Home Remedies for Bad Canine Breath

Bad breath, medically known as ''halitosis," can also also affect man's best friend. While humans can reach for a mint to combat the odor associated with halitosis, what can a dog do? A good place to start would be having the dog seen by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes of bad breath, such as dental decay, oral infection, foreign objects lodged in the mouth or metabolic disorders. If no medical cause is found, home remedies for canine bad breath may be helpful

  1. Oral Hygiene

    • Dogs require special toothpaste and tooth brushes.

      Mild cases of halitosis may easily improve by brushing a dog's teeth, explains Eric Barchas, a veterinarian who specializes in small animals in San Francisco. Good toothpaste and toothbrushes can be found in many pet stores, or small kits may be obtained from a veterinarian's office. Never use toothpaste designed for humans. These may cause an upset stomach in dogs since they are meant to be spit out. Toothpaste for dogs can be swallowed without ill effects.

    Dental Diets

    • Crunchy kibble massages the dog's gums.

      Dogs fed soft food exclusively may become more prone to gum inflammation and dental problems that cause bad breath. Pets that are fed soft, canned diets may build up plaque rapidly, explains veterinarian Ron Hines at pets.ca. Feeding a crunchy diet, such as a dry, commercial dog kibble, will massage the gums and prevent the formation of harmful tartar. Some dog foods claim to be particularly beneficial to your dog's teeth.

    Crunchy Foods

    • Gnawing on bones may help combat stinky breath.

      While dry kibble will help keep your dog's mouth in good shape, so will crunchy foods, such as chewy treats, bones and dental treats impregnated with enzymes known to minimize the production of stinky dental plaque. Chewing on oxtails can also massage teeth and gums. Make some oxtail soup and feed your dog some cooked oxtail, suggests Albert S. Dorn, veterinarian and professor of surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville.

    Breath Refreshers

    • Need a break from your dog's bad breath?

      Don't be surprised to learn that there are actually products to refreshen a dog's breath. Your local pet store may have mouth spray for dogs and cats to treat bad breath temporarily. Another alternative is to buy chlorophyll tablets, known to aid digestion and sweeten your pet's breath, according to Cheryl Schwartz, a veterinarian in private practice in Oakland, Ca.