Homemade Tricks to Improve Your Dog's Bad Breath
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A loved dog is a dog that loves back. They demonstrate this affection for you in various ways. They'll jump on you, lick you, and lovingly rest up against you.
During these moments, there may be something that gets in the way of your mutual affection with your dog: strong and unpleasant bad breath. If this is the case with you, it's important that you find a solution. Not only is it unpleasant to be around, but it is a sign that suggests your dog's oral-dental hygiene is not up to scratch. This is serious, because an oral cavity which is not properly cared for can have negative repercussions for their general health.
This AnimalWised article will help you to put an end to this inconvenience, by showing you homemade tricks to improve your dog's bad breath.
What you should know about your dog's bad breath
If not properly cared for, a dog's oral cavity can act as a gateway for pathogen agents. Did you know that it's very important to clean your dog's teeth?
A lack of oral hygiene can end up causing excess plaque, which is the main cause of bad breath. Small dogs are those most likely to have a build up of plaque between their teeth.
It is important to treat and prevent dog's plaque because it can otherwise cause a bacterial, fungal or viral infection in the mouth. If this happens, the causes of bad breath go beyond the build up of plaque and may require urgent veterinary treatment.
Coprophagia (ingestion of feces), inflammation of the nasal passages or diabetes can also cause bad breath or halitosis in dogs.
What to do if they have it
If you notice that your dog has bad breath, it is essential to get it checked out to rule out any type of infection that may require antibiotic treatment. Therefore, you need to pay a visit to the vet.
It would be very dangerous to treat bad breath as a simple build up of bacterial plaque if, in reality, there is some type of infection. Whilst it's true that the owner can perform a visual examination of the animal's mouth in search of injuries or secretions, the assessment should be performed by a healthcare professional.
Once the presence of an infection or other pathology has been ruled out, you can apply various homemade tricks which allow your dog's breath to naturally improve. We'll show you them below.
Home remedies to treat your dog's bad breath
1. Parsley
You can't give parsley to your dog regularly or in large portions, as it could well be poisonous for them. However, sporadically giving them moderate amounts of parsley is an excellent remedy to get rid of bad breath.
It can be used in two ways:
- Cut a small stalk of parsley into small pieces and add it once a day to your dog's food.
- Boil several parsley stalks in water to create an infusion, leave it to cool and then put it in a spray bottle to distribute directly into your pet's mouth.
2. Carrots
If you can keep your dog entertained by getting them to gnaw away on carrots, you'll see how their bad breath gradually goes away. Furthermore, this food will provide them with very important nutrients, such as carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants that protect their body from free radicals.
The simple act of gnawing on a carrot stimulates the release of saliva and helps to get rid of remaining food from the mouth.
3. Homemade mint treats
Your dog will definitely love dog treats. Moreover, they are great as a reward and for reinforcing good behavior, making them a very useful learning tool.
You can make your own homemade treats with the aim of improving your dog's breath. To do so, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Water
- Oatmeal
- Mint leaves
The preparation is very simple. All you need to do it mix the oatmeal and water together in a bowl until you have a dough of good consistency, and then wash and chop the mint leaves and add them to the mix.
Finally, roll them into small balls and keep them in the fridge, and you'll be able to give them to your dog several times a day. This is a simple and effective way to fight bad breath.
4. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a wonder ingredient for humans and dogs alike. It helps digestion, boosts their immune system and freshens their breath. If brushing your dog's teeth is a dreaded task, opt for coconut oil. Dog's love the taste and they consider it a sweet treat. Another option is to put a teaspoon in their food every day. Soon their breath will be smelling much sweeter!
Food and hydration are essential
If your dog normally suffers from bad breath and no pathology has been found that could be causing it, it's important to do all you can to reduce the build up of bacterial plaque.
In order to do so, it's better to give them dry food rather than wet food because dry food has a more abrasive effect.
It's also necessary for you to regularly change the water in their bowl, and for your pet to always have access to fresh, drinkable water. Water cleans the mouth and helps to remove food debris.
Ensure you regularly clean the dog's food bowl too.
If you want to read similar articles to Homemade Tricks to Improve Your Dog's Bad Breath, we recommend you visit our Dental hygiene category.
