Bad Dog Breath
One of the most common problems most people have with their dog is bad breath. As you might suspect, in most cases, it has to do with their gums and teeth.
Bad Dog Breath
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One of the most common problems most people have with their dog is bad breath. As you might suspect, in most cases, it has to do with their gums and teeth.
Bad breath in humans is mostly due to too many bacteria in their mouth, and this is also the case with dogs. These bacteria are called anaerobic bacteria, and they love to live in a non-oxygen atmosphere. These bacteria live off the small pieces of food left in our mouths, creating smelly sulfur compounds, which is one of the components of plaque. Plaque is a combination of bacteria, minerals, and decomposed food. This plaque coats teeth and will eventually turn into tartar, which can cause gums to become irritated and inflamed.
Annual Pet Checkup
Bad breath in pets may also be connected with kidney or liver disease so it is advisable to take your dog or cat to the veterinarian for an annual check up. He will do a thorough inspection of you pet’s mouth for loose and diseased teeth, and for periodontal disease. Make sure you ask him the correct procedure for brushing your dog’s teeth.
Diet
Is there anything I can do to help my pet reduce their plaque? Change your pet’s diet to a dry pet food. As they crunch the dry food it will help massage their gums and wear the tarter away. When looking for pet food check to see if they include enzymes in the food to help dissolve the plaque. The worst thing to do is feed your pet only wet or canned products. This will become a breeding ground for bacteria in your pet’s mouth.
Treats
Any treat such as rawhide or chewing treats will help break up the plaque around the base of your pet’s teeth. In most cases dog biscuits do nothing for controlling plaque in your pet’s mouth.
Brushing Teeth
This is the most proactive item you can do. Make it an enjoyable experience for your dog. Find some toothpaste at your pet store that your dog will enjoy. You’ll find several flavors of toothpaste and specially designed pet toothbrushes available in different sizes. Make brushing your dog’s teeth a habit and you’ll see noticeable results. All the doggy kisses will be sweeter.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning might be necessary if you don’t want to brush your dog’s teeth or you don’t have the time. This procedure is done under general anesthetic or tranquilizers. Check with your veterinarian to see if he can provide this service and what the costs are.
Daily tooth brushing, watch what they eat, mind the treats, and visit the dentist / vet. It sounds exactly like instructions for your dental care and oral hygiene and it is what will work for your pet. With just a small bit of effort on your part, you dog can have sweeter breath and a healthier life.
Author: Mike Kelley
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