If you're deciding between Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste and Protection+, the short answer is this: choose Brushless Toothpaste for a straightforward paste-center chew focused on the mechanical brushing action, and choose Protection+ when you also want the antioxidant Asta-Shield coating and a small-dog size. Both are daily chews built to support a clean mouth, and both share the same core idea — let the chewing do the work. At Ark Naturals, we make more than one option on purpose, because dogs come in different sizes with different needs.
What the two chews have in common
Before the differences, it helps to see the shared foundation. Both chews are designed so that the act of chewing wipes plaque from the tooth surface, which is the same principle behind any effective dental chew. Neither is a replacement for brushing or professional cleanings; they're daily maintenance that fits between vet visits. The American Animal Hospital Association's dental guidelines frame home care as one layer of a larger plan, and either chew fits that layer.
Brushless Toothpaste: the paste-center workhorse
Our Brushless Toothpaste chew is built around a paste core that spreads across the teeth as your dog chews, mimicking the brushing step a lot of dogs won't tolerate. It's a firmer chew sized for medium and larger dogs, and it's the natural pick if your main goal is simple: a no-fuss daily chew that keeps up the mechanical cleaning without you having to fight a toothbrush.
Think of it as the everyday option for a healthy-mouthed dog whose owner wants dental care to be one easy step after dinner.
Protection+: the coated, small-dog-friendly option
Protection+ builds on the same chewing principle but adds our Asta-Shield coating, which carries astaxanthin — a naturally sourced antioxidant that's part of a balanced wellness routine, not a treatment for any condition. The mini version is sized for small dogs up to about eight pounds, filling a gap the larger Brushless Toothpaste chew doesn't.
So Protection+ tends to make sense in two situations: you have a small or toy dog who needs a properly sized chew, or you specifically want the antioxidant coating as part of the package.
How to choose between them
A few questions usually settle it:
- How big is your dog? Small dogs are better served by the Protection+ mini size, while medium and larger dogs fit the Brushless Toothpaste chew.
- Do you want the Asta-Shield coating? If the antioxidant coating appeals to you, Protection+ is the one that carries it.
- What's your dog's chewing style? A vigorous chewer with a healthy mouth does well with the firmer Brushless Toothpaste; if you want a gentler option or a soft-baked format, look at the wider Protection+ family, which includes soft-baked Soft Shield.
There's no wrong answer here — both are daily chews doing the same fundamental job. The choice is about matching size and features to your dog.
Using either chew well
Whichever you land on, the rules are the same: one appropriately sized chew a day, given at a consistent time, with you supervising while your dog eats. Remove any small end piece your dog might gulp, and count the chew toward the day's calories. If your dog has dental issues, missing teeth, or a sensitive stomach, check with your veterinarian before adding either chew to the routine.
When to skip the comparison and call your vet
Neither chew is the right tool for a mouth that's already in trouble. Persistent bad breath, inflamed or bleeding gums, loose teeth, or a dog who's off his food are reasons to book a veterinary exam, not to switch chews. Your veterinarian can assess what's happening below the gumline and tell you whether a cleaning is overdue. A chew supports a healthy mouth; it doesn't rescue a diseased one.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give both chews to the same dog?
There's usually no need to — one daily dental chew of the right size covers the maintenance job. If you're rotating for variety, keep the total to one chew a day and account for the calories. Your vet can advise if your dog has specific dietary limits.
Is the Asta-Shield coating worth choosing Protection+ for?
It comes down to preference. Astaxanthin is a naturally derived antioxidant and a reasonable feature to want in a daily chew, but Brushless Toothpaste still delivers the core mechanical benefit without it. Pick based on what matters to you and your dog's size.
My dog is right on the size border — which do I pick?
When a dog straddles two sizes, err toward the chew that's easy for him to manage and hard for him to swallow whole. If you're unsure, your veterinarian can help you judge the right fit for your dog's mouth.
The bottom line
Brushless Toothpaste and Protection+ chase the same goal — daily, chew-driven oral-care support — so the decision really turns on your dog's size and whether you want the antioxidant Asta-Shield coating. Match the chew to the dog, keep it consistent, and lean on your veterinarian for anything beyond routine upkeep. Compare both and the rest of the lineup at Ark Naturals.