What Can You Use in a Dog's Water to Make Its Breath Smell Better?

A dog's bad breath is often notice to the dog's owner that an underlying problem or disease exists. The ASPCA explains that ̶0;persistent bad breath can indicate that your pet has digestive problems or a gum condition such as gingivitis, and should be examined by a vet.̶1; Your veterinarian might suggest a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from your dog̵7;s teeth and to examine the areas where the teeth meet the gums. Home care recommendations may include daily tooth brushing and oral solutions to maintain your dog̵7;s clean mouth following a thorough dental cleaning.

  1. What Causes Bad Breath in Dogs?

    • If your dog has bad breath, also called halitosis, she is likely to have underlying causes, some of which can be quite serious. In addition to bad breath, signs indicating a more complex health issue include oral discharge, oral pain, bloody oral discharge, drooling, difficulty swallowing, difficulty eating and depression, according to Dr. Debra Primovic. Do not try to treat the bad breath or other symptoms before contacting your veterinarian, who will want to examine your dog and may need to perform diagnostic tests to discover what is wrong and discuss treatment options with you.

    Oral Hygiene Products With Chlorhexidine

    • If your dog has gingivitis and periodontal disease, which are caused by bacteria in the mouth, your veterinarian might send you home with an oral hygiene rinse, gel, spray or water additive that contains chlorhexidine, which cleanses your dog's mouth, helps protect her teeth and gums, prevents plaque and fights bacteria. Dr. Ernest E. Ward Jr. of Seaside Animal Clinic in North Carolina says ̶0;if you combine brushing with the rinse, you will get better long-term results.̶1;

    Water Additives Without Chlorhexidine

    • Water additives are liquids that you add to a dog̵7;s water to help prevent plaque buildup and to freshen breath. These additives typically have no taste or smell, making them easy to administer to sensitive dogs that resist more effective procedures, such as brushing their teeth and having oral rinses squirted or sprayed into their mouths. If you want to avoid chemicals such as chlorhexidine, chlorines, xylitol or alcohol, you can buy water additives that are free of those ingredients.

    All-Natural Solutions

    • You can find plaque- and tartar-control liquids that consist of all-natural, healthy ingredients, such as vitamin B, colorless beet juice, zinc and vegetable glycerin, according to doctors Race Foster and Marty Smith. These odorless, flavorless solutions are alcohol- and preservative-free; you'll add them to fresh water in your dog̵7;s bowl to complement your brushing routine. Natural homemade water additives that can freshen your dog̵7;s breath include parsley tea or mouthwash and herb teas made with fennel, ginger, peppermint and spearmint. Squeezing fresh lemon or mixing a drop of peppermint or spearmint oil into your dog̵7;s cold fresh water will cleanse her mouth and freshen her breath.