It’s best to brush your pet’s teeth once a day at home to keep them from getting bad smell from bacteria. But some dogs don’t like it when their teeth are brushed the old-fashioned way.
If this sounds like a pet you know and love, there are natural ways to help them keep their breath fresh and teeth clean.
How Does Bad Dog Breath Happen?
There are many things that can give dogs bad breath, such as plaque buildup on the teeth, gum disease, food stuck in the teeth, or even health problems like diabetes or kidney disease. If you think your dog might be sick, you should take them to the vet to rule out any bad smell.
These are some other things that could be making your dog’s breath smell bad:
- Diet: If your dog eats a lot of fatty or sugary foods, it can make his breath smell bad.
- Dry mouth: The mouth of your dog can get dry if they don’t drink enough water. This can cause bad breath.
- Hormonal imbalances: Hypothyroidism is one type of hormonal imbalance that can make dogs’ breath smell bad.
- Medications: Some medicines can also give dogs bad breath.
How to Get Rid of Bad Dog Breath Using DIY Methods
There are some things you can do at home to help them breath better. Here are some things you can do at home to help your dog.
1: Raw Bones
To keep your dog’s teeth healthy, give them meaty raw bones. Chewing them makes saliva, which fights tooth rot. Plus, dogs love them so much!
If you want to treat bad dog smell naturally, use bones from beef or lamb. You can buy raw bones online or from a butcher near you. Don’t give your dog cooked bones because they might break up and hurt his digestive system.
2: Raw Fruit & Vegetables
Apples, carrots, broccoli, and celery leaves mixed with a little peanut butter are great for dogs with bad breath. Chewing on these, like chewing on bones, helps get rid of tartar and plaque. Cut them up, take out the seeds if you need to, and add the pieces to his regular food.
3: Parsley & Mint Leaves
Herbs from the kitchen are the easiest natural way to treat bad dog smell. Chop up some fresh mint or pudina leaves and put them on your dog’s food. Mint leaves can also be boiled in hot water, then cooled and sprayed straight on your dog’s teeth.
4: Yogurt
Bad breath can sometimes be a sign of stomach problems. A simple and natural way to treat bad dog smell is to give the dog yogurt. You can add the plain yogurt as an extra treat after a meal or mix it right into the food.
5. Coconut Oil
Virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil is good for dogs in many ways, and it can help fight bad breath. It’s also thought to:
- Help body digest
- Speed up your metabolism
- Improve older dogs’ thinking skills
- Make your dog’s hair better
Being aware that giving your dog coconut oil adds extra calories to their food is important. This can make small animals fat, so keep that in mind if you want to try coconut oil. If your dog is on the smaller side, you might even want to skip this treatment all together.
Also, giving your dog too much coconut oil can make them have diarrhea and greasy stools. Start with a small amount and slowly add more as your dog gets used to it.
As you give more, always keep an eye out for signs of stomach problems like puking, diarrhea, or slimy poop. Any of these things happen? Either lower the dose or stop giving it until you talk to your doctor.
6. Increase Good Bacteria
Ways to fight germs that are bad for you? Good bacteria can be added to the mix with probiotics, which help boost the number of good bacteria in your dog’s digestive system.
You can help your dog get the probiotics it needs by giving it added foods. Supplement powder with billions of live and active probiotics can help dogs of all ages by supporting the bacteria in their gut.
7. Let Your Pup Play
Fun times with your dog can help keep their teeth clean, did you know that? Chewing on dog toys can get rid of soft plaque before it turns into calculus, which is harder to treat, but it’s not as good as cleaning.
Most dog toys, like ropes and squeaky bones, will work. Your furry friend can even get tooth chew toys that are made with ridges and knobs that are meant to clean their teeth.
Dog toys shouldn’t be too hard for your pet’s teeth, so be careful when you’re shopping. I think it’s too hard if it makes a mark when you press on it with your thumb.
8. Puppy-Proof Your Home
What does your dog like to eat? Of course, their breath will smell bad if they eat poop or other gross things all the time.
In this case, the best thing to do is to puppy-proof your house. Pick up after your other animals, keep trash cans out of their reach, and use a taste barrier to keep them from eating things they shouldn’t.
If your dog likes to look around, you might need to be extra careful. For times when you can’t watch them, it’s best to buy some baby gates or keep them in their pen.
9. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth Regularly
Talk to your vet about tooth paste made just for dogs that you can use every day to brush their teeth. Human toothpaste shouldn’t be given to your dog because it could hurt them.
10. Give Him Lots Of Clean Water
A dry mouth can also cause bad breath. Make sure your dog can easily get a lot of clean, fresh water to drink. This will help keep their mouths clean. Don’t forget to clean his bowl often too.
11. Monitor Food Intake:
Keep an eye on what your dog eats. If your dog has bad breath, it’s likely because he’s been digging through the trash or eating something he shouldn’t have. Watch his breath for about 4 hours after he eats.
But if your dog has other problems along with bad breath, like gums that are red or swollen, bad eating habits, or irregular bowel movements, this could be a sign of a more serious issue. In this case, it’s important to get your pet medical help right away.
12. Apple Cider Vinegar
People who care about their health always have apple cider vinegar on hand, and dogs also love it. Putting about a half teaspoon of raw, organic apple cider vinegar in your dog’s water bowl can help clean their breath.
13. Homemade Treats
Make some dog treats yourself, and if your dog has bad breath, make some homemade breath mints to help. Mix the oats, eggs, water, coconut oil, parsley, and mint together. Then, roll out the dough, cut it into forms, and bake at 325° F for 35 to 40 minutes. Let it cool all the way down before serving. Don’t feed them too much.
How To Prevent Bad Breath In Dogs
So how can dog owners keep their dogs from getting pet halitosis in the first place? It turns out that the best way to stop smells is very similar to how to treat them.
- Consistent oral hygiene: “Maintaining oral and overall health is the best way to keep breath fresh in general,” says Sanders. Brush your dog’s teeth when it is a baby and do it every day for as long as your pet lives.
- Water additives: Adding things to your dog’s water can help keep his breath fresh and help with problems like tooth loss, plaque buildup, and gum disease.
- Curbed behavior: Your dog’s breath will smell a lot better if they aren’t eating or playing with stinky things like trash or feces. Stopping these strange habits takes time and effort, but it is well worth it.
- Annual cleanings: “Remember that people brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day, but they still need to have their teeth cleaned every year,” Sanders says. “It only makes sense that our dogs need the same regular care.”
Conclusion
Take your dog to the vet for a checkup if they have bad breath. If your vet says that your dog’s bad breath isn’t caused by a medical problem, you can try one of the home remedies above. We hope that this article has helped you as you look for ways to get rid of your dog’s bad breath.