Dogs are wonderful, slobbery creatures. Drooling all over the place in excitement, trying to lick your face whenever they can, you know how they are. But ever heard of doggie breath? A stench emanating from your pooch’s mouth, so foul that it could’ve come from the cavernous depths of hell itself? Let’s hope you’ve never experienced that. But just in case you have, then you know that we’re not exaggerating here. Some people seem to assume that it’s natural, and okay, for a dog to have halitosis, but bad breath, just as it is for humans, is not just an indicator of bad oral hygiene, it could be an indicator of a much more severe problem such as a respiratory or gastrointestinal problems. Consult your vet if you feel that your pooch’s breath has suddenly acquired a strange odour, to make sure that the problem isn’t serious. If it isn’t then bad oral hygiene is your enemy, and if you want to continue receiving slobbery doggie kisses without gagging, then you’ll have to tackle the problem yourself, since it is unlikely to go away with time.
Take your pooch for regular dental checkups. This will make sure that you’re kept on your feet regarding your dog’s dental hygiene, and the vet will be better trained to identify any strange odours. They can also give you tips on how to prevent halitosis and help keep you pooch’s mouth stink free.
Mouth odour is caused by the build up of bacteria in the mouth, lungs, teeth or tongue. It could be a gum disease, or plaque build up.Now, the most obvious solution here, which is something most dog owners tend to very lazy about, is brushing your dogs teeth. We know it’s hard, trust us, we do. Dogs generally hate having their teeth brushed. Start early and do it regularly, and hopefully your dog will get used to it before long. Human toothpaste is, of course, a big no-no. All you’ll achive by using Germicheck on your pet is giving him an upset stomach. Seriously, these toothpastes can make dogs ill. There are toothpastes available in the market that cater specifically to dogs. If you haven’t got a clue about them, contact your regular pet store, they will most probably carry them. The great thing is, these come in flavours like meat, to make them more appealing to their canine customers.
For those cheap dog owner out there who think they can make do with giving the dog one of their old toothbrushes, please just don’t be that disgusting and get the poor thing his own. There are also special brushes available for dogs.
Check the dog’s diet. The problem might just be as simple as eating an unsuitable food that is causing the problem, like garlic for humans. Moreover, dogs, while supremely adorable, can also be disgusting, sticking their noses and mouths in all sorts of things, such as dustbins, so naturally, they smell of whatever it is that they’ve managed to pick up as a snack. Keep an eye on what your dog is sniffing, and keep him away from things he shouldn’t be consuming.
Maybe the problem is a foreign object stuck in the dog’s teeth, like a food particle? Check the dog’s mouth to remove doubt and as previously stated, brush regularly to make sure you can avoid this happening.
Rawhide bones are especially helpful when it comes to dealing with canine halitosis. Dogs love chewing on these, and regular chewing makes sure that the dog’s mouth is clean and free of stray food particles.
If these measure don’t help, you may have to get the teeth cleaned by a specialist. They can properly get rid of any plaque build up and suggest medication that you can give your dog, if necessary. There are foods and chewable treats available on the market especially for this purpose. Yes, we realize this is the third time we’ve made this statement, but apparently canine halitosis is a major concern for a lot of dog owners.
If the dog in question is still a puppy, the problem might be as simple as teething. At this state, it is normal for their mouths to have an unusual smell. Just make sure you keep them supplied with plenty of chew toys, to keep them busy, and the problem should fix itself in a few days.
The final source of the problem, is you haven’t pin-pointed one yet, may be the dog’s diet. meat rich diets, normally, cause bad breath. Their diet needs to be balanced, with carbohydrates in the form of rice, perhaps, added in as well. This applies not only to the problem at hand, but the dog’s well-being in general. Make sure meals are regular and well-monitored, so you know exactly what the pooch is consuming.
Dry dog food also seems to help with bad breath, so trying adding that in his diet.
Hydration is also an important factor. A dry mouth may also be the cause of the stink. Make sure your dog gets more than enough water everyday, and change the water in the bowl regularly.
And if you still can’t find the source of the problem, make sure to contact your vet to check of the problem has a more severe root.