How to Attack Smelly Dog Breath

How to Attack Smelly Dog Breath

There can be several reasons why your dog may have bad breath which include diet, disease, and age.  Often, you will need to seek professional guidance when it comes to poor dog breath and or dental cleanings.  However, there are things which can be done at home to lessen and/or take care of the situation. After all, few smells are as unpleasant as a dog with bad breath.

First, let us talk about the causes of bad dog breath.  The most common causes of bad breath in dogs are bad oral hygiene and periodontal disease.  Just like human teeth go, if we neglect to take care of them, bacteria will continue to form over time causing tartar build up, cavities, infections, and even tissue destruction.  Bad habits can also cause smelly dog breath.  For example, if your pup is constantly getting in the trash or putting random things in their mouth, it could be a recipe for disaster.  Keep an eye out to prevent this from happening!  On the flip side, diseases such as diabetes, kidney, and/or liver disease may cause bad breath as well.  Therefore, we had mentioned that professional help may be a good source in determining the root cause of the issue.

So…. how can this be treated?  Let’s get down to the nitty gritty.  The most important thing is to determine why or how the issue occurred.  If plaque, tartar, and periodontal disease are behind your dog’s bad breath, then the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a dental cleaning.  We mentioned that unsupervised snacking yields poor dog breath.  As we always say, prevention is key!  Keep a close eye out on your dog and make sure that they do not get into anything while you are away.

Consistently brushing your dog’s teeth will help prevent bad breath as well!  You may also provide your furry friend with chew toys to help them take care of their teeth naturally.  Chew toys can help prevent tartar build up and relives boredom as well!  A well-balanced diet will also help.  This will ensure that your dog is regular, and their digestive system is up to par.  There are many oral hygiene products on the market today.  Be sure to do your research and speak to your veterinarian to determine the most ideal for your pet.