Whether you're a new owner or a seasoned dog enthusiast with a pack of canine companions, you have probably had to deal with awful dog breath at some point.
It's a natural part of dog ownership that we must deal with. Your furry friend can't control the smell on their own.
If you don't want to deal with the odor whenever your pooch gives you loving kisses, there are many things you can do.
There are many great products that can treat the underlying cause of bad breath. There are also numerous natural remedies and products to help keep your dog's teeth in great condition.
Best Dog Breath Fresheners & Treats if You're Trying to Get Rid of Bad Dog Breath
1. Oxyfresh Premium Pet Dental Care Solution for Bad Dog Breath
This water additive from Oxyfresh is a safe way to improve your dog's breath and dental health. It's completely non-toxic and contains no alcohol.
Instead, high-quality ingredients are used to fight off bacteria and tartar buildup. The additive is very easy to use. All you have to do is add a capful of the solution to every liter of water in your dog's bowl.
It has no taste or odor, so your dog will have no problem drinking the water.
2. Premium Pet Dental Spray To Eliminate Bad Dog Breath
This premium dental spray is very versatile. You can spray it directly into your dog's water bowl and spray it on their teeth.
It's designed to taste great for your dog so that they have no issues opening up. To take advantage of its ingredients, you can spray it along your dog's teeth and gums.
In addition to controlling bacteria, the spray will provide a pleasant smell. It has spearmint, peppermint, and aloe vera extract.
3. Tropiclean Fresh Breath Plaque Remover (Water Additive)
The TropliClean Fresh Breath Plaque Remover can improve your dog's breath for up to 12 hours. It has great ingredients, such as green tea extract and citric acid.
These ingredients work to prevent plaque buildup. It can be added to your pup's water bowl for continuous protection against odor and periodontal disease. The solution doesn't affect the taste of the water.
Once it's diluted, it won't affect the smell of the water either. As a result, your dog will not even know that there's anything in their water supply.
4. Orapup Bad Breath System for Dogs
This product from OraPup is very unique. It's a gel-like substance that contains powerful enzymes.
The enzymes reduce bacteria and prevent the accumulation of plaque on your pup's teeth. It has a beef and bacon flavor so that your dog will enjoy it. One of the things that stand out about this product is that it targets bacteria on the tongue.
It's designed to be used with a paddle that has bristles and scrapers. The design of the paddle ensures that the enzymes loosen odor-causing bacteria.
Dental Dog Treats
5. Pedigree Dentastix Dental Treats for Dogs (Chicken Flavor)
The Pedigree Dentastix are a great treat that can be used to keep your dog's teeth clean without daily brushing.
It has an innovative cross design that scrubs away plaque with ease. If you provide these treats to your dog every day after a meal, it can reduce plaque and keep their breath smelling great.
The treat is tough enough to chew on but soft enough to be eaten by dogs who have more sensitive teeth. It's available in three different sizes.
6. Milk-Bone Brushing Chews Daily Dental Dog Treats
This brushing dental treat from Milk-Bone is expertly designed to mimic the actions of a toothbrush.
The treats are shaped like a bone. However, the bone is twisted so that it can reach towards the back of your dog's mouth. Each side also has nubs and ridges to get rid of odor-causing plaque.
The treats are available in a range of sizes so that you can find an option that safe for your pup. There are also two flavors. One contains mint for a boost of freshness.
7. Greenies Dog Dental Chews Dog Treats
Greenies have a solid reputation for being a high-quality dental treat that can maintain good dental health. The delicious treats are shaped to look like toothbrushes.
The signature ridges scrub the teeth clean with every chew. The treats are also texturized to ensure that the teeth are cleaned down to the gumline.
If you're worried about your pup's teeth in the back, the Greenies are designed to be flexible. Instead of crumbling, the treats flex to provide more cleaning power.
8. Minties VetIQ Dental Dog Treats
The Minties dental dog treats are chock-full of beneficial ingredients that can keep your dog's breath fresh. These include peppermint and parsley.
