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5 tips to get rid of stinky dog breath
Do you want to accept your dog's love and kisses? But pull back when they get too close because of their stinky dog breath? Some dog owners ignore smelly dog breath, thinking it's normal. However, it can indicate various medical issues.
In this article, we look at why your dog's breath smells bad and give 5 tips on how to fix it.
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What are the causes of stinky dog breath?
Stinky dog breath (also known as halitosis) can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of the most common include:
. Plaque and tartar: Plaque and tartar on your dog's teeth can make their breath smell bad. Call your vet if you see this. A vet can check your dog's teeth and help you prevent it from happening again.
· Periodontal Disease: If plaque and tartar continue to build up on your dog’s teeth, this can lead to Periodontal Disease. Dental disease develops when bacteria in the mouth forms plaque, leading to tartar build-up. This tartar build up can not only lead to inflammation of the gums, but also cavities, infections, tooth loss, and tissue destruction. Recent studies have shown 80% of pets have dental disease by the time they are 3 years old! To avoid this, dogs must be seen by a vet at least once a year.
· Something stuck in their teeth: Sometimes our pups can get food, or a piece of another object stuck in their teeth. When the bacterial infection comes into play because of this, it can cause stinky dog breath. We urge to contact your vet if you think this could be the case for your pooch.
· Dietary Habits: Sometimes what your dog is eating can lead to his or her stinky dog breath. If your pet likes to eat garbage or poop from other pets, it could be the cause of their bad breath.
. Diabetes: If your dog's breath smells sweet or fruity, it could mean they have diabetes. We recommend giving your vet a call to have your dog examined.
· Kidney Disease: If your dog’s breath smells like urine it could be a warning sign of kidney disease. Kidney disease is serious and could be the result of an even more serious medical condition. This is another cause that will need a visit to your veterinarian.
. Liver Disease: If your dog has bad breath, vomits, loses appetite, and has yellow gums, they may have liver disease. Similar to kidney disease, liver problems could be a sign of a more serious medical condition, so it’s important to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
Now it's time to learn why dogs have stinky breath and discover our 5 best tips to eliminate it!
Tip 1: Brush your dog’s teeth well to avoid stinky dog breath.
To prevent stinky dog breath, brush their teeth regularly. It's good practice to brush your dog's teeth 2-3 times a week to keep their breath smelling fresh.
Remember, to clean your dog's teeth, use toothpaste made for dogs. Human toothpaste can harm our furry friends.
Our Dog Dental Care Tooth Kit at WOOOF effectively removes plaque, tartar, and eliminates stinky dog breath. The Dental Care Kit has a toothbrush with three heads and toothpaste that cleans well. It has natural ingredients and is good for puppies and adult dogs.
We also suggest using our pack of five Dental Silicone Dog Finger Brushes to easily and comfortably clean your dog's teeth.
View the clip below to see a demonstration of how our Belle has her teeth cleaned!
Tip 2: Provide your dog with chew toys to prevent stinky dog breath
Did you know that chew toys can actually help fix stinky dog breath? It’s true! When dogs chew on their toys it can clean their teeth by removing plaque and tartar.
Dog Dental Chew Toys are an even better solution than just the regular example of chew toys. For example, our Recyclable Rubber Pacifier Dental Dog Chew Toy has a rubber pacifier that can be recycled. It also has texture, ridges, and nubs to stimulate your dog's mouth and clean their teeth.
For strong dogs, we have the Nylabone Power Chew Bison Flavour, a tough chew toy made from durable nylon. The bristles raised during chewing can help clean your dog’s teeth and freshen their breath.
See below for our full range of chew toys that will keep your dog satisfied and breath smelling fresh.
Tip 3: Give your dog dental treats to get rid of stinky dog breath.
To treat stinky dog breath at home, give your furry friend dental treats. Dental treats help with dental health and stop bad breath in dogs. However, remember that they don't replace brushing their teeth.
Chewing dental treats helps your dog by removing plaque and tartar. This lowers the chances of dental issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. Dental treats also often have a textured surface that provides a gentle massage to the gums, promoting a healthier gum tissue.
Denzel’s Dental chews are both healthy and sustainable using only 100% natural ingredients with no added sugar or nasties. They taste good, clean teeth, freshen breath, and maintain gum and oral health for dogs. For the best results, we recommend giving your pooch a healthy dental chew every day! Denzel’s Dental chews come in a range of options depending on your dog size.
Alternatively, for puppies, Whimzees Dental Dog Treats are twice as effective in reducing plaque and tartar, thus reducing stinky dog breath. They also last 3 times longer than leading competitors for more cleaning time per treat! Whimzees Dog Treats are free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, gluten, and meat. This makes them an excellent choice for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities.
See below for some of the brilliant dog Dental Treats we have available!
Tip 4: Ensure your dog has a balanced diet to avoid stinky dog breath
It’s important to feed your dog high-quality food that supports good oral health. Sometimes an imbalanced diet can worsen your dog’s breath, especially if their diet is heavily meat focused.
Dry kibble can help to clean their teeth as they chew. To avoid stinky dog breath, limit feeding your dog excessive amounts of scraps from human foods, especially those that are sugary! This is because they can contribute to dental problems and bad breath in our four-legged friends.
Instead, try adding lemon, parsley, or special additives to your dog's food or water to keep their breath fresh. We suggest using the Dental Powder to freshen dog breath and improve teeth health by gently removing plaque and reducing tartar. The dental powder is made from plants and is easy to use. Just simply mix a scoop into your dog's food bowl.
Tip 5: Access to fresh water helps eliminate stinky dog breath
To eliminate stinky dog breath, ensure that your furry friend has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Water keeps your dog hydrated, flushes bacteria from the mouth, and freshens their breath.
It’s also important to make sure that your dog bowls are cleaned regularly. A germ study by NSF in 2011 found that pet bowls are the fourth most germiest object in the home! Therefore, dishes such as these should be thoroughly washed daily. Stainless steel dog bowls are better than plastic and ceramic ones because they are less likely to have bacteria.
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Tips to get rid of stinky dog breath by WOOOF
We hope these 5 tips helped you say goodbye to your dog's stinky breath!
If needing more guidance, we recommend having regular veterinary check-ups as vets can identify any underlying dental issues your dog may have and be able to provide appropriate treatment and guidance!