When Dogs Have Bad Breath
Check Your Pet's Mouth
2. Search your dog's mouth for any foreign objects or growths.
Bad breath can sometimes be caused by a piece of food that's become stuck, or even a tumor growth. If you notice a tumor growth inside of your dog's mouth, have him examined by his vet immediately.
Brush Your Dogs Teeth
3. Brush your dog's teeth at least once a day.
Because human toothpaste will make your dog ill, you should only use toothpaste that's formulated for pets. As you brush your dog's teeth, focus on the upper teeth because plaque usually begins to build up there first. Don't forget to brush your pet's tongue thoroughly. Pet toothbrushes and toothpaste can be purchased in the dental section of your local pet store. The best time to start brushing your dog's teeth is when he's young because he'll become accustomed to it. If you aren't currently brushing your dog's teeth, there's no better time to start than right now.
Floss if Possible
4. Floss your dog's teeth.
If your dog will let you, you can floss his teeth just like you floss your own. Keep in mind, the sooner in their life you start flossing their teeth, the better.
Provide Chew Toys
5. Give your dog some safe chew toys to gnaw on.
The natural process of chewing will help clean your dog's teeth. A popular chew toy is a Kong. Kongs are hard rubber toys that are sold in pet stores. To help clean your dog's teeth with a Kong, smear some meat or cheese flavored toothpaste on the inside of the toy. As your dog chews on the Kong, he'll get used to the toothpaste flavor and the hardness of the toy will help loosen the plaque from his teeth. Rope toys are also good for dogs to gnaw on because they'll help dislodge any food that's stuck in-between their teeth.
Offer Dental Treats
6. Give your dog specialized dental treats to help keep his breath fresh.
Breath sprays and mouthwashes will also help keep your dog's breath fresh. Just make sure what you purchase doesn't contain xylitol. Xylitol is very toxic to dogs. A popular dental treat that's been on the market for many years is the Greenie. Greenies are charcoal-based treats that can help eliminate bad breath, and they can be purchased from most pet stores.
Give Your Pet a Rawhide Bone
7. Give your dog a rawhide bone.
Rawhide bones work really well at reducing your dog's plaque build-up. Keep a close eye on the bone and make sure you throw it away immediately once it becomes easy to swallow. Remember to never give your dog a cooked bone to gnaw on because it can splinter – causing potential damage to the intestinal linings of your pet.
