Our dogs are like members of the family to us; they come along on hikes, to the park, and even to the couch to spend the night.
Anyone who lives with a dog knows, however, that canine breath isn’t always the freshest. When your furry four-legged friend’s breath makes you want to open a window or light a candle, getting a big, slobbery kiss from them is a lot less pleasant.
Thankfully, you can take measures to ensure that your dog always has minty fresh breath. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of the 3 most useful pieces of advice we’ve ever received and included them here.
However, before diving into those tricks, it’s important to learn why dogs experience bad breath in the first place.
Most common source of bad breath comes from eating spoiled food
Bad breath in dogs is typically caused by bacteria in the dog’s mouth and digestive system. Tartar and plaque formation, which are caused by neglecting one’s oral hygiene, are the usual culprits in the spread of these bacteria.
This makes perfect sense. After all, if you stop brushing and flossing regularly, your breath will inevitably start to stink.
Dogs can contract systemic infections from bacteria that start in their mouths. Dr. Catherine Barnette says that the heart, the liver, and the kidneys are particularly vulnerable to oral bacteria.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to enhance your dog’s dental health. Here are 3 of our greatest and best dog treat for bad breath and for keeping your dog’s breath smelling fresh while doing so:
1. First and foremost, you should brush your dog’s teeth:
If your dog isn’t properly trained, brushing its teeth probably won’t seem like much fun. However, brushing their teeth remains one of the most efficient ways to help keep their mouths healthy.
However, many professionals agree that once a week is plenty when it comes to cleaning your dog’s teeth.
A key consideration if you do decide to try brushing is the need for a dog-specific toothpaste. Dogs should not ingest human toothpaste, especially in large quantities.
Use a dog-specific toothbrush with extra-soft bristles. Finger brushes work great on smaller dogs, while a toothbrush with a longer handle is more practical for larger dogs.
The Veterinary Oral Health Council has approved these products as safe and effective for oral health.
Bonus tip: it may be difficult to hold your dog still while you wash its teeth, depending on its personality. Giving our dog one of these soothing chews helps them relax just enough for us to get the work done with minimum disruption.
Any dog would benefit from a mixture of CBD, chamomile, and valerian root. It makes brushing much more fun for both you and your dog, in our experience.
2. Here’s another helpful hint: Throw a bone for the dog
Too much plaque buildup on your dog’s teeth can lead to tartar, which in turn can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis. We’ve covered brushing, but it’s not the only option for plaque removal.
Chewing on a hard dog treat or bone can help remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. There are also treats available for dogs that are designed to boost their oral health.
3. Third, think about incorporating an additive into your water
Adding an oral health additive to your dog’s water is another simple way to treat bad breath. In order to combat the bacteria that cause bad breath, these products combine enzymes and chlorophyll, among other ingredients.
They have an ingredient, like chlorine dioxide, that can help to neutralize bad odors, so they can help your dog’s breath both right away and in the long run.
Bear in mind that although a dog’s bad breath is often the consequence of poor dental hygiene and/or periodontal issues, it is possible for bad breath to be the result of a more serious health condition.
There may be a more significant problem if your dog’s breath smells bad, fruity, or like urine. In such case, then it’s time to give the vet a call.
