Pets, Fish, Animals - Facts and Tips

Dog Bad Breath Remedies, Natural Cures and Prevention of Halitosis

Many people put up with their dog's bad breath, calling it "doggy breath" and laughing it off. Dog bad breath that is caused by the dog eating something foul can be easily addressed. These episodes of bad breath cause by food generally improve in a couple of days.

Persistent bad breath that does not improve one or two days after changing the diet, cleaning the dog's teeth. improving mouth hygiene, usually means that something is wrong, either in the mouth or somewhere else in the body.

Dog bad breath is known as halitosis. It is mostly caused by a build-up of odor-producing bacteria in the dog’s mouth, gut or lungs. It can also be a sign of problems with the dog’s liver, kidneys and several metabolic and intestinal problems such as diabetes, kidney disease and various aliment of the gastrointestinal tract.

The most common causes are poor diet, gum disease, tooth decay, unclean teeth, and a build up of plaque or food residues in the mouth.

This article provides a guide to the diagnosis of the common cause of bad breath in dogs, natural home remedies, prevention strategies.

There is particular emphasis on cleaning teeth, mouth and dental hygiene, which are the most frequent causes of halitosis in dogs.

Don’t put up with 'doggie' breath any longer. Fix it now!

Causes of Dog Bad Breath

Dog bad breath can be caused by a lot of reasons, from a poor diet, dental and gum problems to more serious health issues such as diabetes, kidney disease. Sometimes it occurs intermittently. It is when it persists that solutions beyond changes in diet, herbal remedies and better dental hygiene may be required. Many people get used to it and regard it as something that is common as dogs get older, but this is not the case.

If your dog suffers from chronic bad breath even when you are feeding it a high quality diet and there are no signs of tooth decay or build up of plague it may be time to visit your vet. Chronic bad breath may be an early warning sign of some underlying potentially serious health problem.

The common causes of bad breath in dogs are:

Diet - Many dogs on poor-quality diets may develop bad breath. Switching to natural, whole foods and organic diets can often alleviate the problems. Check that your dog is not eating rubbish and other foods that you may not be giving them. Your vet will be able to recommend a diet that will fix the problem for your dog considering age, type and size.

Dental, Gums and Mouth Problems - Dental decay, plaque and simply food that gets caught between the teeth can often cause bad breath. Cleaning teeth properly and using dental snacks is one of the first things to try to eliminate bad breath symptoms. If there are signs of detal decay or gun disease you may need to visit the vet. Technique for cleaning dog teeth are described below.

Diseases - Some common diseases that can cause bad breath in dogs are:

• Tooth abscesses
• Periodontal disease including the canine version of gingivitis.
• Poor digestion (constipation, diarrhea and excessive gas)
• Diabetes
• Stomach or intestinal problems
• Liver or Kidney disease
• Mouth cancer
• Other cancers of the stomach, lungs and intestine

When Is It Time To See The Vet to Check Whether Disease is the Cause?

The following signals are warnings of potential medical problems that may require a visit to the vet:

• Breath that resembles the smell of urine can be a sign of kidney disease.
• Unusually fruity or sweet dog breath could be an early warning sign of diabetes, especially if your dog has started urinating and drinking more often than usual.
• Bad breath followed by vomiting, lack of appetite, and a yellow-tinged to the color of the corneas and light colored gums in the mouth are often signs of potential liver problem.

Herbal Remedies and Snacks for Alleviating Dog Bad Breath

Bad breath caused by indigestion, even after a change to a healthy diet, can often be alleviated using simple herbs added to the dog’s food. This can alleviate indigestion and can act as a mouth freshener.

Dill - has antibacterial properties and can help freshen the mouth by inhibiting bacterial growth. It can also help with gum disease problems. Dill can be added to the dog’s food or an extract can be added to the dog’s drinking water.

Parsley - is another excellent herbal remedy due to its anti antimicrobial properties, help with digestion and it provides a good breath freshener for your dog. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on your dog's food. You can also add parsley to any homemade food you may prepare.

Ginger - is widely known to aid digestion in humans and dogs. Finely chopped ginger can be added to the dog’d food. Soak a few slices of ginger in hot water. Let it cool and then add to the dog’s drinking water.

Dietary Supplements - If the bad breath is caused by poor digestion you can try one of the various supplements that are available that include enzymes and herbal extracts.

Snacks and Dental Treats - Your dog’s bad breath may not be caused by the general food but by the snacks fed to the dog. Many snacks are bad choices as they contain sugar, flour, preservatives and are hard to digest. Switch to better quality snacks that are sugar free, have low carbohydrate and help to clean the teeth of dogs. There are many sugar-free hard biscuits that contain herbs such as parsley and mint are good for your dog’s teeth and breath. Many dogs will also eat hard fresh fruit and vegetables such as carrots and apples

Hard Chew Toys – These toys can also be very effective in helping to clean dogs' teeth and promote healthy gums.

Cleaning Dog Teeth and Dental Hygiene

The most common cause of dog bad breath is related to dental hygiene. Plaque and tartar build-up can be addressed by regularly cleaning your dog’s Teeth. The following tips will help:

Dog Tooth-Brushing Kit - Buy a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs. Or you can make your own toothpaste using baking soda and water. Don’t use human toothpaste, which can cause stomach upsets. Special mouthwashes and mouth fresheners are also available for dogs.

How to clean Dog’s Teeth - Use the following steps as a guide:

• Get your dog familiar with the idea of having their teeth brushed, by gently massaging the lips and gums with your finger using a circular motion.
• Next introduce the dog toothpaste to the finger-rubbing routine. Or use a paste made form baking powder and water.
• Next, start using the dog toothbrush. Tooth cleaning tools are available that you can slip over your finger. You can also use a clean piece of gauze wrapped around your finger instead. These tools help to massage to the gums.
• Finally, apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush or gauze and gently clean the teeth. Give the dog a reward at the end of each session. Try to clean the dog’s teeth one a day or three times a week.
• It may be best to get your vet to thoroughly clean your dog’s teeth at the start.

Brushing Technique - Position the brush or your gauze at an angle of about 45-degrees and clean the teeth using a small circular motion. The side of the tooth adjacent cheek usually has the most tartar and plaque and needs the most cleaning. It may take time for your dog to get used to the routine. Try to treat tooth cleaning as a game.

       Source: By Mike Baird from Morro Bay, USA [CC-BY-2.0]

       Source: By Naomi Ibuki (joy) [CC-BY-2.0]

       Source: By Artem Asanov (olympus e-510) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons