How to Get Rid of Bad Breath in Dogs

Dogs love to bond with their owners, whether that be laying on the couch together, sleeping, or even giving out doggy kisses to their owners. When your dog has bad breath, this bonding moment will not be as fun as it should be.

In this article, you will find helpful tips on how to get rid of bad breath in dogs. There are many different ways to solve this issue, so do not panic; you will be able to fix this. Once you follow these steps, you will be able to enjoy quality time with your dog without smelling the horrible smell coming from their mouth.

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Brush Your Dogs Teeth

When brushing your dog’s teeth, you need to have the right tools on hand to do so. You can’t brush your dog’s teeth with a regular human toothbrush. Get toothpaste that’s formulated for dogs since toothpaste meant for humans will give your dog an upset stomach.

One toothpaste brand that I highly recommend is the Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs. This toothpaste is safe and allows your dog to swallow it so you won’t have to do any rinsing. The toothpaste reduces plaque found on your dog’s teeth and helps fight bad breath germs. Dogs love this toothpaste because it comes in a poultry flavor, which dogs can’t resist.

Try to brush your dog’s teeth once a week if possible, this will prevent any harmful bacteria from living in your dog’s mouth. If the issues go too long without being treated, it can cause life-threatening medical conditions.

Work with your dog to get them used to the routine of brushing their teeth. Start by giving treats to help them know that treats come when they let their owner look at their teeth. Eventually, your dog will get used to it, and it will be easy.

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Go See a Veterinarian

Dental issues in your dog or even bad breath can be the first warning sign that something is wrong medically. Your dog’s vet will be able to make sure there are no other underlying conditions.

You can also schedule cleaning with a vet if it seems to difficult for you; a professional can step in and help.  Hopefully, that will solve the bad breath problem.

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath in Dogs

Fresh Herbs

There are a few different types of fresh herbs you can purchase from the grocery store that can help combat bad dog breath.

Making your dog chew on some peppermint leaves will also come in handy in keeping the bad breath in check. Coriander and margosa leaves make a good mouthwash for your dog. They can also be used to make dog toothpaste.

Wheatgrass is also something that can be clipped and put into your dog’s food to help get rid of bad breath in dogs. Try some of these options out and see if they help.

Parsley is also a good remedy in containing the bad breath. Your dog won’t mind some parsley tea once in a while. Boil the parsley stalks and then remove them from the boiling container.

Let the tea cool, then have your dog drink it or could use it as a mouthwash. Make sure you put the tea in the dog’s drinking bowl for it to think its normal water time.

Chew Toys

Chew toys also act as bones, so they come in handy in offering the best natural dog breath remedies. Chewing on a toy will help in cleaning his teeth. It will also freshen the breath of your dog up too. Hard to imagine, but it does.

One of the most popular chew toys is the Kong rubber chew toy. For better results, you can smear the inside of the toy with a dog toothpaste or a cheese flavored toothpaste. As your dog chews on the toy, he’ll start getting used to the paste, and the plaque will be softened and come out while at it.

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Apple Cider Vinegar

This one of nature’s best superfoods for humans and turns out, it’s also good for dogs. Your dog will not only enjoy the good and health benefits of apple cider vinegar, but he’ll also get also rid of the bad breath.

Start by adding a small amount like half a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water bowl. With time, you’ll realize a considerable change in your dog’s breath.

Get Rid of Bad Breath in Dogs

Teeth Treats

Treats for your dog can also be beneficial in removing bad breath, and they help with cleaning your dog’s teeth. Some actually are made just for dental care, such as the brand Greenies Original Teenie Natural Dental Dog Treats.

These treats are specially formulated to clean down to your dog’s gums as well as freshening up bad breath smells. These treats are veterinarian recommended, so you don’t need to be scared about using a product that isn’t good for your dog. This will 100% work, and the best part of the treat is that it is small and easy to digest.

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Water Additives

Freshening your dog’s breath and teeth can be as simple as them drinking water. Some products can be put in your dog’s water bowl that contains ingredients that will help to clean plaque off as well as give your dogs breath a fresh scent.

All you do is add the directed amount into your dog’s water, and they will drink it like they regularly do. A water additive I suggest is the Petlab Co. Dental Formula Water Additive for Dogs. One teaspoon is all you need in a day to help keep the bad breath germs away. This product doesn’t contain any sugars, alcohols, or any unnatural additives.

