpastes for three reasons:
- Sweet taste without the extra calories
- Enhances the texture of the toothpaste
- Helps stop plaque-causing bacteria from sticking to the teeth
Sounds great, right? But not so fast. There are several reasons NOT to make sorbitol your dog’s "main squeeze" in their dental care routine.
Toothpaste Trouble: Is Sorbitol Bad for Dogs?
Many dogs tolerate sorbitol without any issues, but if your dog has a sensitive stomach, an allergy to sorbitol, or consumes too much of it, be on the lookout for:
- Gas (dog farts = movie night ruined)
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Sorbitol and dogs’ digestive systems: why it can cause problems
Sorbitol can be hard on dogs’ stomachs because it creates a laxative effect – in fact, it’s an ingredient in laxatives! So no surprise that the top reported complaint about sorbitol for dogs is DIARRHEA. Hard to spell, and even harder to clean off the carpet. (BTW, if you’re faced with this situation, this is the only stain remover you’ll ever need.)
The bottom line: with dog toothpaste, it’s a "buyer beware" situation concerning sorbitol. That’s why many dog parents opt to take these worries off the table and roll with a dog toothpaste that’s completely free of sorbitol, like vet-recommended Oxyfresh Premium Pet Toothpaste. It fights plaque and bad breath like the alpha dog it is, without the worries of tummy troubles.
How Much Sorbitol Is Too Much?
While sorbitol is not toxic to dogs like the sweetener xylitol, which dogs should not have in ANY amount, your dog’s size and sensitivity to sorbitol matters more than anything.
As a rule, here are the maximum allowable amounts for sorbitol and dogs. Check the labels of your dog’s treats, food and toothpaste to make sure they don’t have too much sorbitol daily. With sorbitol in so many products, it can really add up.
- Small dogs (under 20 lb.): 1 g daily
- Medium dogs (20–50 lb.): 2 g daily
- Large dogs (50–100 lb.): 3 g daily
- Giant breeds (100+ lb.): 4 g daily
Reminder: a product label’s ingredient section lists things in order of prevalence. So if you see sorbitol listed first in your dog’s toothpaste, that means there’s more sorbitol in the product than anything else! Shop around and you’ll see sorbitol is often listed as the first or a top three ingredient in many dog toothpaste formulas.
Is Sorbitol Safe for Cats?
If your family pack includes a cat, then you know they need dental care too. And it makes it so much easier if they can share the same toothpaste. The safety of sorbitol is in essence the same as it is for dogs: likely okay in small amounts but beware of gastrointestinal upset like gas and diarrhea.
Introducing the Best Dog Toothpaste WITHOUT Sorbitol
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, or you don’t want to spend the time tracking their sorbitol intake, then a dog toothpaste without sorbitol is your best bet. And the choice that vets and pets prefer is Oxyfresh Premium Pet Toothpaste.
Unlike dog toothpastes without sorbitol that make up for the lack of sweetness with things like mint (most dogs hate the taste of mint), yucky meat flavors, or clove oils ... Oxyfresh Pet Toothpaste is refreshingly FLAVOR FREE. Seriously, you’ll be amazed at how much easier flavor free makes brushing your pup’s teeth!
But what about its plaque- and tartar-fighting ability? We’ve got that covered too with our proprietary ingredient Oxygene®. This fast-acting, non-toxic oxidizer works on contact to eliminate the bacteria that cause dog plaque and bad breath right at the source. It works better and faster than enzyme-based dog toothpaste, has a soothing gel mouthfeel, and won’t upset those finicky tummies. Dare we say, it’s the complete package.
Love at First Brush
Stormy Gives It Her Seal of Approval
The instant fresh breath effect is truly remarkable! The fact that it's flavor-free is a big plus, especially for picky pets like Stormy. – Denny S.
Best. Toothpaste. Ever.
I have to brush my dog’s teeth every day, and this is better than any toothpaste we've tried. – Jeff W.
My Doggies All Line Up for This
Love the product. My dogs never have bad breath, and their gums and teeth are healthy. – Margo S.
Skip the Sorbitol & Say Hello to Oxyfresh Dog (and Cat) Toothpaste
You’ve cleaned up enough messes and smelled enough dog toots to last a lifetime. So do the best for your dog – and your sanity – and make the switch to Oxyfresh flavor-free, sorbitol-free Pet Toothpaste. It’s the fast, effective way to get their teeth clean, fight plaque, and enjoy snuggle-worthy fresh breath. Try it, love it, and tell all your doggie friends. xo
