Commonly called “doggy breath,” it is something most of us find repugnant. In fact, a lot of owners confess they don’t let their dogs kiss them solely because of the smell from their favorite canine’s mouth. While a dog’s mouth will never smell like roses, there are a few things you can do to fix it…and a very good reason why you shouldn’t ignore it!
Symptom of a Disease
Dog owners should never ignore bad breath, especially if it is something that has appeared suddenly or has gotten worse over time. Take your dog to the vet to make sure it is not being caused by one of the many orthodontic diseases (including cancer, gingivitis, abscesses), diabetes, kidney, or even liver disease that often have bad breath as a symptom. Letting it go, can prove to be costly, and even deadly to your pet.
Once any medical conditions have been ruled out, try these fixes to help you solve the problem and turn your pooch into a sweet kisser.
5 Ways to Combat Bad Dog Breath
Teeth Brushing. Just like with people, regular brushing will not only help with bad breath, but will also help prevent dental disease. Most vets recommend brushing at least once a day.
Doggy Tea. Yup, you read right. Some nice herbal water may be just the solution to your hound’s horrible breath, and it has other health benefits too. Some home remedies include adding Dill, Parsley, and/or Ginger into your dog water (or food if you prefer) to help sweeten your dog’s breath as well as help prevent against gingivitis (dill) and help settle an upset stomach (ginger). Parsley is nutritious and an antimicrobial (http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/dog-bad-breath.html). Ask your vet before changing your dog’s diet.