DentaMax Dental Powder for Dogs & Cats, Plaque, Tartar & Bad Breath
For Dogs & Cats | NutriFlex® DentaMax
Helps reduce plaque buildup at the source without daily brushing.
DentaMax For Dogs and Cats Ingestible Dental Powder suitable for pets of all breeds and ages from 12 weeks.
Price range: R295,00 through R745,00
Daily dental powder for dogs and cats
No brushes. No fights. No more dragon breath.
DentaMax™ is a dental powder made from one ingredient: dental-grade arctic-boreal marine alga (Ascophyllum nodosum), wild-harvested from the cold North Atlantic. Sprinkle one scoop over your pet’s meal once a day. It works through their saliva, reaching the gumline and the gaps between teeth that a toothbrush misses.
Less plaque
Tartar prevention
Healthy gums
Fresh breath
- Reduces plaque by up to 32% in 30 days in controlled canine studies on Ascophyllum nodosum
- Prevents tartar by up to 35% in 30 days and softens existing tartar over time
- Healthier gums with up to 67% less gum bleeding in 30 days
- Freshens breath at the source by targeting the bacteria behind it, not masking the smell
- Safe for diabetic pets with no maltodextrin, starch or added sugar
- One 180 g tub lasts 6 months for a cat or small dog
- ★★★★★ Loved by SA pet parents
- Reg. V35342 Act 36/1947
- Certified human-grade
- Recommended by veterinarians
How DentaMax™ works
Saliva does the cleaning. You just sprinkle.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth within hours. Left alone, it hardens into tartar (calculus) that a toothbrush can't shift. Daily brushing stops it, but most pets won't sit still for a toothbrush every day. DentaMax™ works from the inside instead.
- Sprinkle. One scoop over their meal, once a day.
- Absorb. Bioactive compounds in the kelp are absorbed during digestion.
- Coat. They're secreted into saliva, which bathes every tooth and the gumline around the clock.
- Protect. Plaque bacteria lose their grip, so less plaque sticks and less hardens into tartar.
The enzyme bonus. Ascophyllum nodosum naturally hosts Bacillus licheniformis, a marine bacterium whose enzymes break down the sticky matrix plaque bacteria use to anchor to teeth. That's how DentaMax™ helps remove plaque without scraping, chewing or abrasives.
Because saliva does the work, DentaMax™ keeps working between meals and reaches the back teeth and gumline where most tartar builds up. It works the same whether your pet savours their food or inhales it.
Benefits for dogs and cats
What DentaMax™ does for your pet's mouth
Four results from one daily scoop: less plaque, tartar prevention, fresh breath and healthy gums.
Every one of them comes from a single ingredient working through your pet's saliva, at every meal.
Less plaque
DentaMax™ reduces new plaque and helps remove the film that's already there, so teeth stay cleaner between vet visits.
The evidence: up to 32% less plaque in 30 days in controlled canine studies on Ascophyllum nodosum.
Tartar prevention
Daily use stops plaque hardening into tartar. Existing tartar softens and gradually comes away with consistent use.
The evidence: up to 35% less tartar in 30 days in the same studies.
Fresh breath
Bad breath comes from mouth bacteria releasing sulphur gases. DentaMax™ targets those bacteria, so breath freshens from the source.
The evidence: dogs given Ascophyllum nodosum had significantly lower levels of these sulphur gases than dogs on a placebo over 90 days (Gawor et al., 2018).
Healthy gums
Less plaque at the gumline means less irritation, so gums stay pink, calm and healthy.
The evidence: up to 67% less gum bleeding in 30 days in controlled canine studies on Ascophyllum nodosum.
Visibly whiter teeth
Pet parents typically see whiter teeth, cleaner gums and fresher breath within 3 to 12 weeks of daily use. The results last for as long as you keep using it.
Typical results with daily use.
No brushing needed
No toothbrush, no wrestling and no guilt. It suits pets who won't let anyone near their mouth, from kittens to 13-year-old seniors.
Suitable for dogs and cats of all breeds from 12 weeks.
No added sugar, so it suits diabetic pets. Many dental powders bulk out the scoop with maltodextrin, starch or flavour carriers. DentaMax™ has none of them. Each 1 g scoop has 2 kcal and under 0.2 g carbohydrate (natural sugars included), so diabetic pets and pets watching their weight can have it every day.
