AnimalsHealthCare and Well-beingOral Hygiene

How to Get Rid of Your Dog's Bad Breath

3 minutes

Last update: 11 May, 2018

Natural bacteria living in the stomach and mouth cause halitosis. You can eliminate it by eating natural food and brushing your dog`s teeth on a regular basis.

Halitosis is one of the most unpleasant things your pet can have. It’s even worse in animals than it is in humans. The following is practical advice to help you get rid of your dog’s bad breath.

Why do dogs have bad breath?

A dog’s body odor is very different from human beings and is much more unpleasant. However, a dog’s bad breath is very noticeable or rather easily detected by the nose.

This odor is not natural to a dog’s body. It’s caused by a bacterium build up in the mouth or stomach. So, when the animal breathes, pants or barks, it releases the stench into the air.

Although. this is the main cause, sometimes bad breath in canines is caused by medications or a certain type of food. That’s why there are several ways for you to get rid of the stench at home.

How to fight against your dog’s bad breath

Through diet

A bad diet can be one of the main causes for bad breath in dogs. Poor quality dog food or excessive amounts of it can cause halitosis. The BARF diet is highly recommended for fighting against bad breath.

It has been proven that, although dog food is highly recommended, it is still a processed food with additives that cause bad breath. A diet of natural foods, even for a short time, will be perfect for getting rid of the root cause of halitosis.

Through oral hygiene

Bad dental and oral hygiene also causes bad breath in dogs. It’s obvious that a dog cannot brush his teeth on his own, so it’s the owner’s responsibility to brush them. The truth is, no matter how much people love their pets and care for them, owners usually forget about their dog’s dental hygiene.

At the same time, apart from the bacteria that dogs are already exposed to, dog food also causes plaque to build up. Therefore, if an owner is not taking care of his/her dog’s oral hygiene, the dog would get bad breath sooner than expected.

Have taking care of your dog’s oral hygiene become a habit. Talk to your veterinarian for proper guidelines. Make sure to use a good quality toothbrush and toothpaste to make the fight against bad breath easier.

Homemade remedies that get rid of your dog’s bad breath

Homemade remedies usually work for pets too! The ones below are proven to work, so they will definitely work for you as well.

Give him vegetables. Not all vegetables are useful for fighting against bad breath, but parsley or carrots can do the job naturally.
Apple cider vinegar. Most people know that vinegar has a neutralizing effect against odors. You should mix it with drinking water before giving it to your dog. Some dogs may dislike it and reject it. If your pet doesn’t like it, then don’t force him to drink it, because there are other things you can do.
Always have clean water accessible for your dog. Sometimes you might forget to change the water because there is still some left overr, but it can accumulate dust and other substances that cause bad breath.
Candy. There are many canine dental hygiene candies on the market. Ask your vet, or even a pet shop, to know which ones might be more effective for your dog.

If your dog has bad breath, now you know it’s not so difficult to fight against it. Just put these tips into practice and you’ll be able to solve this problem sooner than you think.