There are no artificial ingredients. Everything is natural and safe for your dog. The treats feature a signature bone shape. Covering the bone, you'll find prominent bumps and dips.
The bone also has a unique texture. When your dog's tooth sinks into it, the textured treat will scrub down to the gumline.
What Causes Bad Breath in Dogs?
The main culprit of your dog's bad breath is bacteria. Bacteria can easily multiply in the warm, moist environment of your dog's mouth. Dogs don't have the ability to rinse their mouth out each time they eat something. Leftover bits of food will cause bacterial growth to get even worse.
Bad Food
The type of food you provide your pup can also play a role in the development of bacteria and odor. Inferior foods typically contain cheaper ingredients. These include animal byproducts and unnecessary fillers.
Not only are these ingredients not providing your pup with all the nutrition they need, but they can also cause some dental issues. It's always recommended that you stick with formulas that have high-quality ingredients and identifiable protein sources.
Human food should also be avoided. Most human food is filled with fats and processed ingredients that will coat your dog's mouth each time they eat. Furthermore, the moisture content of human food tends to be a bit higher, leading to more bacteria.
Plaque and Tartar
If bacteria in your dog's mouth is not addressed, it will eventually lead to dental issues. Your dog's teeth can develop a coat of plaque. It will cause your pup's teeth to become discolored. Eventually, that plaque will turn to tartar.
Tartar is a hard substance that slowly eats away at the enamel. Needless to say, it doesn't smell that great either. Oftentimes, chronic bad breath is a result of tartar buildup behind the teeth.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is the worst-case scenario. The bacteria, plaque, and tartar can cause the root of the teeth to become weak. Eventually, the gumline will start to recede and the bacteria can make its way to the bone anchoring your dog's teeth.
Periodontal disease affects dogs in stages. While it can be treated, it needs to be addressed early on.The longer periodontal disease affects your canine companion, the worse things can get. They may start to experience abscesses, bone loss, and more.
Many dogs with advanced periodontal disease have to get extractions. If not, the bacteria could cause an infection that affects various organs in the body.
One of the most obvious signs that your dog is suffering from periodontal disease is the smell. Many people associate it with rotten eggs and sulfur. Depending on the severity of the condition, you may even be able to smell your pup's breath from across the room.
You should seek veterinarian help as soon as your dog's bad breath becomes a daily problem.
Reducing Bad Breath in Dogs
Bad breath is common, even among the healthiest of dogs. It's a good idea to get your dog's teeth examined on an annual basis to ensure that dental disease isn't to blame. If it's not, there are many things you can do to freshen up your pup's breath.
Chew Toys
If your dog loves to play with toys, why not invest in a dental dog toy? These types of toys are specifically designed to remove plaque and food buildup. Typically, they're made of durable plastic and have grooves that act like the bristles of a toothbrush.
While they won't provide instant results, continued use can reduce odor-causing plaque and improve your dog's breath in the long run.
Rawhides
Rawhides are very similar to dental toys. Chewing can do a lot to improve your dog's overall dental health. Rawhides are tasty treats that your dog will love. However, unlike traditional treats, rawhides take quite a while to get through. They're made of the hides of cows or horses.
The hides are put through a long drying process, resulting in a hard treat that your dog will need to chew on to enjoy. Chewing on a rawhide scrapes the teeth, reducing plaque and bacteria in the process.
Dental Treats
Dental treats are often flavored to entice your dog. However, they may contain ingredients that are designed to fight off bacteria. Many are also designed to clean your dog's teeth as they chew.
One of the biggest benefits of a dental treat is that they can offer lasting results. They're often filled with ingredients that provide a minty-fresh smell while also preventing dental disease.
Be Careful With Dental Dog Treats
Before you get the first dental dog treat you see, you need to make sure that its a right fit for your dog. Just like dog food, there are good options and bad options. If you're not careful, your dog can experience weight gain or more dental problems.
