Bad Breath In Dogs

Bad Breath in Dogs

Causes of bad breath in dogs can be traced not only to the dental and gum disease but also to kidney and liver disease.

Do you have animals, especially dogs? I, as dog lover, make sure to own a dog ever since when I was a kid. Even my whole family loves dog and we treat our favorite pet member of the family. When I got married, I left my dog with my parents and since my husband knows that dogs are my favorite pets, he got me one a few weeks before our weeding. Isn't that sweet?

As a responsible dog owner, I always make it a point to feed and clean my dog. But, it's not enough. There's more to feeding, bathing, and walking your dogs. For those who also love and own dogs (like me), it is important for you to know why dogs have bad breath and what causes bad breath in dogs.

Tooth and gum problems are the most common medical condition of cats and dogs because bad breath in dogs and other pets usually accompanied with other health problems. Even if bad breath in your pets does not bother you or you don't find it offensive, it is still best to treat the problem.

Tartar build up surrounding the teeth of your dog is the most common cause of bad breath. Just like in our case, if small food particles left in between our teeth, these food particles will decay resulting to become a friendly environment for oral bacteria to grow. And when they grow, they become plaque. Plaque and other oral infections are responsible for the bad breath in dogs. In addition, plaque sticks to the base of teeth causing inflammation and receding of gums. Eventually these gum problems contribute to the foul smell of your dog's breath.

Have you notice your puppies that puppies have different breath odor? I won't say it's stinky or offensive, but it's just that it smells puppy breath. This is because young puppies that is in the process of shedding their baby teeth usually salivate and bad breath. Brushing your puppies' mouth with water mixed with baking soda gives them relief and minimizes bad breath. In older pets, liver and kidney diseases usually affect the mouth; therefore, bad breath can possibly be traced through organ failure. Kidney and liver disease can lead to dental disease and dental disease can lead to liver and kidney diseases. You can immediately identify if your dog has dental problems for they usually drool.

Bad breath in dogs is treatable. You just have to be observant to the health conditions of your pets. Here are several helpful tips in the treatment of bad breath in dogs:

o Yearly general and dental check up helps you monitor the condition of your dog, including bad breath.
o To slow down the formation of plaque build up, feed your pet with a name brand commercial pet food. These crunchy food helps massage gums and gradually removes tartar
o Feed your dog with chewy treats, bones, and the like for they help minimize dental plaque.
o Brushing your pet's teeth is the best thing you can do to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
o Use mouthwash and sprays containing enzymes that dissolve plaque and help reduce bacteria. These are available in veterinary hospitals and pet shops.

Bad breath in dogs should not be taken for granted for this may lead to another serious problem. If you notice your dog's breath has an offensive smell, bring them to your veterinarian to determine the cause of their bad breath. After all, our dog deserves the best treatment we can give to them as part of the family.