There are several bad breath home remedies that are effective for use in dogs. Although these remedies work promptly, they only mask the bad breath and don't treat the actual cause. Since bad breath is associated with plenty of other underlying illnesses, it's important to rule these out before using home remedies to treat halitosis.
Causes of Bad Breath
If your pet suddenly develops halitosis you should conduct a vet check as he may be suffering from a respiratory infection, a gastrointestinal bacterial infection or liver problems. Dogs are known to suffer from severe periodontal diseases due to plaque buildup and improper dental hygiene. This along with respiratory illness is the main cause of halitosis in pets.
Diagnosis
The vet will perform a thorough physical exam and conduct a series of blood tests to find out the real cause of the bad breath. If the symptom stems from an underlying condition, the vet will prescribe medicines to cure the main ailment. The bad breath will disappear once the underlying condition is treated.
If the bad breath is not associated with any periodontal disease or liver disorder, the pet is showing signs of lack of proper dental hygiene. To combat the bad breath you can use several home remedies that are safe for use in dogs.
Home Remedies:
- You can start by brushing your pet's teeth daily with pet friendly toothpaste. Avoid using toothpaste that's formulated for human use, as it can prove toxic to your pet.
- Consider feeding your pet one baby carrot a day, as this is known to get rid of the bad breath.
- Some pet owners prefer giving their pets a drop of peppermint oil. Since the oil is made from natural extracts, it's safe for use in dogs.
- Give your pet a good quality dental bone to chew on. These commercially available dental bones fight plaque and tarter buildup.
- Alternatively, administer tablets that are formulated with fenugreek and garlic, as these tablets keep bad breath at bay.
Tips for Pet Owners
Since your pet is at risk of developing periodontal diseases like gingivitis, make sure you brush his teeth daily and take him for a dental checkup at least twice a year to identify any signs of oral diseases.
Avoid feeding your pet any foods that are extremely high in sugar, as they not only damage the tooth enamel but they also increase the dog's risk of developing diabetes and obesity.
Give your pet access to plenty of fresh water so that his body stays hydrated and food particles don't stick to his teeth or other areas inside the mouth. Apart from this, feed your pet a highly nutritious diet that doesn't contain additives and preservatives. It's important to keep the pet's digestive tract healthy so that he doesn't develop halitosis.