What to expect
Fresher breath first. Whiter teeth next.
DentaMax™ works with every meal, so results build day by day. Here's the timeline most pet parents see with one scoop a day.
- Week 1 to 2: fresher breath. Saliva starts carrying the kelp's compounds. The sulphur smell at the gumline eases. Many pet parents notice it within the first week.
- Day 30: less plaque, less tartar. In controlled canine studies, Ascophyllum nodosum cut plaque by up to 32%, tartar by up to 35% and gum bleeding by up to 67% within 30 days.
- Week 3 to 12: visibly whiter teeth. Existing tartar softens and comes away. Teeth look cleaner along the gumline.
- Month 3 and on: the new normal. One scoop a day keeps plaque from building back up between vet check-ups.
Heavy, long-standing tartar takes longest. Results last as long as you keep using DentaMax™.
Proof
Don't take our word for it. Smell the difference.
I started using Dentamax in mid-June 2025 for my three dachshunds after my vet recommended it. Their bad breath improved within a week.
My one boys teeth had black tarter and all of it is gone his teeth is white now
My boy, Milo is 13 years old & doesn't like anyone touching his mouth. So the Dentamax product is easy to use with no issues & has made a difference already.
The science behind the ingredient
Ascophyllum nodosum has been shown in controlled canine studies to reduce plaque by up to 32%, tartar by up to 35% and gingival bleeding by up to 67% within 30 days.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, dogs given Ascophyllum nodosum daily for 90 days after a professional dental clean built up significantly less plaque and tartar and had lower levels of the sulphur gases that cause bad breath (Gawor et al., Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2018).
A second placebo-controlled study of 60 dogs found that 30 days of Ascophyllum nodosum clearly changed the chemistry of their saliva, switching off pathways linked to plaque and tartar build-up. Dogs on the placebo showed no such change (Gawor et al., Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2021).
Ascophyllum nodosum is the same active found in dental products that have earned Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) recognition internationally.
What's in it
One ingredient. Four jobs.
DentaMax™ is 100% dental-grade arctic-boreal marine alga (Ascophyllum nodosum), so every 1 g scoop holds a full 1,000 mg of the kelp. In a multi-ingredient dental powder, the kelp shares the same scoop with other actives, carriers and flavourings, so your pet gets less of the ingredient the studies are built on.
1,000 mgAscophyllum nodosum in every 1 g scoop
0fillers, carriers, flavourings or preservatives
0 gadded sugar, so it suits diabetic pets
12 weeksyoungest age to start
One ingredient covers all four
| The job | What Ascophyllum nodosum does |
|---|---|
| Plaque | Up to 32% less plaque in 30 days in controlled canine studies |
| Tartar | Up to 35% less tartar in 30 days. Existing tartar softens over time |
| Breath | Significantly lower levels of the sulphur gases that cause bad breath over 90 days (Gawor et al., 2018) |
| Gums and saliva | Up to 67% less gum bleeding in 30 days. In 30 days it measurably changes saliva chemistry, switching off pathways linked to plaque and tartar (Gawor et al., 2021) |
DentaMax™ compared with multi-ingredient dental powders
| Per 1 g scoop | DentaMax™ | Multi-ingredient powders |
|---|---|---|
| Ascophyllum nodosum | 1,000 mg (100%) | Shares the scoop |
| Maltodextrin, starch or carriers | No | Often |
| Suitable for diabetic pets (no added sugar or starch) | Yes | Check the label |
| Flavourings or yeast extract | No | Often |
| Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) | No | Often |
| Activated charcoal | No | Often |
| Certified human-grade as a finished product | Yes | Check the label |
| Registered under Act 36/1947 | V35342 | Check the label |
What we leave out and why
| Ingredient | In DentaMax™? | Why not |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) | No | A synthetic mineral binder that needs minutes of contact with the tooth to work. A powder is swallowed in seconds, so there's little benefit to justify eating it every day. |
| Activated charcoal | No | Useful in a poisoning emergency, but it binds indiscriminately. Taken daily, it can bind nutrients and medication too. |
| Maltodextrin, starch and fillers | No | Bulk that adds calories and does nothing for teeth. With no maltodextrin or added sugar, DentaMax™ is suitable for diabetic pets. |
| Flavourings and yeast extract | No | Kelp has a mild sea taste most pets eat happily. |
Typical analysis
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per 1 g scoop |
|---|---|---|
| Ascophyllum nodosum | 100 g | 1 g |
| Energy | 863 kJ (207 kcal) | 9 kJ (2 kcal) |
| Dietary fibre | 43.6 g | 0.44 g |
| Carbohydrate (natural sugars included) | 16.3 g | 0.16 g |
| Minerals | 19.3 g | 0.19 g |
| Protein | 7.4 g | 0.07 g |
| Fat | 2.7 g | 0.03 g |
| Sodium | 2,871 mg | 28.7 mg |
| Moisture (max) | 9.9 g | 0.1 g |
Ascophyllum nodosum is also naturally rich in polyphenols, magnesium, calcium, potassium and vitamin K.
