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Does Your Pup Have Bad Breath? Bet You Haven’t Tried One of These Tips!

Written by: Scott H
Scott Haiduc is the Director of Publishing for iHeartDogs, iHeartCats and The Hero Company. When not working, Scott spends his time on the farm, taking care of his animals and crops.Read more
| Published on February 20, 2014
Your dog's breath could be a sign of disease
Your dog’s breath could be a sign of disease

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.

Dental Chews. These doggy chews help dogs clean their teeth by scraping off tarter and are usually peppermint flavored to help with bad breath. Do not give your dog too many, however, as they may upset his stomach or make him gain weight. Ask your vet how many you should be giving your dog a week. Watch for loose stool or vomiting and discontinue use if either occurs.

Rope Bones. Also good for dogs to chew on, rope bones act as floss, helping to remove stuck food in between your dog’s teeth and remove tarter. Unlike the chews, your dog can chew on these as often as he likes. A bonus, your dog may actually prefer these to your shoes.

Diet. Like most things that trouble your dog (and yourself!) diet has a lot to do with breath. If your dog has stinky breath, it may be as simple as changing his diet from a low quality food, to a high quality “non-grocery store” brand.

About the Author

Based in Tustin, Calif., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and works as a full time trainer. She also owns her own custom pet products company, A Fairytail House, where she makes personalized collars, leashes, beds, keepsake pillows and blankets, and anything else your imagine can think up. In her spare time, she trains and competes in herding, agility, obedience, rally, and conformation with her Shetland Sheepdogs.

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