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Breath Spray

Breath spray is another product you can purchase to help fix your dog’s bad breath. It works just the way you would think it would work. You spray it directly into your dog’s mouth, and it will start to combat the bad smell with the active ingredients inside. I product that I strongly recommend is the Arm and Hammer Advanced Care Dental Spray.

This dental spray prides itself on only using natural ingredients that will naturally help the symptoms of bad breath in dogs. The spray has a lovely mint scent, so it will be pleasing for both you and your dog. All you have to do is spray the spray right onto the teeth of your dog’s mouth on each side.

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Dog Holding Toothbrush

Why Does My Dog Have Bad Breath?

The main reason for bad breath is dental related. When food particles that are partly decomposed get embedded between the teeth, they create a favorable breeding hub for bacteria.

These bacteria, food minerals, and the decomposed food team up to make plaque.

Plaque is visible on the sides of the teeth as a thin brownish-yellow stratum and causes the foul smell in dogs.

Other reasons for bad breath are abscesses, oral tumors, and systemic diseases associated with the liver and kidney.

For gum diseases, they start at the root margin building up gradually, resulting in gum reddening and eventually bleeding gums. Bleeding gums are always an easy access for the bacteria to the bloodstream.

Once the bacteria is in the blood, it can settle anywhere, such as the heart valves leading to the inflammation of the endocardium and even the heart valves. Endocarditis could lead to loss of life.

Knowing all causes for bad breath will come in handy when learning how to get rid of bad breath in dogs.

Reasons for Bad Breath in Dogs

Teething

The period during teething, most pets often produce a foul smell from their mouth as bacteria gathers around the gum line.

The bacterium accumulates on the gum line as the young fragile teeth are replaced by stronger adult teeth.

Periodontal Diseases

Bad breath is brought about by increased coalesced layers of plaque on the sides of the dog’s teeth resulting to painful gingivitis.

Gradually as the periodontal disease advances and the plaque mature, more pernicious bacteria forms. These periodontal diseases are very painful and could lead to teeth loss and heart or liver complications.

Signs of periodontal disease

  • Blood in saliva
  • Broken teeth
  • Bad breath
  • Yellow-brown tartar along the gum line
  • Swollen and bleeding gums

Metabolic Disease

These diseases disrupt the body’s metabolic balance increasing the level of specific toxins in the blood. Toxin imbalance in the blood results in bad breath.

Kidney diseases are common in dogs and results in very bad breath, especially uremia – the end-stage process – produces a sour-like breath.

Gastrointestinal Disease

It is less common compared to the periodontal disease. If the digestive tract is infected, it can lead to a bad smell emanates from your dog’s mouth. Having the dog checked by a vet for any of the causes will help get rid of the bad breath.

Tips for Brushing your Dog’s Teeth

Tips for Brushing your Dog’s Teeth

To make brushing your dog’s teeth easier, it’s good to train the dog while it’s still a puppy. By doing so, it will become accustomed to the exercise, and you’ll never have problems when doing it.

Below you will find a few helpful tips to make brushing easier:

  • Try brushing your dog at the same time every day so that your dog will learn to look forward to it.
  • The best time for brushing is after you come home from a walk or after feeding. However, make sure you brush his teeth just before going to bed because, at this time, your dog will be quite relaxed.
  • Before brushing, make sure you inspect his gum. Make the sure the color of the gums is pink, and there’s no bleeding. Make sure that there are no broken teeth. If there is any sign of the above, it’s time to see the vet.
  • Before you start brushing the dog’s teeth, make sure you introduce the paste to your dog. You can do this by applying the paste to his chew toys, or you can apply small amounts of the toothpaste on fingers and let it smell and lick it.
  • You can use meat-flavored toothpaste like a chicken flavor or cheese flavor so that the dog will think of it as a meat or cheese.
  • Do the brushing gradually starting with the front teeth, and as time goes by, you can continue to the other teeth as well as the tongue. With older dogs, you can use oral cleaners after brushing the teeth and the tongue.

Breeds More Likely to Experience Dental Problems

  • Shih Tzu
  • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Tibetan Spaniel
  • Dachshund
  • Pekingese
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Chihuahua
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  • Maltese Terrier

Bad Breath in Dogs

Conclusion

Follow the various methods and steps on how to get rid of bad breath in dogs. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly to reduce the buildup of plaque.

Add liquid additives in drinking water to soften the tartar and improve good breath. Take your dog to the vet for checkups as the key to getting rid of bad smell is prevention. With the tips offered, your dog’s breath will be as fresh as ever.

Let me know if you have tried any of these options and how they worked for you. I hope my article on how to get rid of bad breath in dogs helped you find a solution!

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