{"id":21762,"date":"2022-09-07T06:55:21","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T12:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=21762"},"modified":"2022-10-13T06:36:26","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T12:36:26","slug":"how-to-fix-bad-dog-breath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/dogs\/how-to-fix-bad-dog-breath","title":{"rendered":"How to Fix Bad Dog Breath without Wearing an N95 Mask"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s sweet your dog wants to cozy up to you and lick your face. Except, that breath is atrocious! If you find yourself dreading your best friend\u2019s doggie breath, you probably want to know what you can do about it because let\u2019s face it, breath mints aren\u2019t an option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thing to know about bad dog breath is that it\u2019s more than unpleasant; it could be a sign of health problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dog\u2019s mouth is a window into their overall health because that stinky breath can signify liver, kidney, or gum disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, you can fend off health problems and dental disease by finding out the common causes of bad breath and ensuring your pooch gets proper dental care. After all, teeth brushing is not just for people!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Causes of Bad Dog Breath <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Sure, your dog\u2019s breath might stink because of something they ate. Pet parents know their dog is not as selective as they\u2019d like about what goes into their mouths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decaying squirrel? Yes, please! Let me shove my snout in for a good sniff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might be gross to us, but our pups have a whole different take. However, rotting things isn\u2019t the only reason your dog\u2019s mouth might smell foul. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are four potential causes for why your dog\u2019s breath smells. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Periodontal Disease <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Periodontal disease or gum disease is common in dogs. In fact, some veterinarians say gum disease <\/a>affects 80% of dogs and cats (or more.) It shows up in red, irritated gums and darkened teeth where your dog\u2019s teeth meet the gums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at your dog\u2019s teeth and gums. Are the gums a healthy pink? Or do they look red and irritated? What about the teeth? Are they clean and white? Or are they dark in places? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tartar and plaque buildup hang out along the gum line and between the teeth, leading to dark marks on the teeth. This lack of oral hygiene leads to bad dog breath if left untreated. Besides bad breath, plaque and tartar also cause blackened, rotten teeth, cavities, and infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best oral health treatment is a deep dental clean at your veterinarian\u2019s office, followed by at-home maintenance with regular brushing and dental chews.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Eating Unsavory Things <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We love our dogs, but some of them make – how do we say – questionable dining choices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From snarfing rotten garbage to snacking on kitty poop, our beloved dogs will eat gross things if they can get to them. To put the kibosh on such dining habits, you\u2019ll want to keep your dog out of the trash and away from the kitty litter box. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Related reading: What Is Puppy Breath?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Kidney Disease<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you may know, the kidneys are essential to your dog\u2019s health. The purpose of the kidneys is to filter blood and clean out toxins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the kidneys function well, your dog eliminates the waste through his urine. However, if his breath smells like urine, that can be a sign of kidney disease because of toxins in the bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Liver Disease<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Terrible breath can also be a symptom of liver disease, thanks to a build-up of toxins. Other symptoms of liver disease are a bloated abdomen, yellowing corneas, vomiting, and weight loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacteria in the bloodstream (from ignored oral hygiene) can lead to liver or kidney disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Fix Bad Dog Breath & Promote Good Oral Health<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Imagine how your breath might smell if you never brushed your teeth. Your best friend is the same. They also need good oral hygiene if they\u2019re to have fresh breath and good health. Regular brushings (with beef-flavored toothpaste!), dental chews, and dental cleanings promote good oral health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you start regular brushings when your dog is a puppy, you\u2019ll have an easier time convincing them to let you brush their teeth later. Special pet toothpaste is safe for your pup to swallow and is in dog-friendly flavors like chicken and beef. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special dental treats help clean your dog\u2019s teeth by reducing tartar and plaque buildup. The scraping action of tooth against chew really does help scrap the teeth clean. Dental chews are an excellent addition to your arsenal of doggie dental health aids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another thing that helps is chew toys with nylon threads. Some can act as dental \u201cfloss\u201d to reduce the plaque buildup on your dog\u2019s teeth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water additives can also support good oral health and prevent tooth decay. These additives have enzymes that reduce plaque buildup. You can add these to your dog\u2019s water as an extra layer of protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip: If your dog’s bad breath isn’t related to underlying health issues, try mixing your dog’s food with a little bit of plain Greek yogurt.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Related reading: How to Teach Your Dog to Love the Toothbrush<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to Brush Your Dog\u2019s Teeth<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Like nail trimming and ear cleaning, it\u2019s easiest to acclimate your dog to regular toothbrushing when they\u2019re puppies. However, no matter your dog\u2019s age, you\u2019ll want to introduce it slowly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Introduce your dog to the idea of teeth brushing. You can start with your bare finger or a soft cloth wrapped around your finger and gently rub your dog\u2019s teeth. <\/li>
  2. Add toothpaste. Once your pup is ok with you touching his teeth, it\u2019s time to add dog toothpaste. Do use pet-safe toothpaste because dogs tend to swallow it. A lot of human toothpaste has ingredients that aren\u2019t good for dogs. For example, sweeteners like xylitol<\/a> can be toxic for our four-legged friends, yet, it\u2019s in many people’s toothpaste. <\/li>
  3. Introduce your dog to the toothbrush. Let them sniff it, lick it, paw at it but maintain your hold on it and brush your dog\u2019s teeth. You can start with the sharp canine teeth or whichever you can get to the easiest. Don\u2019t feel you have to brush all your dog\u2019s teeth at once, either. You can start slow and do just a section at a time until your dog is more accepting of the process. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Ideally, you\u2019ll work your way up to daily brushing in between deeper veterinary teeth cleaning. Then, you can add water additives and dental chews to help reduce tartar buildup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As you can see, dental care is essential for your pup\u2019s health, so if it\u2019s been a while since your pooch\u2019s last checkup, it makes sense to schedule one as soon as possible. That way, your pup\u2019s breath will be fresh, and you\u2019ll have a health update. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mint-infused chew toys to help between brushings<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Orbee-Tuff Football Treat-Dispensing Dog Chew Toy, Brown<\/h3>\n\t\t\t

    Play ball with Outward Hound’s Sport Ballz treat stuffer toys! With different sizes and sports to choose from, like basketballs and soccer balls, these bouncy yet durable fetch and treat-dispensing dog toys provide the playtime enrichment your sporty, treat-loving dog craves. Sport Ballz are made with our signature Orbee-Tuff material that is tough yet gentle on dogs’ teeth, providing the perfect amount of…<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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