Petkin Toothwipes

A dog or cat that fights a toothbrush will often tolerate a fingertip for a few seconds, which is the whole case for a wipe over a brush: it asks less of the animal, even if it can't reach as far into the mouth.

Each wipe is pulled from a central roll through a dispenser opening, wrapped around a finger and used to rub over the teeth and gums, with no rinsing needed afterwards. The formula is built around baking soda and cetylpyridinium chloride, with a mint flavour, and Petkin's own instruction is to use it every day rather than occasionally.

• 40-wipe tub
• Active ingredients: baking soda and cetylpyridinium chloride, mint flavour
• No rinsing required after use
• Intended for daily use
• Caution needed working around the mouth to avoid being bitten
• Not for child use

One thing worth knowing. A wipe cleans the surfaces your finger can reach and no further, so it will not do what a scale-and-polish does for teeth that already have a build-up on them. Petkin also warn not to push a finger through the dispenser opening, and to take care working in and around a pet's mouth to avoid being bitten.

Who it's for: owners of a dog or cat that won't accept a toothbrush, who want a simple daily habit rather than nothing at all.