What to do about doggy breath
A good, old-fashioned toothbrush
cleaning really helps
MetPet.com Staff Writer
 Yeech!
You love your dog but not his breath. So what can you do about it?
Bad breath can come from eating certain foods and it can also indicate more
serious diseases. Doggy breath, however, most often comes from gum disease
and bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue. You can change his food and
his eating habits and try commercially available chews but you still have to get
out the toothbrush and paste for the best results.
New Eating Habits
Since the bacteria from foods is likely the culprit, try feeding less frequently
and eliminating those between-meal snacks. You can try substituting dry
food for canned or even try a balanced homemade diet that includes whole grains
and raw vegetables for roughage.
If your dog has lots of dental problems, it's worth considering
providing him food in fewer meals and nixing all long-lasting treats. Food
doesn't spend as much time in his mouth possibly leading to fewer problems.
  Toothbrush and Paste
For
medium to large dogs you can get a soft child-sized toothbrush. For toy dogs you can
wrap your finger in gauze or use a fingertip toothbrush designed just for dogs.
There are several meat or peanut butter flavored toothpastes that for your
dog can safely
ingest. Human toothpaste isn't made to be ingested in large quantities by dogs and
may cause indigestion. Dogs also may not like the minty taste.
Start by brushing just the front teeth or canines at least a
few times a week. You can eventually brush all his teeth daily. Some dogs even
get used to electric toothbrushes and actually look forward to the attention!
If you absolutely cannot brush his teeth, you
can try one of the chewy nylon toys or products such as Greenies. Some have slits into which you can squeeze some
toothpaste. Hard biscuits, rawhide and chew toys in general may help somewhat but
nothing beats regular brushing. Some studies show no appreciable benefit from chews
and hard biscuits while others show a great deal. Only your dog's teeth will tell!
Professional teeth cleaning
Depending on the individual, your dog may need tartar removal and general
dentistry from his vet every few years. Some dogs develop tartar at an
astounding rate while others can go for years with barely any. Since dogs
are not very cooperative in this department, teeth cleaning requires general
anesthesia. Therefore, it is a good idea to schedule several
anesthesia-requiring procedures at the same time. This not only saves you
money but saves your dog from undue stress and risk. General anesthesia
requires blood work beforehand and is riskier for senior dogs who are usually in
need of more dental work than younger dogs.
Sometimes bad breath can come from disorders and
diseases that are not mouth-based. Bad breath in conjunction with other symptoms
such as excessive drinking, urination, weight-loss, behavioral changes etc. can be a sign
of a more serious illness such as kidney or liver problems and diabetes. Diabetes,
for example, can result in a an oddly sweet breath caused by the increase in blood sugar.
Consult your vet if you see something unusual.
A dog with clean, healthy teeth and fresh breath
is a true joy!
Related Information:
Bathing the Dog
Trimming Your Dog's Nails
Periodontal Disease in Pets
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