Ingredients: Ascophyllum nodosum (organic) arctic-boreal marine algae. Wild-harvested in the North Atlantic. Certified organic and non-GMO. Every kelp lot is tested for heavy metals, microbes and iodine. Values vary with season and harvest.
Powder vs chew
Is a dental powder better than a dental chew? For most pets, yes.
Many dental chews contain starch-based binders, glycerin, preservatives and flavourings to hold their shape, retain moisture and encourage pets to eat them. They serve processing, shelf life and palatability rather than your pet's nutritional needs.
Processing
Starch-based binders
Hold the chew's shape. They add empty calories and carbohydrate, which matters if your pet is diabetic or watching their weight.
Not in DentaMax™. No added sugar or starch to complicate a diabetic pet's diet. No binders adding unnecessary calories for pets watching their weight.
Shelf life
Glycerin
Retains moisture so the chew stays soft. It isn't gut friendly: in larger amounts glycerin can loosen stools.
Not in DentaMax™. Instead, naturally nutrient-rich seaweed provides vitamins, minerals and fibre to support gut health.
Shelf life
Preservatives
Keep the chew from spoiling on the shelf. They add shelf life, not dental benefits.
Not in DentaMax™. Organic, certified human-grade dental care for cleaner teeth and fresher breath, without unwanted preservatives.
Palatability
Flavourings
Encourage pets to eat the chew. Often chicken or beef, which are among the most common food allergens in dogs and cats.
Not in DentaMax™. No chicken or beef flavouring to trouble pets with food sensitivities. Simply mix into their usual meal. Most pets barely notice it's there.
Four extras that serve the product, not your pet.
Pay for actives. Skip the fillers.
With a chew, part of every rand you spend goes on extras your pet doesn't need. With DentaMax™, every gram is active ingredient with clinically studied oral health benefits for dogs and cats.
Dental chew: your money pays for
DentaMax™: your money pays for
NutriFlex® refuses to compromise on health, so DentaMax™ delivers daily dental support without unwanted extras.
Directions
How much to give and how long it lasts
Scoop and pack calculator
Add each dog or cat in your home. We'll work out the daily scoops, how long each pack lasts and the cost per day.
Serving guide
| Pet weight | Daily | 100 g pouch | 180 g tub | 360 g tub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 kg (cats, small dogs) | 1 scoop (1 g) | 100 days | 180 days | 360 days |
| 16 to 30 kg | 2 scoops (2 g) | 50 days | 90 days | 180 days |
| Over 30 kg | 3 scoops (3 g) | 33 days | 60 days | 120 days |
Use level scoops. A 1 g scoop comes in every tub. One tub serves the dogs and cats in a multi-pet home.
How to give it
Sprinkle the scoop over your pet's meal and mix it through, once a day. If they eat twice a day, you can split the serving between meals. New to seaweed? Start with a pinch and build up to the full serving over a week or two.
Fussy eater? Mix the scoop into a spoon of plain, unsweetened yoghurt or a splash of NutriFlex® bone broth Meal Topper, then stir it into their meal.
