5 Tips to Deal With Stinky Dog Breath

Combat stinky dog breath with our top 5 tips! Learn about dental hygiene practices, vet-approved products, and diet tweaks for fresher canine kisses.

There’s something special about the connection between humans and dogs. “Man’s Best Friend” has earned the title after thousands of years of service, loyalty, and companionship. Very few things can come between adoring pet owners and their pooches. Unfortunately, stinky dog breath has a unique way of testing the human-canine bond to the limit.

Many things can cause bad breath in dogs. Poor oral health and nutrient-poor dog food are two common options. Fido’s hair-curling aroma could also stem from an undiagnosed health condition. If you love your furry pal but have to hold your breath while you play together, here are five possible solutions to your problem. 

1. Switch Dog Food

Many cheap brands aim to make their kibble more affordable by packing it full of fillers. These ingredients add bulk to the product but have little to no nutritional value. Some, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) may even be harmful to your dog’s health. This preservative is commonly found in low-quality dog foods and has been linked to cancer and reproductive disorders. If your pooch is struggling with bad breath and troubling health issues, the underlying cause might be a nutrient-poor diet.   

You can switch to a better dog food brand to alleviate your pal’s symptoms. Your furry family member needs a balanced diet to maintain good health and energy, just as you do. Many pet owners find that fresh dog food makes a night-and-day difference for their pets. Look for a brand that includes nutrient-rich whole cuts of meat, vegetables, and whole grains. Then, pay attention to how much better your dog looks and smells after eating a healthier diet for a while. 

2. Schedule a Dental Exam

If your breath was bad enough to scare off your family members, you’d probably schedule an urgent appointment with the dentist. And yet, too many dog owners brush off their pooch’s foul aroma as a natural part of being an animal. What they may not realize is that their pet’s breath shouldn’t smell bad enough to curdle milk. If it is, there’s probably something wrong with their oral health.

Your veterinarian can help your dog maintain good oral health with regular dental examinations and cleanings. Aim to get your pooch in for a dental appointment at least once per year. But if Fido’s breath takes a sudden turn for the worse, don’t wait until their regularly scheduled exam. Instead, see if you can get your pal in right away to find out what’s amiss and take corrective action.

3. Brush Your Pooch’s Teeth

If you stopped brushing your teeth for days or weeks at a time, your breath probably wouldn’t smell like roses. Similarly, you can’t be too surprised by your pooch’s bad breath if you fail to brush their teeth. Periodontal disease is the most common cause of halitosis in dogs. It can occur as the result of an overgrowth of bacteria from tartar buildup. Brushing your canine’s teeth regularly can help prevent this from happening.

When you begin a new teeth-brushing routine, start by rubbing a soft cloth or your finger over the outside of your dog’s teeth. As your furry family member gets used to this action, you can switch to a dog toothbrush with soft bristles. Choose the right size of brush based on your dog’s height and weight. You don’t need to invest in toothpaste. Simply wet the bristles with water and move the brush back and forth to get rid of plaque and food particles.

4. Provide Chew Toys and Dental Treats

The action of chewing on toys and dental treats is good for canine oral health. It can help remove food particles and prevent plaque buildup. Dental treats also contain ingredients that can freshen your dog’s breath. When introducing a new dental treat to your pet, be cautious. Some dogs are sensitive to the ingredients found in dental chews, so introduce them gradually to test your dog’s reaction. 

Not all canine dental chews and oral health products are created equal. Some work better than others to safely freshen Fido’s breath. If you feel overwhelmed by the rows of dental products at your local pet store, feel free to refer to this list. It shows the different dental products that are recommended by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.  

5. Check for Diseases

What if your pooch still has terrible breath despite all your interventions? Persistent halitosis could be an indication of an undiagnosed health issue. Diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, and oral tumors can all cause bad breath. If your pet has any of these health conditions, prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential.

Regular visits to your vet can be helpful for diagnosing diseases early on. But your vet isn’t privy to all the things you see on a day-to-day basis as a dog owner. Therefore, if you have noticed any changes in your pet besides bad breath, be sure to mention them. For example, if your pooch’s dietary or bathroom habits, energy levels, or sleeping patterns have changed, let your vet know.

If you’re like most loving dog owners, you’d do anything for your furry friend. Now that you know bad breath could be an indication of a nutrition deficiency or health problem, don’t ignore it. Instead, use the tips above to freshen your canine’s breath while boosting their overall health in the process.