How Can You Improve Your Dog’s Bad Breath?
If you share your life with a loving, affectionate dog, you know that there is nothing worse than getting up close and personal when your “best friend’s” breath is unbearable. Your dog doesn’t know he/she is being offensive, and even if he did, there’s nothing he can do to eliminate it. So it will be up to you to find how what is causing that nasty odor and then deal with it.
Just as with humans, bad dog breath is called halitosis, and it doesn’t just happen…it is an indicator that something wrong is going on inside.
What is causing your dog’s bad breath?
It isn’t normal for your dog to have prolonged bad breath, so you should not dismiss it, but look for what could be causing it. You may want to consult with your veterinarian:
- It could be related to poor Oral Hygiene or Periodontal Disease
- Plaque and tartar build-up can cause bacteria to develop and cause bad breath, which in turn can lead to periodontal disease, causing the dog’s gums to become inflamed and lead to infection, cavities, loss of teeth or tissue destruction.
- To combat this issue, either regularly brush his teeth, or have his teeth cleaned.
- You can also provide soft, raw bones for him to chew on, which will help polish and clean.
- Plaque and tartar build-up can cause bacteria to develop and cause bad breath, which in turn can lead to periodontal disease, causing the dog’s gums to become inflamed and lead to infection, cavities, loss of teeth or tissue destruction.
- Kidney Disease
- If your dog’s breath smells like urine it is possibly a sign of kidney disease which is very serious and could also indicate other, more serious problems. You should consult with your veterinarian.
- Liver Disease
- Extremely foul breath could be a sign of liver disease. The foul breath could be accompanied by loss of appetite, vomiting or yellowing gums. This too can be an indicator or a more serious condition that should be looked into by your vet.
- Diabetes
- Maybe your dog’s breath isn’t foul smelling, but is sweet or fruity which is symptomatic of diabetes. Although diabetes is a serious condition, it can be treated. Other symptoms you may notice that are related to diabetes are frequent drinking along with frequent urination. This is another condition that needs to be treated by your veterinarian.
What can you do to help prevent your dog’s bad breath?
It’s not only smart, but kind to your dog, to be proactive and prevent bad breath and promote good health by doing the following:
- One of the most important things you can do for your dog’s health is to have regular check-ups with your veterinarian. By doing this you can find and prevent many problems.
- Make sure your vet monitors your dog’s breath and teeth.
- Feed your dog good quality food, which will be better for their breath and their digestion.
- If you aren’t brushing your dog’s teeth regularly, take your dog into a groomer or someone who will clean them on a regular basis.
- Provide your dog with good sturdy chew toys, especially the type that will help clean his teeth.
- Treat your dog with quality treats.
Pawsitive Steps Dog Training believes your dog is special and that the most effective method of dog training revolves around teaching your dog what you want him to do, how to behave, how to act in their environment, and what appropriate behaviors are under given circumstances and situations.
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