How Is Bad Breath Treated?
Treatment depends on your vet’s diagnosis. If plaque is the culprit, your dog might require a professional cleaning. If it’s an issue of diet, you might have to change your dog’s regular food. If the cause is gastrointestinal or an abnormality in your dog’s liver, kidneys, or lungs, please consult your vet about steps you should take.
How Can I Prevent My Dog From Having Bad Breath?
Many people assume that bad breath in dogs, especially at a certain age, is a “given.” But that’s not the case. In fact, being proactive about your pup’s oral health will not only make your life together more pleasant, it’s smart preventive medicine.
Bring your 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, easy-to-digest food.
Brush your dog’s teeth frequently -- every day is ideal. (Please be sure to use toothpaste formulated for dogs as human toothpaste can upset a canine’s stomach.)
Provide hard, safe chew toys that allow your dog’s teeth to be cleaned by the natural process of chewing. Give your dog well-researched treats formulated to improve breath odor.
Discuss home-use oral health products with your veterinarian to see if there’s a type he or she recommends. Note: Please keep in mind, these products simply mask bad breath and do not treat underlying medical problems.