Mary Allen
Does your dog have bad breath? Phew, how uncomfortable! With these tips, cuddling and romping around with fresh breath and smell-free is possible again.
There are many causes of bad breath in dogs. Plaque and tartar are not always to blame: more serious diseases can also be the cause of the bad smell from the mouth of dogs.
If the bad mouth odor occurs very suddenly and without any apparent cause (e.g. after a change of food), you should definitely consult a veterinarian, describe any other symptoms, and name previous illnesses. The veterinarian can thus clarify whether there is a disease of the organs or a metabolic disorder. Both can lead to bad breath and possibly other symptoms.
If there are no diseases, i.e. the dog is in the best of health, plaque and tartar as well as leftover food in the muzzle is usually to blame for dog breath odor. This is also the reason why puppies don’t breathe like a fresh mountain meadow either – but the smell from their little snouts is usually much more pleasant than that of older and especially very old animals.
Of course, you don’t have to endure the unpleasant smell without complaint. The causes of bad breath can be easily eliminated with the right tips.
Feed dry food
Due to its hardness, dry food is much more recommended if your dog sniffles. It simply rubs off the plaque in the mouth. If your dog accepts dry food, you should therefore rely on it when feeding to prevent bad breath and to do something for the health of the mouth.
Some manufacturers offer special types of food for healthy teeth and bad breath. These have been specially designed in terms of form and ingredients to combat plaque and tartar – two of the causes of bad breath. This food can be useful in severe cases of odor from the mouth.
Feed the right treats
You should also think about dental health when choosing treats for in-between meals. It should be clear that products with high sugar content are out of the question from the outset. If there is no information on the packaging, this is not a good sign. Then go for a different product. This helps your dog’s health and can prevent bad breath.
But not only the ingredients, but also the shape and hardness of the treats are crucial. The selection of dental care snacks is immense. Check which product your tail wag loves best. So you can easily feed away the causes of bad breath in dogs and make your animal partner happy at the same time.
If in doubt, the veterinarian will give tips on which treats should end up in the mouth.
Give supplements
Whoever thinks about the health or diet and above all the teeth of their dog, seaweed is certainly not the first thing that comes to mind. But the naturally occurring plant has an enormous effect. Tartar and plaque form significantly less, teeth become visibly cleaner, and bad breath decreases. Simply mixed under the feed every day, the application is also very easy.
If the dog accepts one of these special remedies, you can easily take care of the daily dental care with feeding and you can effectively counteract the bad breath from the oral cavity. Your veterinarian may be able to recommend other dietary supplements that may help eliminate the cause of the dog’s bad breath.
Give chews regularly
The longer and more intensively your dog chews on something, the more effectively tartar and plaque are fought. So give him chews on a regular basis. Not only is he happy with this for a long time, but his nose will soon smell better.
However, make sure to feed high-quality products such as chewing roots or antlers, otherwise the bad smells can quickly be noticed at the other end of the body. And believe us: flatulence in dogs is even more unpleasant than pouty stuffiness.
Chews are not always suitable for puppies. If necessary, ask your veterinarian which products you can give your puppy and which ones it is too young for.
You can also feed a real bone once in a while. You can read here what you absolutely have to pay attention to: Can dogs eat bones?
Brush your dog’s teeth
Opinions differ when it comes to brushing your teeth. Some swear by it and report significantly less bad breath in dogs, others smile at this humanization of the animal and categorically reject it.
One thing is certain: if your dog is willing to make the procedure palatable and does not get unnecessarily stressed, brushing his teeth will not hurt. On the contrary, it is even an effective remedy against tartar in dogs. However, it is much more practical for you and also much more pleasant for your dog if you can get the smelly problem under control with the help of the other tips.
Check specials carefully
If other tips have not worked, you can also try some special remedies. Various manufacturers offer z. B. Mouth sprays for the dog or additives for the drinking water, should avoid plaque and tartar. Just check whether your dog accepts these remedies and whether they are having an effect. As always, however, the same applies here: If your dog feels uncomfortable with it, you should immediately look for other solutions.
Choose the right toy
When it comes to dental health, it makes a world of difference whether you’re romping around with your dog with a simple plastic ball or special dental care toys. The material and shape of these are such that they fight plaque on the dog’s teeth with every snap.
You simply have to try out how well they work in individual cases and sniff the dog’s snout from time to time.
Use effective home remedies
Some dog owners report significantly less bad breath in the dog if they mix household remedies such as chopped parsley or mint into their pet’s food. If your dog accepts their food with these herbs as well, this could be an inexpensive and completely natural solution in the fight against bad breath.
However, these home remedies do not change anything about the formation of tartar. And any food leftovers in the dog’s mouth are not removed. Therefore, if necessary, also use other tricks on this list. And always keep in mind that diseases can also be the cause of bad breath.