Your canine companion shouldn't have "minty fresh" breath, but neither should he or she leave an offensive odour behind.
There are many medical conditions that can lead to bad breath in dogs, including dental problems (such as cavities or abscesses), oral tumours, diabetes, sinus infections, gum inflammation, renal disease, and gastrointestinal problems.
While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, hopefully it indicates that "healing your dog's foul breath" is not a simple task. For a while, you'll have to assume the role of investigator. We'll start with the tried-and-true method of trial and error to see what works.
Quite perhaps, your dog's momentary bad breath is due to something it ate. Think carefully about what you feed your dog (and gets in to). Some canned foods have been linked to bad breath. Raw meat consumption carries similar risks.
If the dog often consumes garbage, its breath will have a foul odour. If any of these sound like possibilities, the best course of action is to either find a way to keep your dog from getting into the trash or to switch to a different type of dog food. If your closest buddy has foul breath after eating, try giving him a glass of water with a few drops of lemon juice in it.
If dietary factors are ruled out, then you should investigate other possible explanations. Most cases of canine foul breath can be traced back to periodontal disease. It's only natural for your dog to have food stuck in his or her teeth, just like people do.
The presence of carbohydrates in plaque and the breakdown of food particles result in a bacterial symbiosis that leads to plaque formation.
This is an issue that affects every single person. Plaque, a sticky film that turns teeth yellow or brown, builds up on a dog's teeth and cause dog breath stinks. Plaque can lead to gingivitis and possibly periodontal disease in people if it is not removed.
Regular dental care is essential for the health of dogs of all breeds. They should wash their teeth twice a day because it is the best way to prevent this health issue and one of the best ways to treat it early on.
For dogs, you can use a toothbrush made specifically for them, or you can use a human toothbrush with very gentle bristles. A finger brush fits like a glove on a finger and has bristles on the outside. It's possible that you'll have better luck brushing your dog with your finger than with a toothbrush.
If you start brushing your dog's teeth while he's still a puppy, he shouldn't put up much of a fight when you try to continue the practise as an adult. Even with an older dog, you should start by letting it smell and lick the toothpaste. You need to look for the silver lining here. Give lots of praises and try to avoid making any sudden moves. There's a chance that on your first try, you won't be able to get all of your teeth clean. More important is that you two have fun.
Don't use regular toothpaste if you're looking for a recommendation. It has a taste that dogs don't like, so don't give it to them. Store-bought and homemade toothpaste options are available for canine dental hygiene.
Mix:
- Soda bicarbonate, 6 teaspoons
- The same as about two teaspoons of salt
- Four tablespoons of glycerine
Add two teaspoons of broth, either meat or chicken-based, to
Giving your dog two teaspoons of peppermint essence can give him "minty fresh" breath. In cases where there is inflammation or gingivitis, using crushed sage leaves may be beneficial.
Always have something for your pet to chew on. The use of a commercially available dental chew can help reduce the buildup of tartar and plaque. Bones, rawhide, and dried pig's ears are just some of the treats that can help your dog's teeth stay plaque-free.
Bones should be carefully selected, with large, meaty shin and shank bones being ideal. Dogs should never be given bird bones.
It is also recommended that you take your dog to the vet on a regular basis to have his or her teeth cleaned. Tooth extraction is also necessary if the tooth is abscessed, severely decayed, or diseased.
A trip to the veterinarian is the only option. There are a variety of medical issues that could be causing your dog's bad breath, and we've discussed some of them. Each of these needs to be evaluated by your vet to decide the best course of treatment.
Monitor your pet closely for any symptoms of distress during this time. Be alert for symptoms such as profuse or bloody drooling. Does your pet's nose seem to be running or have mucus or snot pouring out of it? Is that paw touching his mouth, or what? Is he physically unable to chew, or is he simply uninterested? Do you see any swelling in his face?
Check out the action behind you, too. How's your dog's bowel movement been lately? Is he farting or what? You have problems with both the production and detection of body odour. Do his itchy feelings need to be scratched?
Did he decide to forego dinner in favour of grass? Does he look like he might be sick to his stomach? If you have any concerns, talk to your pet's vet.
Please remember that if your dog is having a serious health crisis, he or she cannot communicate this to you verbally or in any other way. If your pet continues to have breath issues, you should take him to the doctor.
