6 Simple Home Remedies for Bad Dog Breath
Dogs are almost flawless creatures. They’re cute and talented; they’ve also got great personalities and temperament. They only have one glaring flaw—the smell of the breath.
If you were asked to describe the smell of your dog’s breath, “bad” would be putting it lightly, and “nasty” would be an understatement. In fact, one adjective won’t be enough to encapsulate the horror of your dog’s breath. “A bursting trash can of rotting garbage” would be the closest words to describe it.
Fortunately, you don’t need to live with that forever. (You, not them, because dogs don’t mind what they smell like.) These simple home remedies will keep your pooch’s breath smelling good so that you can appreciate those doggy kisses better. They’ll also help your fur buddy maintain healthy teeth and gums.
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Regular Brushing
It’s no secret that regularly brushing your dog’s teeth is essential to ensuring that their breath stays fresh and clean. But the importance of regular brushing goes beyond that. Regular oral care helps prevent gum diseases, tooth decay, and chronic pain.
Brushing removes toxins from periodontal and other oral diseases that may be absorbed in the dog’s bloodstream and cause damage to their heart, liver, and kidneys. That said, brush your dog’s teeth at least two to three times a week. But daily brushing would be the most ideal.
Carrots
Regular brushing is necessary for your dog’s dental health, but it’s not the only thing that works. Giving your dog a slice of carrot can also help.
A snack of carrot sticks removes tartar, which is a leading cause of nasty dog breath, from your dog’s teeth. The carrot sticks clean areas that the doggy brush can’t reach, like the gum line and the back of their teeth.
It doesn’t hurt that carrots are also rich in fiber and vitamin A, which is essential for bone growth and a healthy immune system.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is considered an all-around remedy for many human and canine health-related problems, all thanks to its antibacterial, antiviral, and ant-fungal properties. Coconut oil is good for improving the skin and coat of your pooch, improving their digestion and metabolism, and helping prevent diseases.
It’s also great for keeping your dog’s breath fresh and clean. Just add a spoonful of coconut oil to your dog’s meal to help prevent plaque and eliminate harmful bacteria that cause bad breath and dental diseases.
Important note: dosage varies according to your dog’s weight and size. One-fourth teaspoon daily is just right for small dogs, and one teaspoon to one tablespoon daily would be adequate for dogs.
Probiotics
Sometimes, your dog’s bad breath is an indicator of an unhealthy gut. That’s why yogurt, banana, honey, and kefir, which are full of probiotics (live bacteria that aid digestion and help promote gut health), can be effective at freshening your dog’s rancid breath.
Before you feed your dog a probiotic-rich food, make sure it’s compatible with their canine constitution because some human probiotic supplements can harm your dog. As always, consult your vet first to know the risks and get the right dosage level for your pooch.
Fresh Water
You may not be able to drink away your problems, but your dog can, undoubtedly, hydrate away their bad breath. Clean, fresh water can help flush down toxins and bacteria that stink up your dog’s breath.
But your dog’s water bowl can also be a breeding ground of nasty bacteria. Keeping their bowl clean and ensuring that your dog has a constant supply of fresh water prevents them from ingesting halitosis-causing bacteria.
Dental Treats
Dental treats were made for promoting your dog’s dental health. If you’re looking for treats that are good for your pooch, choose dental treats or chews that are long-lasting, 100 percent digestible, and made from natural and nontoxic ingredients. They should also be free of fillers (e.g., corn, wheat, and soy) and low in fat and should contain additional vitamins and minerals. You can also feed them raw dog treats which also help leave them with fresher breath and offer great nutrition.
The Bottom Line
Bad breath in dogs can be an indicator of a more serious problem. It can be the result of an unhealthy diet, harmful bacteria, or an underlying health condition. Regular oral care and the remedies listed above help prevent dental-related problems, promote clean and healthy teeth and gums, and keep your dog’s breath from smelling like a dumpsite.
