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The Not-So-Funny Reality About Your Dog’s Terrible Breath

Written by: Justin Palmer
Justin Palmer is a Certified Pet Food Nutrition Specialist and co-founder of iHeartDogs.com. Inspired by his rescued husky, Splash, he dedicated himself to learning about extending both the length and quality of her life. Splash lived and thrived until 18 years old, and now Justin is on a mission to share what he learned with other dog owners.Read more
| Published on October 18, 2016

Stinky doggie breath… all pups have it, right?

While most do, it’s not as harmless as one might think. Veterinarians now know that bad breath in dogs (halitosis) can be a sign of a far more serious condition: periodontal disease.

Your Dog’s Breath Could Be Signaling a Deadly Disease

Unfortunately, periodontal disease doesn’t just stop in the mouth. Bacteria that starts in the gums can work its way into the bloodstream and affect the lungs, the kidneys, and even the heart. In addition, this condition could be causing your dog to suffer in silence.

We Know The Solution. But We Don’t Do It!

We’ve all heard that we should regularly brush our dog’s teeth. Many of us, myself included, find this ritual especially taxing between the demands of everyday life and the fact that most dog’s absolutely abhor this ritual.

While there is no substitute for brushing and periodic vet cleanings, there are some easier to follow steps we can all take to improve the health of our pup’s mouths.

An Easy Step In The Right DirectionScreenshot 2016-09-20 21.31.39

Chewing can act as nature’s toothbrush. However, because typical dog food kibble tends to be high in carbs, leading to the accumulation of food around the gums, chewing regular old dog kibble simply isn’t enough.

Dental chews are a fantastic way to stimulate mechanical abrasion and remove debris and plaque from the mouth. In our research however, many of the products on the market contain a laundry list of questionable ingredients, artificial coloring and preservatives, or wheat and gluten. (This research actually led us to to spend over a year developing our own line of Grain Free Dental Chews)

Another way to stimulate your dog’s chewing is through durable toys with an abrasive surface that helps grind away plaque.

The bottom line is this: Whatever you do, do something! Your dog deserves the best, and while its easy to forget about their dental health, it contributes immensely to their overall health.

If you’d like to learn more about our new line of Triple Action, Grain Free Dental Sticks, please click here. As with all our products, each bag provides healthy meals for shelter & rescue dogs!

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