We all know bad breath, which is also known as halitosis, when we smell it. Bad breath is the result of a build up of odor producing bacteria in your dogs mouth, lungs, or gut. Persistent bad breath can indicate that your dog needs better dental care or that something is wrong in his gastrointestinal tract, liver, or kidneys. In all cases, halitosis is a red flag that should be investigated.
Most often, canine bad breath is caused by dental or gum disease, and certain dogs, particularly small ones, are especially prone to plaque and tartar.
However, persistent bad breath can also indicate larger medical problems in the mouth, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, or internal organs.
Here are few things you can do to prevent doggie bad breath:
- Take you dog in for regular checkups to make sure he has no underlying medical issues that may cause halitosis.
- Make sure your vet monitors and tracks the state of your dog’s teeth and breath.
- Feed your dog a high-quality or home made, easy-to-digest food.
- Brush your dog’s teeth frequently -- every day is ideal. (Use a doggie tooth paste to prevent an upset stomach)
- Provide hard, safe chew toys that allow your dog’s teeth to be cleaned by the natural process of chewing.
- Give your dog chewy treats formulated to improve breath odor.