Let's be honest. It can be downright nauseating when your four-legged buddy feels like giving you a series of unreserved smooches while seemingly having a mouth full of rot. Bad breath in dogs can be much worse than human bad breath, especially considering the fact that dogs don't have many self-esteem issues and aren't likely to extend us the courtesy of masking or hiding their condition. Oh, yeah, and they lick their butts!
This article will cover some common causes of bad breath in dogs, and will offer a few suggestions for you to consider for both the treatment of canine halitosis and its prevention going forward. I hope you find some value from the information, tips, and advice that follows.
Bad Breath In Dogs - Common Causes:
1. Tooth decay. This is number one for a reason. While most of us are pretty good about keeping our own oral health in check, we often forget that our canine family members don't really have a built-in system for keeping their teeth clean. Rotting teeth and gums smell absolutely atrocious, and the possibility that this is the culprit should be the first thing that goes through your mind if your dog's mouth stinks.
2. Eating trash and/or feces. Umm... I think this one is pretty self-explanatory!
3. Digestive problems. This will be your final check in determining the cause of your dog's foul breath. If his or her teeth are clean and they aren't consuming absolute filth, it may be that your dog is refluxing or experiencing some other kind of upper digestive disorder that is coming up as acid and/or gas.
Bad Breath In Dogs - Treatment:
Obviously, you will want to do a visual inspection of your dog's teeth first and foremost. Is there any rot? Are the teeth badly discolored or loose? Do the gums appear healthy?
If this isn't the problem, look around your environment. Is garbage the dog is getting into the litter box. Hey, it wouldn't be the first time. It's happened in my household, and I'm assuming it's happened in others, as well!
Once you've addressed and eliminated the source of your dog's bad breath, you will want to invest in a canine oral health system, including a brush, paste (NOT human toothpaste), and Milk-Bones. Scrape his or her tongue, too. This is an effective and simple solution that you can use to get control over this smelly situation right away. Of course, the real magic lies with the following...
Bad Breath In Dogs - Prevention:
Prevention is always the best medicine. And to prevent foul odors from developing in your dog's mouth, you can simply reverse engineer the causes. Keep your dog's mouth clean by feeding him only naturally healthy food, cleaning his teeth and mouth regularly, and giving him Milk-Bones on a daily basis. Keep the dog's environment tidy and free of garbage and animal feces.
Above all else, always ensure your pet's health by scheduling a visit with your vet. If this happens to be mouth rot or a digestive disorder, you are wise not to attempt to go it alone. It is always better to err on the side of caution, especially given that your animal could actually be suffering and not have the ability to effectively communicate that with you.
Bad Breath CausesLooking for more information on how to cure bad breath?
Find out more about the causes of bad breath in dogs and bad breath cures at http://www.TopBadBreathRemedies.com
Don't let bad breath destroy your life.