Are there natural remedies to help my dog's bad breath?
Chew toys, high-quality treats, brushing or a visit to the vet can help combat your canine's stinky breath.
By Morieka JohnsonWed, Feb 10 2010 at 6:21 AM EST
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Q: My dog has a really, really bad case of dog breath. We've tried mint-flavored treats, but his breath is still barking pretty loud. Do you know of any natural remedies?A: One thing I hate more than bad breath is bad breath punctuated by a bottom note of peppermint. Yuck.
My sister's sweet pooch is a delightful mess of cute, gray curls. But recently she, too, developed an acute case of doggie halitosis. The feisty pint-size pooch’s breath was strong enough to peel paint off the walls, and she simply couldn't understand why we no longer wanted to cuddle and cradle her. We had to take action, fast.
Because bad breath can be a sign of bigger problems, we suggest that you do the same, starting with these tips.
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Check your dog bowls: Imagine if you had to eat from the same plate for days on end. Food, bacteria and other yucky stuff can accumulate quickly, so wash food and water bowls on a regular basis. I'm partial to stainless steel models, but ceramic bowls also allow for easy cleanup.
Change the water daily: Dogs don’t just sip water, they tend to slurp it — depositing plenty of grass and food along the way. Make sure to add fresh water daily, especially when bowls are kept outside.
Work those chompers: Keep teeth clean and canine brains occupied by investing in chew toys that work those jaws and scrape tarter in the process. Knotted hemp ropes get the job done and offer hours of tug-of-war fun. Dog chews made from deer antlers, which are shed naturally each spring, serve as a great option for strong chewers and can be found online or at indie pet food stores. I'm not a fan of real bones because they can splinter or crack a dog’s teeth. Also, I subscribe to the MNN path to greener living by reducing the amount of red meat and meat products consumed in my home.
Add high-quality treats: Dried sweet potato dog chews, cut up apples and chopped carrots clean teeth while fortifying to your dog’s diet. Remember, there may be a bit of trial and error involved, but most pooches will happily consume these goodies. When in doubt about a fruit or vegetable, check the ASPCA.com for a list of foods that are hazardous to dogs (such as avocados).
Brush up: Don’t make me channel my dental hygienist and start scaring you with the perils of unchecked tartar and the hidden threat of gum disease. (I use that horror story to scare the kids each Halloween.) Instead, brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis to avoid tartar buildup. Start slowly by using your finger and pet-safe toothpaste — human toothpaste is not safe for dogs. Peanut butter-flavored options help pooches open up and say, “ahhhhh” with relative ease. You may need a friend to lend a hand the first few times. Wuffstuff.com offers handy tips for beginners.
See a pro: Even with regular brushing, tartar buildup will require a professional cleaning by your dog’s veterinarian. This will require the dog to be anesthetized, (Do you want to scrape tartar off a Great Dane’s chompers without drugs?) and the procedure typically isn’t cheap. Fortunately, February is Pet Dental Health Month, and your vet may be running a special on all or part of the service.
Make the call today. Cuddle time with your pooch hangs in the balance.
— Morieka
Also on MNN: How to adopt a dog
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Comments
Wendy
12/01/2010 12:32 PM
Great tips! I do most of those already but I should probably wash their food bowl more.
I have been using The Pet Beverage for a few months now and that seems to really help as well! I just add it to their water every time to give them fresh water (1 or 2 times a day) and they have no bad breath. It also helps with body odor.
The product says it helps with gas too, and one of my dogs has no gas now, but the other has the worst gas. I think it is just depends on the breed. It.... More
Kay
05/02/2010 20:21 PM
My dog who has always had a ripe breath has been suffering more than usual, I was talking to someone who had also had the same problem, she had started to chop up parsley in the dogs food, as this is a main ingredient in a product that is sold by a company that sells animal products. Parsley is an antioxidant or something like that, and can help humans too, I have now started chopping up Parsley in my dog's food, and she happily eats it and does not notice it. I will now also try chopping up.... More
LauraB
02/10/2010 16:13 PM
I use a treat called Greenies, I give one to my dog everyday and it helps sort of brush his teeth between brushes... I can tell a major difference if I forget to buy more for a week!
Val
02/10/2010 15:09 PM
@Aaron Thomson
Rinsing is the key problem with your green tea and baking soda suggestion. Have you tried that method on a dog?
I don't think it's as easy to "rinse thoroughly" as you suggest.
Aaron Thompson
02/10/2010 11:21 AM
There's been an ongoing discussion thread over at www.greenwala.com on natural petcare alternatives and people in the community have thrown out a lot of interesting ideas on how to freshen pet breath without purchasing chemically-laden products. If your pet is accustomed to you poking around inside of their mouth, one Greenwala suggested creating a paste with plain baking soda and recycled green tea leaves (after.... More
