My 3 Remedies for Bad Dog Breath

Bad dog breath, also known as dog halitosis, is a condition that affects most dogs and can be a sign of underlying health problems. This is why before you try to remedy the situation though, you have to understand the cause for the bad dog breath. Dogs can get smelly breath for one or more of a variety of reasons, including:

• A buildup of plaque or tarter
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Kidney infection
• Sinus infection
• Mouth tumors
• Inflammation of the gums

Before you Seek a Remedy for your Dog’s Bad Breath, Have Him Checked at the Vet

Therefore, before you start to tackle the issue, you should take your dog to the veterinarian to rule out any potential medical problem. If your dog’s breath seems drastically different or he has a problem eating, then you should set an appointment without delay. A potential health problem could exist if your dog’s breath, for instance, has a urine scent (which could signal kidney disease) or his breath as a fruit-like smell (a possibility that he has diabetes). Regardless, you have to find the source of the problem, so a trip to the vet is the best place to start.

#1 Remedy - Buy a Nutritional, Dry Dog Food

Ruling out any health problems, you can now attack the bacteria that are causing your dog’s breath to smell. One way to do this is by buying pet food that is highly nutritional and encourages good digestion. Dry dog food is recommended over soft dog food as it works at gently scraping the teeth, thereby preventing plaque buildup. If you are not sure about which dog food to buy, ask your veterinarian to suggest a brand.

#2 Remedy – Supply your Dog with Chew Toys or Treats that Remove Dog Bad Breath and Prevent Plaque

Keeping your dog’s breath clean can also be accomplished by providing your dog with treats or chew products that remove dog bad breath odor and, again, prevent the buildup of plaque. Usually a rope toy, made for chewing and tugging, is a good choice or a rubber ball or ring. Giving you dog a bone too helps immeasurably in removing tartar and making your dog’s breath easier to tolerate. Don’t resort to giving your dog mints as they really don’t address the problem but only provide a temporary remedy. Plus, they do not aid in removing the bacteria that is causing the smell.  You want to make sure that you cure the problem and not simply mask the scent.

#3 Remedy - Use Natural Gels and Sprays

You can buy doggie breath fresheners that are natural that kill bad breath bacteria and freshen the breath too. To get rid of the bacteria, thyme oil or grape seed extract are both proven natural antiseptics. Freshen your canine’s breath with natural products containing peppermint oil or rosemary oil as well. These ingredients can be found in natural gels and sprays. Gels are used for brushing while sprays aid in eliminating bad dog breath instantaneously. Use both methods to keep your dog’s breath fresh and less distracting.