How to Avoid Dog’s Bad Breath

Without most people knowing it, the solution to a dog’s bad breath is actually simple. All it would take is good hygiene and proper diet. Also, at the first sign of the problem, never hesitate to get the help of a vet. If these would be kept in mind, then there is no reason for the owner to live with a dog with a foul smelling breath. However, if a dog does develop bad breath here are some simple tips on how to get rid of dog bad breath.

First, check the mouth for any plaque or tartar in the teeth. If this is found then the dog it would be best to scrape them out as this is causing the bad breath in the dog.

Second, you will need a dog toothbrush. In some cases, a washcloth or gauze pad wrapped around a finger also works fine. You would also need a toothpaste specially designed for pets. Some things must be kept in mind. Dogs cannot spit and human toothpaste is not safe to swallow in large quantities.

Your dog will most likely swallow whatever you use to clean its teeth with. Therefore, it is important to buy toothpaste that has been designed specifically for dogs. A good alternative for cleaning your dog’s teeth is a mixture of vitamin C and water in a ratio of half teaspoon of vitamin C to a cup of water.

Third, it is important to be reminded that giving good oral care for our dog can actually help them have long lives by as much as three to five years. In order to successfully clean your dog’s teeth, you must get your dog used to having its mouth handled by lifting its lips and examining the teeth. This should be done around 2-3 times per week.

Also, it would be best if each time, you give your pet a small treat and lots of praise after you have finished. This way, the routine is reinforced. Your dog will be more comfortable with the teeth cleaning process when it knows there will be a treat when it is finished.

Fourth, giving bones to your pet to chew on is an effective method for keeping tartar from accumulating. The chewing movement also helps in keeping the dog’s teeth clean. Raw knuckle bones or the joints are great because they are soft and help the dog to scrape its teeth into the bone. This can be bought from any local butcher or even the meat counter at the community supermarket. These bones still have some tendons and muscle meat. They will clean your dog’s teeth and provide a nice oral exercise.

More so, this movement will provide a healthy amount of natural calcium. To add, this bone will be a natural treat for the dog. So it will enjoy a good knuckle bone. You would notice that it will be contented and relaxed while chewing. At the end of this exercise, the dog will become a little sleepy.

Finally, a healthy diet will help avoid dog’s bad breath. Keep them fed with enriched dog food and for sure they will remain healthy and fresh smelling.

Home Dental Care for a Sheltie Puppy With Bad Breath

Sad to say, a Sheltie is one dog breed that is considered high maintenance. So it requires a lot of grooming and must be kept clean more often than other breeds. Its teeth must be brushed daily to keep it safe from plaque and tartar that causes bad puppy breath. Despite this, it is still possible to encounter a sheltie puppy with bad breath.

If you are a dog owner who owns a sheltie puppy with bad breath, here are some important home remedies that you could try before you head to the vet and rack up on expensive dental bills.

Dog Breath Home Remedy 1:

You can begin by checking on the puppy’s mouth. Slowly open the puppy’s mouth and check if there are foreign objects stuck in between the teeth. Slowly remove them if there are any. Also, get a wet gauze or cloth and clean the areas outside of the mouth. This area is prone to the buildup of food particles that cause the beginnings of bad breath.

Dog Breath Home Remedy 2:

Since the Sheltie is a puppy, it is best if you begin brushing its teeth while it is young. This way, it becomes used to the idea of having its teeth brushed. You can begin by slowly inserting your ginger into the pup’s teeth with a pet toothpaste applied on your finger. Eventually, use a finger brush to clean the pup’s teeth. Make sure to use a pet toothpaste that contains no artificial sweeteners such as xylitol nor use a toothpaste that has a high content of fluoride. These agents are known to have side effects on dogs.

It would also help if you use toothpaste that contains flavors that the puppy generally likes. There are many available products such as these in the market.

Dog Breath Home Remedy 3:

It is also important to feed the Sheltie puppy some treats that are natural yet helps clean plaque. Other dog owners feed their pets peeled and cubed apples as well as carrots. Not only are they nutritious for the animal, they also scrape whatever left over particles and tartar in the sheltie’s teeth. There are also some nutritious treats that are available that do the trick. Just use your imagination to find which one would be loved by your puppy.

Dog Breath Home Remedy 4:

Since it is a puppy, the Sheltie is obviously going to be teething. This is uncomfortable to the puppy because of the pain and soreness in the gums. It is best to give the puppy, a toy it can chew on. Not only will this relieve the puppy of its discomfort, it can also clean its mouth.

Dog Breath Home Remedy 5:

Also, it is important to check the ingredients of the puppy’s feed. It might contain ingredients such as tuna and salmon. Although these work for a cat, it would not do for a puppy. They leave a strong odor in the puppy’s mouth so it is best to get away from puppy food that contains any strong flavor.

Dog Breath Home Remedy 6:

You may also consider using mouth rinses that may help clean the puppy’s mouth as well as give it a nice and fresh smell. These are simply added into the puppy’s water and since it has no odor and taste, the puppy just gulps it down. This way, the puppy’s mouth is clean and sweet smelling.

Gingivitis in Dogs = Bad Breath

Dog bad breath is not something that a dog owner will laugh about because of the shame it gives to him whenever friends come over to visit and smells the foul stench. It is important therefore to find the cause of the problem to be able to remedy it as soon as possible. That way, he would be able to feel proud about the pooch he has at home.

One of the main causes of dog’s bad breath a.k.a. halitosis is dog gingivitis. This problem is not only found in humans who fail to regularly brush their teeth but in animals as well. Although this is found in pets like dogs and cats due to irresponsibility of the owners who fail to properly take care of their pets. This is a problem that can easily be remedied if only the owner will spend time 2-3 times a week to clean their dog’s teeth. However, the frequency of teeth brushing becomes daily till the problem is resolved.

What is gingivitis anyway?

This medical condition is characterized by inflammation in the gum tissue that leads to redness and swelling. At times, occasional bleeding in the gum lines occurs. This is commonly brought about by dental plaque. Plaque deposits build up in the teeth when the bacteria that are normally found in the mouth combines with protein and starch that is found in the saliva. Through time, if the teeth are not regularly cleaned or if the plaque deposits are not scraped then the problem becomes worse.

How does gingivitis result in dog bad breath?

The plaque deposits are full of bacteria that create the bad smell associated with bad breath as it combines with the saliva in the mouth. Also, the smell becomes worse as the dog eats food because more bacteria are deposited into the plaque. The saliva itself starts to have a foul odor so bad breath becomes a systemic problem inside the mouth.

How is it treated?

If redness and swelling in the gum line is observed then chances are gingivitis is slowly eating into our dog’s teeth. If caught early, this is not a cause for concern as it can easily be reversed. The dog has to be brought to the vet for a procedure known as ultrasonic scaling where the teeth will be cleaned in the area above and below the gum line. This polishing will immediately stop the buildup of the plaque. After this is done then the bad breath will also be gone. Although this scraping will cause some discomfort to the dog as it would require the use of some anesthetic. Given the need for this medicine, it is best to prevent the appearance of the problem through regular teeth brushing. Besides, gingivitis leads to a more serious teeth medical condition known as dog periodontitis. So it is important to clean your dog’s teeth.

How can this be prevented?

Look at it this way, as it is important to clean our teeth, so it is with dogs. Just clean your dog’s teeth regularly and gingivitis will not claim any of its teeth. A yearly visit to the vet will also be good. Just follow these simple tips and for sure, your pooch will not turn into a bad breath dog.