How to Get Rid of Puppy Breath

It's hard to enjoy cuddling and playing with your puppy if the smell of its breath makes you want to run to another room. Puppies and dogs can have bad breath if their teeth aren't clean or if there is another health problem. Plaque buildup can lead to gum disease and puppy breath. Keeping your puppy's teeth clean is as important to its health as exercise and a balanced diet.

Things You'll Need

Dog toothbrush
Dog toothpaste
Rawhide or bone chews
Hard dog food

Instructions

- 1
  Brush your dog's teeth at least twice a week. Start when your dog is a puppy to help it get used to having its teeth cleaned. Purchase toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for dogs. Don't use your toothpaste on your puppy's teeth. It can be toxic. Gently pull your dog's lips aside and open its mouth to brush its teeth with the toothbrush.
- 2
  Feed your dog hard kibble that is an appropriate size for its breed and size. Hard dog food can scrape plaque from your puppy's teeth and prevent puppy breath. Puppies and small breeds should have smaller kibble pieces to prevent their teeth from breaking. Large breeds do best with larger chunks of kibble.
- 3
  Provide your puppy with chews and treats that will clean its teeth. Rawhide chews and bones can scrape plaque from your dog's teeth and eliminate puppy breath. Chewing, for a dog, can have an effect that is similar to when humans floss between their own teeth. Purchase chews for your dog regularly, along with treats, such as Greenies, that are specifically designed to clean your dog's teeth and freshen its breath.
- 4
  Schedule a dental cleaning with your veterinarian at least once a year. Dogs are usually anesthetized during this process. Your vet can remove plaque buildup that causes puppy breath. Regular dental cleanings also give your vet a chance to check up on your dog's overall health and ensure that diseases such as cancer, diabetes or kidney disease aren't the cause of the puppy breath.