6 Tips for Managing Your Dog’s Bad Breath
Does your dog have bad breath in Concord, NC? Are you tired of the struggle involved in trying to keep your dog’s breath fresh? Is there really anything you can do about it in the first place?
Although a dog’s breath may not always be pleasant, it also shouldn’t be terrible. If you notice your dog’s breath growing increasingly worse or find that her bad breath lingers longer than it should, you may need to try to help.
In this article, we’ll show you six of our top tips for how to manage your dog’s bad breath moving forward. Read on to learn more!
Dental Treats Help with Bad Dog Breath
Dental treats are a great first option when it comes to freshening your dog’s breath. They are designed to cause your dog to chew on them for a while, which helps clean their teeth. They also usually contain mint and other ingredients that freshen their breath while they eat them.
Dental treats can help in the short-term, but they shouldn’t be the only option you try when taking care of your dog’s bad breath. There may be underlying dental needs that should be addressed beyond simply giving your dog a dental treat now and then.
Dental Toys Can Be Helpful
Some dogs may benefit from dental chew toys. These toys are designed to give your dog’s teeth a “cleaning” as he/she chews on them. The more they chew, the more plaque will be scraped from their teeth, which in turn causes their breath to smell better. This also helps improve your dog’s overall dental health.
Keep in mind that some of these types of treats may be dangerous for your dog to chew unsupervised. Always keep an eye on your dog when chewing on dental treats, and remove the treat if it becomes splintered or damaged in any way.
Quality, Healthy Food Impacts Your Dog’s Breath
Feeding your dog low-quality dog food can sometimes contribute to their bad breath. If you think this could be the cause, try giving your dog a higher-quality food and see if it helps their breath improve. You may notice a difference fairly quickly in some cases.
You should also make sure your dog is being fed both wet and dry food periodically. An all-wet diet will cause your dog’s breath to smell worse. Dry food works to clean the plaque from your dog’s teeth while they eat it, which helps reduce bad breath and improves dental health.
Preventing Bad Dog Breath in Concord, NC
Many dogs develop bad breath because of the things they eat outside the scope of their own food and treats. If your dog tends to get into the garbage often, this is something you can prevent with a few changes. You may need to put your trash in a metal bin or one with a locking lid to prevent your dog from getting into it and eating garbage that gives them bad breath.
You may also need to keep your dog away from eating other unsanitary items, such as cat feces from the litterbox. These are just some measures you can take to help improve your dog’s breath.
Teeth Brushing at Home
One of the best ways to help your dog’s breath stay fresh and clean is to brush his/her teeth at home frequently. Some dogs require teeth brushing weekly, while others can go every other week.
Keeping up with a routine for teeth cleaning can make a big difference in your dog’s breath and overall dental health, however.
Some dogs may be afraid or aggressive when it comes to having their teeth cleaned. You may need to slowly introduce your dog to a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste, and you may even need to get them used to having their teeth touch first.
Teeth Cleaning at the Vet
Finally, you may want to consider having your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally by your vet. Your vet will likely recommend having this done at least once a year, although the frequency may depend on your dog’s health and dental condition as well.
Some dogs may not be good candidates for dental cleanings by the vet. This type of cleaning requires anesthesia, so dogs with heart conditions and some other underlying health problems may need to avoid dental cleanings. Your vet will be able to give you more information about your specific dog’s individual needs.
Keeping Your Dog’s Breath Fresh in Concord, NC
Was this information helpful? It’s important to work with your vet to determine the extent of your dog’s dental disease (if applicable) and to make sure that your dog is up to date on their dental health care as well. However, there is a lot you can do on your own at home to keep your dog’s teeth healthy and freshen their breath at the same time.
By following these tips, you should see your dog’s breath improving in no time. Your dog will also have better dental health and will feel better overall when you take good care of their teeth.
Mills Creek Animal Hospital is here for all your pet’s dental needs in Concord, NC. If you notice your dog’s breath is unusually bad, don’t hesitate to give us a call or schedule an appointment online.