How to Cure a Dog’s Bad Breath
You love petting and playing with your darling pooch, but when he runs to you and gives you a sloppy kiss, you just can’t stand it. He’s got very bad breath. It’s not uncommon for pets to have unpleasant smelling breath; after all, they don’t brush and floss like humans do. When the stink is starting to become unbearable, it’s time you get rid of your doggie’s bad breath once and for all.
Oral Hygiene Improvement
Brush his teeth. Use a toothpaste made especially for dogs (these usually come in flavors like poultry and beef). If your dog feels nervous with this, use your finger instead of a toothbrush at first, moving it gently in a small and circular motion, starting at the gum line then moving over the teeth. Never use toothpaste made for humans, as these can be dangerous, even deadly. Soon, you can move on to using a toothbrush.
Use baking soda as a toothpaste alternative. Dampen a cotton ball or a q-tip with some water and sprinkle baking soda on it. When your dog is relaxed, scrub his teeth gently with the baking soda. Make sure you don’t rub the gums, though, or they will bleed. Make your pet drink water afterwards.
Give your dog some mouthwash. This will help kill bacteria and fight gum disease. Do this after you’ve brushed his teeth. Spritz the mouthwash with a spray bottle, so you won’t have any difficulty.
Provide him with chew toys. Playing and chewing on toys rub and remove the debris from the surface of the teeth. Make sure they are made from a durable material and wash them regularly.
If you find it difficult to brush and clean his teeth, take your dog to a veterinarian for professional cleaning. If your dog is neurotic, this is a better option.
Change In Diet
Lessen his soft dog food. A diet of soft and canned dog food might be the main culprit. Switch to dry dog food instead and see if it makes a difference. If you feed your dog raw meat too, stop the habit as well.
Feed him dry foods that scrap his teeth. Examples are dry doggie biscuits or bones. Munching on these help scrap the food and tartar buildup. If your doggie likes veggies, feed him raw carrots, too.
Make him stop eating feces or garbage. Many dogs are prone to this condition, popularly known as coprophagy. Stop this unpleasant and dirty habit. Here are more tips to help you.
Give your dog a dental treat. There are specially-formulated edible chews that reduce tartar build-up on teeth and helps maintain dental health. Give these to him every time you finish brushing his teeth and giving him mouthwash.
Dental Problems Or Internal Diseases
Inspect his mouth. Shine a flashlight at the back of his throat and see if it is covered with mucus. If it is, your dog might have a sinus infection.
A liver or kidney disorder, or gastrointestinal problems may also trigger bad breath. If your dog has these symptoms, bring him to the vet immediately.
Eating difficulty
Difficulty swallowing or dysphagia
Oral pain
Depression
Abnormal drooling
Smelly or bloody oral discharge
Don’t let your beloved pet suffer from bad breath. With these easy steps, you can cure this dilemm and bring back your dog’s happy and fresh smile!