Has your dog's breath been smelling more than usual lately? Halitosis or bad breath is a common problem in dogs. There are many reasons that can lead to problem of bad breath in dogs. While sometimes the duration for which bad breath in dogs persists is a short one, a long duration suggests a deep rooted problem which needs proper attention and a trip to the veterinarian. In this article, we give the reasons for bad breath in dogs and tell you what you can do to get rid of stinky dog breath.

Reasons for Bad Dog Breath

Of the many health problems in dogs, bad breath is one of the most common issues. What causes bad breath in dogs? Given below are some of the main reasons for bad breath in dogs.
  • One of the most common reasons is poor digestion. In case a dog is unable to digest his food properly, then it is possible that the dog may suffer from bad breath, especially dog breath that has the stench of fish.
  • Build up of plaque and tartar may also cause bad breath or halitosis. Plaque is a result of deposition of bacteria, minerals, and decomposed food on the dog's teeth.
  • Other periodontal diseases like tooth and gum problems could also lead to the problem of bad breath in dogs.
There are many other dog illnesses and conditions that may be responsible for bad dog breath. It is important to know about the cause of the condition before trying to figure out how to get rid of bad breath. The different conditions that can be the underlying cause include gastrointestinal infections, kidney diseases, mouth tumors, sinus infections, and gingivitis.

How to Get Rid of Your Dog's Bad Breath

Once you know what is the cause of breath problems, how do you get rid of bad breath problem that your dog is plagued by? There are couple of things that you can do at home that are a part of general dog care that will ensure that bad dog breath is not a common occurrence in your dog.

Proper Dental Care
One of the most important things is to ensure proper dental care for dogs. Brush your dog's teeth as often as possible. A general disregard for oral care may be responsible for the bad breath problem. Use a toothpaste specifically manufactured for dogs, and use a soft bristled toothbrush. If your dog does not allow you to use the toothbrush properly, use a finger brush. A finger brush can be easily worn over one's finger. Scrubbing your dog's teeth with baking soda may also help you reduce the plaque and bacteria problems. But use baking soda as one of the remedies for bad dog breath only if the toothpaste you are using is not making any difference to the oral hygiene problems. Giving your pet dog breath mints for dogs or using a dog breath spray for him may also do the trick where the problem at hand is concerned. Most of these products work in such a way that they do not allow a build up of tartar or plaque. These dog products are available in different flavors and you can opt to use for one that your dog seems to like.

Proper Diet
While there are home remedies for dog breath problems, it is always a good idea to check if you need to change the diet that you are giving your dog. It may be possible that the raw meat or canned food that you are feeding your dog is causing bad breath problems. Also keep an eye out to ensure that your dog is not eating out of the garbage can. Remember that the food you eat is not suitable for your dog. Ensure that you give him food that is healthy, digestible easily, and also nutritious. Change the brand of dog food that you feed your dog. That may be the cause of the bad breath problems. It may be a good idea to add fresh vegetables with a crunch to your pet's diet especially vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, zucchinis etc. These vegetables help you get rid of the particles of food that often get stuck in their teeth.

If the problems of bad breath continue to persist after you have tried all the methods to get rid of bad dog breath, then it may be a good idea to take your dog to the vet for a thorough check up. Many health problems in dogs often first show up in the form of minor symptoms like bad breath. Proper dog care and regular visits to the vet are essential to ensure that your dog is healthy.