Your doggy giving you wet kisses makes you the happiest person on earth. However, lately, your dog’s kisses smell bad. Your pet wishes to give you kisses, they get up on your knees, all close to you, but you avoid it. You google: “How To Get Rid Of Bad Dog Breath Fast?” And here, you are.
Let’s find out so you can get back to kissing and cuddling your pet.
How To Get Rid Of Bad Dog Breath Fast?
Dogs can have bad breath due to various reasons. Bad breath is common in dogs, it can be due to dehydration or other diseases. Understanding the cause can help arrive at a solution.
Gum and Dental Hygiene
Just like us humans, when dogs eat food, it mixes with enzymes and bacteria and makes a coat on teeth called plaque. Plaque can harden up to form tartar. If not brushed regularly, it can cause bad breath. Over time, it can cause inflamed gums which can lead to cavities, infection, tooth loss, and other such problems.
Unpleasant Eating Patterns
Have you noticed your dog’s habit of eating from the trash can? Do they eat poop? Dogs tend to eat poops of cats and other dogs as well. In some cases, the dog will consume its own poop. This condition is called Coprophagia. This can cause them to have bad breath. Consuming decomposing animals can also lead to bad breath.
Underlying Diseases
If your dog’s breath smells fruity, it could indicate diabetes. If they stink of urine, it can mean kidney disease. In case their breath doesn’t smell that bad but they are showing other symptoms like lethargy and yellow gums it can point at liver diseases or hypothyroidism.
How to Deal With It?
Now, that we’ve looked at causes, let’s look at ways to counter this behavior. It can be as simple as developing dental hygiene habits to making lifestyle changes.
Dental Hygiene Habits
When tartar accumulates below the gum line, it can result in periodontal disease[1]. To prevent this, regular brushing should be adopted. Brushing at least three times a week can clear the plaque and also fight bad breath.
An alternative to brushing teeth is dental treats and dental wipes. Dental treats are something like beef jerky but in a more breath-refreshing flavor. And dental wipes are like breath spray, they come in different flavors.
You can also drizzle a bit of coconut oil[2] on their meal, this can also help with bad breath.
Improving Eating Habits
There are ways to discourage this behavior. You can get a trash can with a lock to prevent your dog from accessing it. Some dogs poke and search around the trash can as a way to cure boredom or anxiety. Getting a food puzzle will keep your pet mentally stimulated.
Dogs eat poop of other dogs and cats as a learned behavior. It is also possible that they like the taste. To tackle this, you can get an enclosed litter box or simply keep the litter box at a high place that your cat can assess but not your dog.
“Coprophagia, especially if it’s a new behavior, can happen when something is medically wrong with your dog.,” says an expert from WebMD. “It can be a sign of diseases of the intestinal tract, the liver, or the brain.“
Some studies suggest that dogs that eat poop have some kind of vitamin deficiency. It is best to consult a vet, get blood work done, and provide supplements as suggested.
Precautions and Cure
Taking your pet to the vet is strongly advised, and you should have a thorough conversation about the symptoms they are exhibiting. This will help the vet to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, which is crucial for beginning the treatment process.
In addition to the recommended treatment, it is important to make changes to your pet’s lifestyle as a whole, including their diet. A healthy diet can have a significant impact on a pet’s overall health and well-being, and the vet may suggest specific foods or supplements to support your pet’s recovery.
When To See The Vet?
Dogs’ bad breath shouldn’t be left untreated. Just like humans, swallowing the bacteria and germs present in the mouth can lead to serious ailments. It can affect the liver, kidneys, and heart.
If you notice these changes in behavior just recently and if it is followed by other symptoms like losing weight, or vomiting, it is time to consult your local vet. Share your observations with the vet and follow their instructions and prescription.
Natural Remedies
(Tricks you can try at home!)
- Let your pooch snack on carrots, apples, and celery. They almost nullify the bad breath instantly.
- Your dog can sip on a lot of fluids that can help, such as apple cider vinegar, green mint tea, and even lemon juice.
- There are chew toys that you can fill with dog toothpaste or other dental treats. As much as they run around and bite and play, their teeth will get cleaner and breath fresher.
- It is also smart to garnish your dog’s food with parsley and plain yogurt or some kind of probiotic. You can get your vet’s opinion before making these changes in case, your dog is allergic to something.
- Nothing will give better results than brushing your dog’s teeth. Make sure to always use dog toothpaste, human toothpaste contains xylitol which can prove harmful for your pet.
FAQs
How to get rid of dog breath fast?
Make it a habit to brush your dog’s teeth regularly, at least thrice a week. If your pet doesn’t enjoy brushing, you can try alternatives such as dental treats or dental wipes. A rubber chew toy filled with dental treats or dog toothpaste is also a fun idea.
What kills bad breath in dogs?
Coconut oil is Antiviral, Antifungal & Antibacterial. You can use it as toothpaste or as a base for your dog’s food. It also gives a nice shine to the coat.
What can I feed my dog with bad breath?
Some foods like apples, carrots, celery, and mint naturally cleanse the bad breath away. You can also bake dog biscuits made up of carrots and apples.
Can I use human toothpaste on my dog?
No. Human toothpaste contains xylitol which can be harmful for dogs if swallowed. It is better to invest in a good dog toothpaste and use a pea-sized amount thrice a week.
What can I brush my dogs’ teeth with?
Any pet store has hundreds of options for dog toothbrushes. A kids’ toothbrush, with soft bristles is just as effective. However, if your dog doesn’t enjoy toothbrushes, you can give fingerbrushes a go.
Conclusion
Responsible pet parents need to know that although common, bad dog breath is not normal. It can indicate underlying problems, either dental or other body parts. Brushing your pet’s teeth should be part of regular grooming.
There is a lot of advice out there for: “How To Get Rid Of Bad Dog Breath Fast?” With this article, we aimed to condense all the information into one single article.
References:
- Periodontal disease. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Coconut oil for dogs: Understanding the benefits and risks. PetMD Editorial.
