Treating Canine Bad Breath
Canine bad breath can be treated according to the underlying cause. If the halitosis is caused by gastrointestinal disease or periodontal disease, these need to be taken care of first.
The dog needs to have a balanced diet and proper dental care. A regular tooth brushing is also recommended to keep the dog's breath fresh. Chew toys and chew treats help removing the buildup plaque, keeping your dog's teeth healthy.
Natural Remedies for Halitosis
Bad breath may be cured with some uncomplicated natural remedies. You may use herbal supplements and drops as a mouthwash for your dog. Mouth drops such as Echinacea are great immunity boosters, but may also keep your dog's breath fresh.
Natural mouth drops help preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar and lower the incidence of tooth decay by preventing bacterial infections.
Use some natural plants such as the sage, myrrh, plantain leaves or neem bark, as these have antifungal and antibacterial properties. Fungi and bacteria may cause bad breath in dogs.
In addition, you can put some lemon juice drops in your dog's water and this will make his breath fresh. Make sure the lemon juice does not contain sugar or sweeteners, as these may cause tooth decay. You may squeeze some fresh lemon.
Give your dog herbs to chew; dogs like to chew on grass and they may also be interested in parsley leaves, peppermint or dill. All these will give your dog fresh breath.
Chews for Fresh Breath
Bad breath in dogs may be caused by the periodontal disease. This disease develops in time, starting with the buildup of plaque. The plaque may combine with the mineral components of the saliva resulting in tartar deposits on the teeth. The buildup of tartar may cause gum disease and periodontal disease.
To prevent this, make sure your dog gets chew treats or milk bones, which act as an abrasive agent and remove the deposits of plaque and tartar.
The chews may have different flavors and are rich in nutrients.
Diet Considerations
A poor diet or a diet that is rich in protein may cause bad breath and digestion problems. Talk to your vet about a proper diet.
Dogs that eat wet food should be given some dry treats that will remove the plaque, as wet food cannot clean the dog's teeth the way kibble food does.
Brush Your Dog's Teeth
Pay importance to teeth brushing; use meat flavored toothpaste, as dogs love the taste. Brushing on a regular basis prevents gum disease. Unfortunately, the incidence of gum disease is very high in adult dogs; over 75% of dogs over the age of 3 have gum disease and bad breath.