Like humans, dogs can be prone to having bad breath for a host of different issues. Most pet owners aren’t aware that their furry companion’s foul breath can be caused by something as simple as poor dental hygiene—and likewise, something as complex as a degenerative disease of the digestive tract. Dehydration can be another cause of your dog’s smelly breath, so it’s important to ensure Rover has access to water at all times. But, the most likely reasons for bad dog breath can be summed up in a really short list: tartar and plaque buildup, and less than optimal diet.
DIY Dog Treats For A Quick End To Fido’s Foul Mouth
Most people don’t have the time to make their own dog treats at home… or do they? DIY dog treats don’t have to take up a ton of time, are really quite simple to make, and are a lot easier on the pocketbook than you might think.
One quick and simple way to make your own breath-freshening dog treats is to grate one small bag of baby carrots, combine with one-half cup of coconut flour and two tablespoons of peanut butter. To give these treats the fresh kick they need to improve the smell of Rover’s breath, simply add two teaspoons of coconut oil, a few sprigs of pre-grated mint (which you can buy right in the produce aisle), and half a teaspoon of clove. If you give your dog one treat per day, this batch of treats will last about 10 days and cost you less than $7 to make—a small price to pay to keep yourself from catching the business end of an open garbage can every time you go in for a kiss!
Helpful hint: Never use essential oil of clove for dogs or cats, only use small amounts of grated, food-grade cloves to improve dog breath. According to “Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals” by Kristen Leigh Bell, clove essential oil contains phenylpropane eugenol, which can burn the oral cavity.
Change Your Dog’s Diet To Bring On Fresh Breath Over Time
If you’re currently feeding your dog cheap, processed, dry dog kibble that contains corn or barley as the number one ingredient, there’s a good chance this could be causing bad dog breath, especially if you’ve been using it for several months or years. To give your best friend the best breath, try switching to a limited ingredient dog food that contains a single source of protein, such as salmon, turkey, or even venison or bison. These foods are typically sourced with dog health—and not the price tag—in mind.
With this in mind, it’s important to note that grain-free foods that have heightened in popularity in recent years can actually be harmful to canine health over time, according to the FDA. That’s because they are made with recipes that include short amino acid chain legumes to forego the use of fillers such as corn and wheat, which aren’t actually bad for your dog—or his breath—as long as they aren’t the number one ingredient.
To give your dog optimum health and energy while maintaining his energy and pleasant breath, keep in mind that limited ingredient dog food and grain-free dog food are not the same thing. For best overall results in wellness and in breath, stick with household brands that do all of their own dog food research and development, such as Purina, Hills Science Diet, and Royal Canin.
Helpful hint: Science Diet and Royal Canin both offer prescription diets specifically for bad breath and the digestive issues that could be at the root of your companion’s less than desirable breath.
Open Season For Canine Oral Health
If you say you’ve tried everything to freshen your dog’s breath but haven’t yet invested in a dog toothbrush and meat flavored toothpaste, you have absolutely not exhausted your canine oral hygiene options. But, there are a few tricks to the trade, and some real bonuses you may not have considered as well.
- Buy the kind of dog-friendly toothbrush that brushes both sides of each tooth at once—this will keep you from having to do the hard work of doubling back—and doubling your effort.
- Get oral gel that’s meat flavored—this ensures your dog won’t detest the process
- You have to commit to brushing every single day no matter what—a missed day of brushing your dog’s teeth puts you right back at square one.
- As you brush, pay close attention to the oral cavity—these are more reasons why consistent daily brushing is so important:
- Is what you’re doing working?
- Are there new cavities that require attention?
- Is there a lesion from a fight that needs a vet’s attention?
Helpful hint: Brushing your dog’s teeth can be a real bonding experience once you get into the swing of it. If you give your pup a breath freshening treat after brushing, he’ll begin to look forward to it, and he’ll be far likelier to cooperate as he learns to look forward to your daily routine.
That’s All Helpful, But My Dog’s Mouth Is Still A Stinky Mess…
Does that sound like you? If so, there’s one other thing you can try: OxyFresh Premium Pet Dental Care Solution. This beyond basic solution to bad dog breath not only freshens up a foul mouth, it also gets rid of tartar and plaque, helping to stave off gum disease and cavities for as long as you use it.
And, if you thought making DIY dog treats sounded like a hassle, you’ll love the directions for this doggy dental care routine:
- Step one: Add Oxyfresh Premium Pet Dental Care Solution to your pup’s drinking water.
- Step two: Walk away, because you’re done!
But beyond being easy to do, Oxyfresh offers truly superior results for your dog’s oral health. As a veterinary recommended water supplement for canines (and felines!), Oxyfresh is made with premium ingredients that truly stop bad breath by whittling down tartar and plaque over a few weeks or less. Other solutions simply mask bad breath, but the Oxyfresh non-toxic formula eliminates it at the source by killing the bacteria that not only cause bad breath, but that cause periodontal disease that can cause great harm to your dog’s mouth, and even eventually her heart, if not treated.
Oxyfresh is cruelty-free, made in the U.S., and is entirely chemical and paraben-free. So, if you don’t have the time to brush every day or make your own treats religiously, fear not. Oxyfresh really works, is backed by veterinary professionals, works fast, and won’t break the bank.
It’s a real mouth-opener
Bad breath in dogs can be a sign of serious health concerns, so always check with your vet first to make sure there isn’t something serious going on if your four-legged friend has some seriously sour breath. Periodontal disease and even a cavity that goes unnoticed can not only cause great harm, but great pain for your pal. Follow the above tips to keep these things from happening, and always remember: a dog you can kiss is a dog that feels loved—and it’s up to you to make sure he’s kissable!
