Cuddling and playing with your pup can be a lot of fun, but stinky breath can be a turnoff. The last thing you want is their hot breath in your face when it smells foul. While some odor is natural, your dog’s breath shouldn’t be unbearable. Chronic bad breath can be a sign of other medical problems such as liver or kidney disease, or diabetes.
Fortunately, there are ways to help combat bad breath at home while boosting your dog’s health too. Here are a few strategies you can try:
- Brush Their Teeth
One of the most basic solutions is to brush your dog’s teeth. It can take some time to get your dog used to this process if you’re doing it at home. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste specially designed for pets and go slowly. You may not be able to do their whole mouth at once. Start by just getting them comfortable with your hand in their mouth brushing a couple teeth at a time.
If this is not a task you want to tackle, or you’re unsure how your dog might respond, you can ask about teeth brushing as part of their next grooming or veterinary appointment. Professionals can provide a deeper, more thorough cleaning to help ward off bad breath.
- Give Them Chew Toys or Bones
Hard bones and textured chew toys can be a great way to keep your dog busy while also helping to clean their teeth. As they gnaw and bite at the toy, it loosens and scrapes away fresh tartar buildup. Plaque can be a major culprit when it comes to smelly breath, so regular play time where they are chewing on a pet-friendly bone or toy can be beneficial. Just make sure the bone doesn’t splinter off and become potentially dangerous.
- Try Breath Treats
There are plenty of pre-made treats you can buy that are geared toward freshening your pet’s breath. Look for products made with natural ingredients that are healthy for your dog. A treat a day can help keep bad breath under better control.
- Make Homemade Treats
There are also treats you can make right at home to make your dog’s breath smell a little sweeter. Keep carrots, celery, or apple slices available as a healthy snack for your dog. These crunchy veggies and fruits can naturally scrape away plaque and tartar and taste great too. Another option is to add a small drizzle of coconut oil to your dog’s food, or a sprinkle of curly leaf parsley.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try making your own sweet potato jerky by cooking strips of sweet potato sprinkled with parsley slowly in the oven at a low temperature. You can also make frozen dog treats using yogurt with probiotics. Probiotics can improve gut health and in turn help combat foul breath.
Talk to your veterinarian about ways to freshen up your dog’s breath and to make sure there aren’t other health conditions affecting their breath. Make it a point to have their teeth professionally cleaned a few times a year to stay on top of any tartar buildup and reduce risk of periodontal disease.
Don’t forget to pack their breath treats or favorite bone the next time you board them at Lake Wylie Pet Resort so they can stay stick with their routine. Scheduling a grooming appointment can make sure they look their best when you pick them up as well! Contact us today to schedule your dog’s next stay.