Many people believe that when you have a dog, having to endure its bad breath is inevitable. That isn't true. Bad breath and yellow-brown teeth can be indicative of a serious gum disease that could lead to other health issues for your pet. The root cause of bad breath is plaque and tartar buildup. One remedy for this disorder is chlorophyll, a naturally occurring substance that works like baking soda by absorbing and neutralizing odors.
Things You'll Need
- Chlorophyll pills or liquid
- Quality kibble food
- Non-edible dog chew bones
Instructions
Be an informed and responsible pet owner and consumer. Chlorophyll is a common ingredient in many pet dental products, but be sure your merchandise has been tested for safety. Do not use anything for the sole purpose of treating bad breath because this condition is usually an indication of dental or periodontal disease.
Purchase either chlorophyll tablets or pills from a local pet store. Crush a pill and sprinkle it on the dog's food or its treats to help neutralize bad breath. You can also put a tablespoon or two of liquid chlorophyll in your dog's water every day, which will go through their entire system neutralizing odors over a period of time. The substance, which has a slight minty flavor, leaves a dog's breath fresh all the time instead of just eating a treat (as in greenies). As it moves through the body's system, it aids digestion, cleanses the blood and helps neutralize odors that emanate from within the dog.
Be your dog's health advocate. During the long term, chlorophyll can lessen bacteria that cause bad breath, eventually reducing the offensive mouth odor. However, dogs that have severe tartar and plaque buildup might still have some residual mouth odor.
Keep in mind that chlorophyll absorbs bad breath odor but does nothing for the health of your pet's teeth and gums. Take your dog in for routine dental checkups and professional cleaning to help eliminate the buildups that can bring about the most stubborn, resistant and unpleasant dog breath. Neglecting an infection in your dog's mouth can lead to heart, liver or kidney disease as well as tooth loss and pain.
Be aware of the positive effects of chlorophyll. It is considered a powerful detoxifier and nutritional immune system booster. Its health benefits are numerous, it's safe and non-toxic. However, it is not enough to maintain your dog's healthy teeth and gums. Feed your dog a high quality kibble diet to help scrape off plaque and tartar buildup that occur throughout the years. Also, giving the dog non-edible bones provide a scraping action on the teeth that can also help dental hygiene.