Categories: Pets

How to Cure Bad Breath in Dogs

Dogs get bad breath. Whether a build up bacteria from gum disease, an abscessed tooth or a rotting piece of grass is lodged between your pet’s teeth, you need to learn the root cause of the offensive odor to get rid of the bad dog breath.

Veterinary Examination
If your pet’s bad breath is accompanied by vomiting, yellowing of the gums, the breath has an uncommon sweet odor, or the pet has other unusual symptoms take it to see a veterinarian. The only way to get rid of bad dog breath is by diagnosing and treating the cause of the problem.

Medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, gastrointestinal illness or dental disease can cause canine halitosis and require veterinary care.

Once your pet has a clean bill of health, examine your pet’s diet and start a routine dental care program to keep your dog’s bad breath at bay.

Reducing Bad Breath Through Diet
Some dog foods have a naturally unpleasing residual odor. If your pet frequently eats moist dog foods, table scraps or lamb-based foods, consider altering its diet.

Hard, dry dog food kibbles scrape against the surface of the teeth while the pet eats and loosens odor-causing residual foods and tartar. And, dry foods leave less lingering odors on the pet’s palette.

If your pet will only eat soft food, try adding sodium-free chicken or vegetable broth to dry dog food to create an odorless semi-moist food.

Dental Care to Reduce Stinky Dog Breath
Just like humans, dogs require daily tooth brushing. To make the task easier, try using a finger cot style toothbrush. Rather than inserting a long toothbrush handle into the pet’s mouth, the finger brush allows you to rub the dog’s teeth with the tip of your finger.