Have you noticed an unpleasant odor in your dog’s mouth? Some bad breath is expected with dogs, but consistent stink can be cause for concern.
Poor dental hygiene, unbalanced nutrition, and underlying health conditions can all lead to bad breath in your dog, so it is important to work with your vet to uncover the underlying cause. There are steps you can take right now, however, to improve your dog’s breath.
Here are 5 natural remedies for dogs with bad breath that you can do at home with ingredients you already have on hand.
1. Feed Your Dog Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Crunchy fruits and vegetables like carrots, celery, parsley, and apples make great, natural chew toys for your dog. The crunch helps to stimulate saliva production in your dog’s mouth, helping to wash away some of the bacteria that lead to bad breath. These foods can also help get rid of some of the plaque on their teeth, similar to a chew toy.
Plus, fruits and vegetables can help boost your dog’s nutrition, a very common underlying cause of your dog’s bad breath. Remember to always provide a healthy nutritious diet like Health Extension’s dry dog foods.
2. Try Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has many great health benefits for your dog, including better digestion, healthier skin, and a shinier coat, but one of its lesser-known benefits is getting rid of your dog’s bad breath.
You can add a small amount, ¼ tsp to 1 tsp, to your dog’s food, mix it into dog treats, or even use a natural toothpaste.
3. Add Probiotics to Your Dog’s Diet
Bad breath is typically caused by bacteria or yeast build-up in your dog’s mouth. Probiotics can help to balance the healthy bacteria in your dog’s microbiome and reduce the odor in your dog’s mouth.
Adding a little Greek yogurt to your dog’s diet can be a great, effortless way to add probiotics. Make sure that any yogurt you give your dog is plain and unsweetened and pay extra attention that there is no xylitol or artificial sweetener in the yogurt. Xylitol can be deadly, even in small amounts.
Another straightforward way to add probiotics is through a supplement. Our Lifetime Vitamins are packed with vitamins and minerals, plus probiotics to support digestion health (and fresh breath).
4. Add Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Dog’s Food or Water
Apple cider vinegar is another ingredient with a whole host of health benefits for your pup. It is rich in vitamins like potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which all support healthy teeth and gums, and the malic and acetic acids can kill the bacteria that cause bad breath.
You can add a small amount to your dog’s water dish or mix it in with their favorite food or treat.
5. Encourage Your Dog to Drink More Water
Like most things, good oral health stems from good hydration. Dehydration can lead to foul-smelling breath, so make sure your dog has a steady supply of clean, fresh water at their disposal.
You should regularly clean your dog’s water dish with soap and water. Bacteria builds up in your dog’s dishes, and too long between cleaning can transfer those bacteria to your dog’s mouth, leading to bad breath.
Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean and Healthy
Oral health is an important part of your dog’s overall well-being. Periodontal disease is common in many dogs, and it is up to you to fight off plaque and tartar buildup. Health Extension provides yummy dental chews to help keep your pups oral hygiene healthy!
Daily brushing, regular cleanings by your vet, and balanced nutrition are the best ways to keep your dog’s teeth healthy and their breath smelling fresh.
