What you need to know about why your dog has bad breath
and what you can do about it!
Bad breath in dogs |
Dog breath cure - what causes bad breath? |
Dog breath cure - how can I ascertain the cause of my dog’s bad breath? |
Dog breath cure - when is the right time for your dog to visit your vet? |
Dog breath cure - how is bad breath treated?
Dog breath cure - how can I prevent my dog from having bad breath? |
Please note:
Bad breath in dogs
We are all familiar with bad breath (halitosis), when we smell it.
Bad breath in dogs is the result of a build-up of odour-producing bacteria either in it's mouth, lungs, gut and other major organs.
Therefore, if your dog suddenly develops persistent bad breath take it as a warning that your pet will be in pain and needs urgent vet care, followed by a daily dental cleaning routine that you can easily put into place at home.
Remember, like humans, healthy dogs don't suffer from bad breath
Dog breath cure - what causes bad breath?
Most often, bad breath in dogs is caused by Dental or Gum Disease. Certain breeds, particularly small dogs are especially prone to Plaque and Calculus (Tartar).
However, persistent bad breath can also indicate serious Bacteria in the Mouth, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system and other major organs.
Dog breath cure - how can I ascertain the cause of my dog’s bad breath?
Your family vet is the best person to actually pinpoint the cause of your dog's bad breath. He or she will do a physical examination and may even ask for some lab work to be carried out.
Be prepared to answer questions about:
- The food you feed your dog.
- If you have an established Home Dental Care routine.
- Your pet's general health, e,g, whether you walk your dog regularly and his or her behaviour in general.
Dog breath cure - when is the right time for your dog to visit your vet?
If your dog’s breath suddenly has an unusual odour, please take it to visit your vet immediately.
The following cases can indicate medical conditions which need immediate treatment:
- Breath that smells like urine can often be a sign of kidney disease.
- Unusually sweet or fruity breath could signal diabetes, particularly if your dog has been urinating or drinking more frequently than usual.
- An unusually foul odour accompanied by lack of appetite and or vomiting - yellow-tinged gums or corneas could indicate a liver problem.
Dog breath cure - how is bad breath treated?
Treatment options depend on your vet’s diagnosis.
- If plaque and calculus (tartar) are the culprits, your dog might need a Professional Cleaning, which will involve a general anesthetic
- If it’s a problem connected to Diet, you may have to change your dog’s regular food
- If the cause is gastrointestinal or a malfunction/or Bacterial Infection of your dog’s liver, kidneys, or lungs, your vet will advise you on the best treatment plan for your pet.
Dog breath cure - how can I prevent my dog from having bad breath?
Many people assume that bad breath in dogs, especially senior dogs, is a “given.” But that’s simply not true. In actual fact, being pro active about your dog’s oral health can add up to another 5 years to its lifespan
- Take your dog to your vet at least once a year to have its teeth checked out
- Feed your dog a human grade raw meat, soft bones (chicken necks and beef brisket bones) and fresh steamed veggies. Raw veggies or fruit are excellent as in between snacks for you dog, but should neve be given with protein because they could cause Bloat which is something all dog parents should avoid like the plague
- Encourage your dog to chew raw soft Bones, e.g. chicken necks and and soft brisket bones. Never give your dog cooked bones because they can shatter inside your dog's intestines, and cause perforation of his or her bowel
- Add a dill seed infusion or coriander seed infusion to your dog’s water. Dill and coriander, have antibacterial properties to get rid of the oral bacteria. Dill can also improve your dog’s appetite and digestion. Coriander in your dog’s diet helps with regard to deterring mosquitoes
- Brush your dog's teeth immediately after he or she has eaten, if you are hooked on feeding you dog on kibble or canned food, please visit our sister site for a huge variety of natural, Allergy Free Dog Foods
- Visit our Dog Dental Care Products section.
- Never use human toothpaste for cleaning your dog's teeth. Human toothpastes are designed to be rinsed out, and dogs can't rinse. Please see our recommended natural toothpaste range at Dog Dental Care Products
Please note:
It is of paramount importance that at the first indication of bad breath you make an appointment for your pet to be thoroughly examined by your family vet.
Once you have received the green light from your vet and Fido doesn't have any underlying medical conditions you can keep his teeth and gums in tip top condition by:
This article and information forms part of the Carole's Doggie World Library and is presented for informational purposes only.The information is not intended to be a substitute for visits to your local vet. Instead, the content offers the reader information researched and written by Carole Curtis for www.carolesdoggieworld.com