Safe daily use. Ascophyllum nodosum is a natural source of iodine, so DentaMax™ is dosed by body weight. Don't exceed the daily serving unless your vet directs it. Ask your vet before starting if your pet:
- is a cat or weighs under 5 kg
- has thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism) or takes thyroid medication
- has chronic kidney disease
- is pregnant or nursing
Quality you can verify
Held to the standard of your own food
V35342 Act 36/1947
Registered in South Africa
DentaMax™ is registered under Act 36 of 1947. You'll find the number on every pack.
Human-grade
Certified human-grade
Certified human-grade as a finished product and produced at an FSA-accredited facility in Cape Town. That's a higher standard than the feed-grade production used for most pet products.
Vet channel
Recommended by veterinarians
Stocked by veterinary practices and supplied through veterinary wholesale.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long does DentaMax™ take to work?
Most pet parents see whiter teeth, cleaner gums and fresher breath within 3 to 12 weeks of daily use. Breath often improves first: Celeste saw her three dachshunds' bad breath improve within a week. Thick, old tartar takes longest, because it softens gradually with every day of use.
Do I still need to brush my pet's teeth?
No. DentaMax™ works through saliva, so it cleans without a toothbrush. If you already brush, keep going: DentaMax™ covers the days you miss and reaches the gumline and back teeth that brushing tends to miss.
How does a powder clean teeth if my pet swallows it?
DentaMax™ works systemically. Bioactive compounds in Ascophyllum nodosum are absorbed during digestion and secreted into saliva, which coats the teeth and gumline around the clock. That makes it hard for plaque bacteria to stick and harden into tartar. It doesn't need contact time on the tooth, so it works even for pets who gulp their food.
Can DentaMax™ remove existing tartar?
Yes, gradually. With consistent daily use, existing tartar softens and comes away over weeks, while new tartar is prevented from forming. Heavy, long-standing tartar or gum disease needs a professional clean at your vet first. DentaMax™ then keeps teeth cleaner for longer after the clean.
Is DentaMax™ suitable for cats?
Yes. DentaMax™ is for dogs and cats of all breeds from 12 weeks. Cats get 1 level scoop (1 g) a day, so a 180 g tub lasts 6 months. Cats are small and sensitive to iodine, so check with your vet before you start.
Why one ingredient instead of a blend of six?
Because the evidence sits with Ascophyllum nodosum. Every 1 g scoop of DentaMax™ is 1,000 mg of it. In a blend, the kelp shares the scoop with other actives, carriers and flavourings, so your pet gets less of the ingredient the studies tested. Kelp on its own covers all four jobs: up to 32% less plaque, 35% less tartar and 67% less gum bleeding in 30 days, plus lower levels of the sulphur gases behind bad breath. Extras like SHMP and activated charcoal need contact time on the tooth that a swallowed powder doesn't give them.
Is DentaMax™ suitable for diabetic pets?
Yes. DentaMax™ contains no maltodextrin, added sugar or starch. Each 1 g scoop has 2 kcal and under 0.2 g carbohydrate (natural sugars included), so its effect on your pet's blood sugar and daily calories is negligible.
Is a dental powder better than a dental chew?
For most pets, yes. Many dental chews contain starch-based binders, glycerin, preservatives and flavourings to hold their shape, retain moisture and encourage pets to eat them. Those extras add empty calories and carbohydrate, which matters if your pet is diabetic or watching their weight. They serve processing, shelf life and palatability rather than your pet's nutritional needs. You pay for them too, so part of every rand goes on ingredients your pet doesn't need. They aren't gut friendly either: in larger amounts glycerin can loosen stools. NutriFlex® refuses to compromise on health, so DentaMax™ delivers daily dental support without unwanted extras. Every 1 g scoop is 1,000 mg of Ascophyllum nodosum working through your pet's saliva. One tub suits dogs and cats from 12 weeks. The serving is matched to their weight, with no chicken or beef flavouring. Beef and chicken are among the most common food allergens in dogs and cats.
Will DentaMax™ change the taste of my pet's food?
Hardly. DentaMax™ is unflavoured, with no yeast extract or carriers. One gram of fine powder mixes into a whole meal. Its natural, mild sea taste is one most dogs and cats enjoy: Lynette's dogs "love their dentamax every morning". For a very fussy eater, start with a pinch and build up over a week or two, or mix the scoop into a spoon of plain, unsweetened yoghurt.
Why doesn't DentaMax™ contain SHMP?
Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) is a synthetic mineral binder that only works while it sits on the tooth surface for several minutes. A dental powder is swallowed in seconds, so SHMP adds little in this format. We'd rather leave out an ingredient that doesn't earn its place in a daily bowl.
Is DentaMax™ VOHC-certified?
No. DentaMax™ uses Ascophyllum nodosum, the same active found in dental products that have earned Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) recognition internationally. DentaMax™ is registered in South Africa under Act 36 of 1947 (V35342) and is certified human-grade as a finished product.
How much iodine is in DentaMax™?
Ascophyllum nodosum is a natural source of iodine. Each 1 g scoop provides around 1,000 µg (1 mg) of natural iodine. The exact amount varies with each harvest. That's why DentaMax™ is dosed by body weight. Give the recommended serving for your pet's weight and don't exceed it unless your vet directs it. Ask your vet before starting if your pet is a cat or weighs under 5 kg, has thyroid or kidney disease, takes thyroid medication or is pregnant or nursing.
My pet's teeth are clean now. Should I keep going?
Yes. Plaque starts forming again within hours, so the results last only as long as you keep using DentaMax™. One scoop a day keeps the routine simple.
Can I give DentaMax™ with other NutriFlex® supplements?
Yes. DentaMax™ goes into the same meal as NutriFlex® Advanced or Everyday Maintenance Collagen for joints, OmegaMax for skin and coat or DigestiMax for digestion.
How should I store DentaMax™?
Close the lid after each use and store at or below 25 °C, away from moisture and direct sunlight. The expiry date and batch number are printed on the base of every pack.
More years. More love.
Fresh breath is one scoop away
One scoop on their meal for cleaner teeth, healthier gums and fresh-breath cuddles.
Choose your sizeThis is a nutritional product and is not intended as a substitute for veterinary products or advice. Do not exceed the recommended daily serving unless directed by a veterinarian. Discontinue immediately at any sign of adverse reaction. Store at or below 25 °C and protect from moisture.
Customer photos and videos
This really works and my dogs love it! Their teeth are looking much better and so happy with the breath improvement. Thank you for a wonderful product, will definitely keep buying.
This product has so far made a significant improvement to my dogs dental care. Teeth are cleaner and doggy breath much better. Will definitely continue using it.
DENTAMAX REALLY WORK FOR MY POOTCHES
My dogs love their dentamax every morning
The product is very effective and experience that both my dogs breath (Mia, Labrador 13 year and Maisy 7 year) improved and that Mia’s mobility is also a bit better. We live in Mossel Bay, Garden Route. I will definitely recommend this product to fellow pet owners
Seems to make a big difference in our doggies teeth and breath
The dogs are not too crazy about the smell, byt it definately makes a difference to their teeth
Absolutely amazing product
Wiggles my snowshoe, american curl cross loves both the dentamx and joint, he goes to the other cats bowls while I am busy preparing their food to eat it as is.
Unfortunately this is not helping with my dogs’ breath but they love the taste of it.
I started using Dentamax in mid-June 2025 for my three dachshunds after my vet recommended it. Their bad breath improved within a week.
This is the only product that’s truly worked for us, and it’s easy to add to their daily feeding routine.
I’ll continue sharing updates and remain hopeful that consistent use will help reduce the need for future dental procedures — but so far, I’m thoroughly impressed!
Highly recommend for fellow pet parents.
Wonderful Product !!
My fur baby is an old girl so her breath is not always great but she enjoys dentamax over her food and it helps keep her teeth clean.
Wonderful product. Definately going to order some more. My dogs have no more bad breath.
My one boys teeth had black tarter and all of it is gone his teeth is white now been giving my other two from day 1 healthy gums and teeth all around
I am extremely happy with DentaMax. It really works! My dogs have clean teeth and no more stinky breath.
My boy, Milo is 13 years old & doesn’t like anyone touching his mouth. So the Dentamax product is easy to use with no issues & has made a difference already. Love it!!
Max did not like this – wish this was in a tablet form and odourless – it would be easier to give to him. Think he would eat it more readily in tablet form that had a chicken or beef taste or if in powder that there is no odour
Brilliant product, saw results within 3 days
Excellent product. My dog’s teeth are much cleaner.