Is Your Dental Floss Animal-Safe?

I remember in college being endlessly inspired by the resilience of my roommate’s cat, Aiko—from losing his tail in a cat-on-cat skirmish to his ability to soothe all four humans residing in that cramped off-campus house. But the moment I recall most vividly was the day he surprised all four of us simply by walking across the ugly shag carpet. What was notable was the long piece of dental floss hanging from where poop normally exited his body. From the sofa, my roommates and I erupted in laughter.

Fast forward a few decades and I now know dental floss is no laughing matter.

Pets and Dental Floss: What’s the Problem?

While no specific statistics are available on the exact number of pets injured by dental floss each year, the issues are well-documented and attested to by veterinarians. Ingestion of dental floss can pose serious health risks to pets, particularly cats and dogs. These risks can include intestinal blockages, which may require surgical intervention. Floss is a choking hazard and can lead to significant dental issues, including broken teeth and gum damage.

Cats are especially at risk, being inherently curious and playful creatures. They explore their environment with their mouths, and dental floss can be interesting to investigate​. Plus, dental floss closely resembles the string toys we use to play with them. Further, some cats experience pica, a medical condition that compels them to eat non-food items. This behavior can stem from boredom, stress, or nutritional deficiencies, so if your cat seems prone to chomping random things found on your floor, a vet visit might be in order.

Dental Floss in the Wild

Beyond our animal companions, dental floss is problematic for other animals too. Often made from nylon or other nonbiodegradable materials, it can end up in landfills and water bodies. Curious (and hungry!) wildlife ingesting floss can experience the same issues as pets, such as internal blockages and dental injuries. What’s more, floss can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, posing long-term ecological risks.

Dental Floss and Animal Exploitation

Finally, dental floss can be a contributor to animal exploitation. Those concerned with bee welfare should look for brands that avoid beeswax and use plant-based materials such as candelilla wax (derived from the leaves of the candelilla shrub) or carnauba wax (derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm).

Some new eco-friendly brands are made of something called peace silk (or ahimsa silk), which claims to be less exploitive to the Bombyx moth but isn’t necessarily any kinder than traditional silk-making.

Many dental care companies test some of their products on animals, so animal lovers would do well to do their research.

In Search of a Cruelty-Free Floss

I recently test-drove three brands of dental floss, looking to replace those commonly found in our bathroom drawers.

Tom’s Naturally-Waxed Antiplaque Flat Floss

• Animal impact: Tom’s brand may be acceptable for beegans, but vegans should steer clear due to bee-related content. Not tested on animals.

• Environmental impact: The outer package is cardboard and the inner floss container is recycled plastic.

• Use: A total bust for me. The floss is too fat to even fit between my teeth. Granted, my teeth are quite tight, but other customer reviews remarked on the same problem, so I was not alone in this critique.

• Taste and contents: No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Eco-DenT VeganFloss

• Animal impact: As the name suggests, this floss is vegan, contains no beeswax, and was not tested on animals.

• Environmental impact: Eco-DenT warns on its packaging, “Over 700 million plastic floss containers are discarded into landfills each year.” In contrast, their VeganFloss comes in a more environmentally friendly small cardboard package. It’s not fully plastic-free, though. There’s a thin plastic box seal, and the interior floss is contained within a small baggie, but this is a substantial improvement over the traditional plastic box. You’ll need to keep VeganFloss packaging away from damp countertops, though, or the box can become soggy.

• Use: I found this floss easy to use. It glides gently and doesn’t split easily.

• Taste and contents: Available in cinnamon or cranberry-aloe flavors. It’s free from parabens, artificial colors, sweeteners, and mint. Instead, essential oils provide flavor, so check ingredients for potential allergens.

• Other considerations: VeganFloss is supplied in the United States by Lotus Brands, a women-owned company that, according to their website, “started for the purpose of providing safe and effective alternatives to people for maintaining their well-being in harmony with the planet.”

EcoRoots Bamboo Dental Floss

• Animal impact: This floss is free from animal products, making it suitable for animal lovers and vegans alike.

• Environmental impact: What I love about EcoRoots is their eye toward “zero waste” options. The floss comes in a refillable glass jar with a metal top that contains a built-in cutter, packaged in a small recyclable cardboard box. The classy look lets me keep it on my counter, which helps me remember to floss! After use, strands can be composted.

• Use: Tends toward the thicker side, so that’s a consideration for people with tight teeth. Strands can break more easily than traditional floss, so it can take a little time to find the right “pull” pressure.

• Taste and contents: Made from bamboo, as the name suggests. Contains no sweeteners, artificial flavoring, colorants, preservatives, or fluoride. Instead, activated charcoal and organic tea tree oil are used to naturally disinfect your mouth, while organic peppermint oil offers potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This floss uses vegan candelilla wax. A non-charcoal version is also available, made from corn, which might be a good option for those who have experienced issues with charcoal.

• Other considerations: Woman-owned small business. EcoRoots may not seem the most budget-friendly of flosses on the surface, but you get substantially more floss at one time (as opposed to the plastic containers that contain a large wheel and less floss!). That’s good news for those considering the many costs of transportation.

When I started exploring cruelty-free flosses, a whole new world opened up. Next to try: coconut-based floss and wheat floss picks!

Want more tips for resolving pet health issues? Read “Wizard of Paws’ Derrick Campana on Saving Our Pets.”