It's hard to cuddle with an animal that has bad breath. Getting too close causes us to inhale foul, unpleasant odors. There are many reasons why a pet may have bad breath, and taking a trip to the vet can help sort out what needs medical attention and what you can address yourself at home. Learning what is causing the bad breath and figuring out ways to deal with it can make it much easier to be close to your pet.
Things You'll Need
- Chew toys
- Natural herbal supplements
- Mouth drops
Instructions
Take your pet to a veterinarian. A vet will be able to provide a professional dental cleaning periodically. The vet also can help determine what is causing the bad breath. It could be plaque, gingivitis or a medical problem such as periodontal disease, and a liver or kidney disorder.
Get your pet's medical condition treated, if that is the cause of the bad breath. A proper treatment plan must be implemented in order to control, and possibly cure, the condition.
Brush your animal's teeth. Regular brushing might not eliminate the odor, but it can help reduce it by getting rid of plaque. Plaque is one of the main causes of bad breath in animals, as it is in humans.
Feed your pet the correct foods. Pets should be eating the foods that were designed for them. For example, you should not feed a dog raw meat or human food. Feeding your pet the wrong foods can cause gastrointestinal problems, diabetes for some animals and lastly, bad breath.
Give your pet different chew toys that clean the teeth and help prevent bad breath. The toys can act almost like a dental floss, helping to reduce tartar build-up.
Promote your pet's oral health by using natural, herbal supplements and mouth drops. Echinacea can help improve a pet's immune system and, as a mouthwash or tea, can help give your animal's mouth a healthy environment. Natural mouth drops can help fight tooth decay, gingivitis and gum disease, all while preventing infections. These supplements may not work for all pets. Ask your vet about them.