Adjust Daily Calorie Count
Treats need to be counted toward your dog's daily calorie requirements. Many times, dog owners continue feeding their pup the same amount of kibble once they introduce dental treats. This eventually leads to weight gain.
Most treats are high in calories. You need to keep track of how many treats you provide and adjust their normal meals accordingly.
Avoid Hard Treats
Hard treats, such as dried pig ears and bones, should be avoided. While your pup may be an aggressive chewer, they're no match for materials that don't give. Dried cow hooves and beef bones are notorious for causing dental damage. Your dog may fracture their teeth, which could lead to infection.
Not only that, but bone fragments can cause serious gastrointestinal problems. Hard bones can break off into tiny sharp shards. If your dog consumes them, they may experience cuts in their throat, stomach, or intestine.
Make Sure That They're Sized Appropriately
Another thing you'll want to consider is the size. If you have a large dog, you don't want to get a treat that's made for 5-pound pups.
Many manufacturers produce dental dog treats in a wide variety of sizes. Stick with something that your dog will chew up. This ensures that they're taking advantage of the product's benefits. Furthermore, you can avoid potential choking hazards.
Natural Remedies for Bad Dog Breath
If you're looking for natural remedies that can help keep your dog's bad breath under control, you're in luck! These solutions can provide long-term benefits and keep your dog's teeth in good condition.
Regular Brushing
Humans keep their teeth in good shape by brushing regularly, so why not do the same for your canine companion? There are many great toothbrushes that are designed to work with your pup's anatomy. They can be used to remove plaque and reduce bacteria.
If you want to take things a step further, you can also use a natural toothpaste. They taste great and provide a load of benefits.
At the very least, you should be brushing your dog's teeth once a week. However, more frequent cleaning sessions are always good. Some veterinarians even recommend daily brushing. If you can't do that, you can supplement the weekly brushings with dental treats.
Foods That Help With Bad Breath
There are a few foods that are healthy and beneficial for your dog. They can be found at your local supermarket and added to your pup's daily meals.
Parsley
Parsley is a fresh and aromatic herb that works great on a variety of human dishes. It can benefit your dog's breath because of its high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll is a natural breath freshener, so a bit of cut parsley in your dog's food can make a huge difference.
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass also has a lot of chlorophyll in it. You can easily grow chlorophyll in your home and cut off a bit for your dog's food each day. In addition to its chlorophyll content, wheatgrass has a lot of great vitamins and nutrients.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has a ton of flavor and is enjoyed by many dogs. It's a natural freshener that's used by humans. Add one teaspoon of coconut oil to your pup's food for every ten pounds of body weight for long-term results.
Natural Products That Help with Bad Breath
Want to give your pup's breath a boost of freshness? These products can get the job done without the use of unwanted chemicals. They're easy to use and can make a significant difference.
Water Additives
Additives are one of the most common tools that dog owners use to keep their pup's breath smelling fresh. They're easy to use and your dog won't even notice they're being treated for bad breath.
This type of product is added to your dog's water bowl each time you fill it up. The product is very concentrated. When it's added to your pup's water, it's diluted so that it doesn't affect the taste of the water too much.
Sprays
Sprays are very similar to additives. Like human breath spray, dog dental sprays can provide a boost of freshness whenever you notice your pup's breath is getting a bit out of hand. Simply open your pup's mouth and spray a couple squirts.
Gels
Gels contain many of the same ingredients as additives and sprays. However, they're designed to reduce plaque and bacteria.
The thick consistency makes it easy to apply to your dog's teeth on a regular basis. All it takes it a couple of squirts. Your dog will lick his or her teeth, spreading the gel around the mouth.
Conclusion
While bad dog breath is very common, you don't have to settle for it. With all the great products and remedies out there, you can keep your dog's teeth in great condition throughout their life.
Not only will you be able to avoid dental issues, but your lovable pal's kisses will be much more pleasant.
Also Read: Odor Control Dog Shampoos to Remove Bad Pet Smells
