Bad Dog Breath
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How to Get Rid of Your Dog’s Bad Breath?
Dogs show their affection with kisses. However, in the case your pooch has bad breath, those smooches are a bit less desirable.
Regardless, bad breath is more than foul odour, it could mean that your pup has health issues. Take some time to find out the possible reasons behind bad breath and how to help your dog.
Common Causes of Dog’s Bad Breath
Dog owners often consider bad dog breath as nothing more than that. Here, we cover common reasons behind the foul breath.
1. Oral Hygiene and Periodontal disease
The most common culprits of bad breath are poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease. Just as with humans, a buildup of plaque and tartar can result in the growth of bacteria that trigger bad breath.
If you don’t maintain your dog’s oral hygiene, plaque buildup is most likely the cause of bad breath. Over time, poor hygiene could also escalate into periodontal disease.
A great amount of plaque and tartar buildup can separate the gums from the teeth, exposing new areas for the development of bacteria. This not only causes gum inflammation, but can lead to cavities, infections, loss of teeth, destroyed tissue, and even inflammatory teeth infection. And it goes without saying that it also leads to pretty bad breath.
To prevent a buildup of tartar, make sure you take care of your dog’s gums and teeth using ApiDent – a 100% natural and gentle toothpaste based on propolis.
2. Bad Dietary Habits
Your dog’s habits can contribute to bad breath too. If your pooch regularly checks out what is new in the trash can, that could be it. Also, it’s common knowledge that dogs are drawn to cat faeces. If you have a cat in your household, your dog could be tempted. As if that is not enough, some dogs also eat their poop or that of other dogs – the condition known as coprophagia causes foul dog breath and nausea in their owners.
3. Diabetes
If your dog’s breath seems to be fruity or sweet, make sure you take the pup to a vet. This is a possible sign of diabetes – a serious but treatable condition. Consult a professional about other diabetes symptoms that you should pay attention to such as frequent urination and drinking.
4. Kidney Disease
Poop-eating dogs could have a breath in which you can detect the smell of faeces. However, if your dog’s breath hints at urine, the reason is not urine drinking. That kind of breath is a warning sign of kidney disease and requires a visit to a vet. Kidney disease is a serious condition and it can at the same time be the symptom of another grave health problem.
5. Liver Disease
If your dog’s breath is bad and is accompanied by vomiting, lack of appetite and a yellow hue in the gums – your dog could have liver disease. Just like kidney disease, liver disease can be a sign of a critical condition and it’s important to go to the vet as soon as possible.
6. Digestive Problems
Irregular digestion and microbiome can lead to a dog’s bad breath. Other visible dogs digestive issues are diarrhoea, gastritis and vomiting. How to treat digestive issues? Apipet Gastro is a helpful supplement for maintaining digestion. That means your pet will have a regular stool, without bad breath. And you’ll be the pet parent who waved your pup’s digestive problems goodbye.
Apipet Gastro
healthy digestion of the dog
Treating a Dog’s Bad Breath
Knowing what might be causing a bad dog breath is important, but what most dog owners really want to know is – how to get rid of it? Treatments for bad breath depend on the cause. Luckily, you have plenty of treatment options nowadays.
That is, if the culprit for your dog’s bad breath is plaque or periodontal disease, ApiDent is the toothpaste that can help you prevent tartar and plaque buildup, ensuring simplified and safe oral hygiene for your dog.
If your pooch is struggling with digestive issues, Apipet Gastro can help with balancing its gut microbiome.
Also, make sure that you make your trash cans inaccessible for your dog while at home or out on the walk. Cat litter should also be out of the dog’s reach. Picking up your dog’s faeces as soon as your dog is done can aid with the prevention of coprophagia.
Diabetes and kidney or liver disease are conditions that require vet treatments. After the underlying issue is taken care of, your dog’s bad breath should be gone as well.
Prevent Bad Breath of Your Pooch
The most simple way to prevent bad dog breath is regular oral hygiene – taking care of its gums and teeth.
Important: Never brush your dog’s teeth with human toothpaste. It could contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs such as xylitol.
What’s more, offering your pooch plenty of toys meant for chewing and dental treats can help with dental care in a natural way as well. Chewing prevents the buildup of plaque and tartar and entertains bored dogs, making the dog happy and healthy. Make sure you choose toys that are suitable for your dog’s size and age.
Smaller Dog Breed Are More Likely to Develop Periodontal Disease
Smaller dogs need more dental care compared to large breeds because they’re prone to periodontal disease. Also, they tend to have crowded teeth, which encourages plaque and tartar buildup. Make sure you provide your puppies with enough chewing toys and regularly brush their teeth.
Feeding your dog with a quality and balanced diet, regular exercise and frequent visits to a vet can prevent conditions such as diabetes. Besides, keeping your dog healthy will prevent the development of many other health conditions and help your vet to uncover the main problem that is causing bad breath.
Besides doggy toothpaste, there are many other products that can help your pooch with dental care – including special diets, dental sticks, and water additives. Consult your vet who can recommend suitable products for your dog.