“Why does my dog’s breath stink so bad?”

“What treatments really work to get rid of stinking dog breath?”

“Is bad dog breath just a nuisance or something more serious?”

“What causes stinky dog breath and how can I get rid of it?”

“My dog’s breath smells like garbage, what can I do?”

Bad doggie breath can be almost unbearable at times. The worst part is that many people believe bad breath just comes with the pup. But just because dog breath is extremely common doesn’t mean it’s necessarily normal. Luckily, there are certain actions you can take to drastically reduce that bad puppy breath. Bad dog breath happens for a number of reasons… so how do you know how to rid your dog of stinking puppy breath? You turn to trusted veterinarians and other pet parents who have faced the same problem. Here’s what they had to say. 

What Does Bad Dog Breath Mean?

If you regularly wake up to a cold, loving nose snuffling your face, you know – bad breath in dogs is the worst!

Kisses from the puppy are great, but that puppy breath? Not so much.

I love my dog, don’t get me wrong, I just don’t always love her dog breath. Depending on what she’s eaten the day before her breath can be downright nasty!

It’s even worse when your dog tends to get into the kitty litter, the toilet water, or even his own poop. No thanks buddy, I’ll keep toilet germs and puppy dog breath off my face, thank you.

But you don’t have to put up with that stinking dog breath, and the solution can help improve your dog’s health. That nasty puppy breath is actually from bacterial growth in your dog’s mouth – the same bacteria that can lead to periodontal disease, tooth decay, and more serious health conditions. Getting rid of the bad dog breath gets rid of those unhealthy germs for a healthier, happier pup.

Did you know…

…bad dog breath is often the #1 sign of gum disease in dogs? It’s true. That smelly cloud coming from your dog’s mouth often means there’s a colony of disease-causing bacteria living and thriving inside your dog’s mouth. And gum disease is nothing to joke about. Not only does it lead to dental pain and tooth decay, but that infection can also spread to other parts of your dog’s body, causing massive inflammation, sickness, and even death. Heart disease, kidney failure, and liver disease can develop from a seemingly simple gum infection… and the only way your dog has to tell you there’s a problem is with is stinking dog breath.

Bad Dog Breath and Heart Disease

It’s extremely important to pay attention to your dog’s breath because the dangers aren’t solely dental. Studies show a strong correlation between gum disease and cardiovascular disease. It may seem strange that a dog’s teeth and tongue could have an effect on his heart, but it’s true. Because oral bacteria is filtered out the kidney and liver, the extra stress on these organs puts added pressure on the heart. So a greater awareness for dental care and bad dog breath can have a critical impact on your dog’s overall health. (3)

Dr. Glickman at Purdue University has an important message about gum disease, “Our data show a clear statistical link between gum disease and heart disease in dogs. For many candidates for heart disease, you’re not talking about a single cause. But it clearly speaks to more emphasis on dental care.”

That’s right. You can help treat and prevent gum disease in your dog at home with daily dental care.

How Do I Prevent Bad Dog Breath?

Everyone was taught proper dental care from the time their first teeth started popping through the gums. But when it comes to keeping fluffy’s teeth and mouth clean and healthy, many doggie parents are next to clueless. For starters, if your dog does have bad breath, it’s important to take a trip to the veterinarian and rule out any serious issues. Your vet can find the source of the bad odor and usually resolve the issue with a professional cleaning. But combating bad dog breath isn’t just about brushing those puppy teeth. Proper dental care actually starts in the food bowl.

Doggie Diet and Doggie Breath

You may have heard that dry kibble helps remove plaque from your dog’s teeth, but that’s actually a myth. Many holistic vets say that a better diet than the store-bought pet food is a diet of raw meat because it best mimics what dogs ate hundreds of years ago. And studies show that dogs and cats who are fed a raw meat-based diet generally have fewer dental issues and disease. A raw diet without preservatives or simple carbohydrates helps prevent bacterial and plaque buildup. Plus, chewing the sinewy raw meat can improve circulation around the tooth and keep the gums healthy. (4)

No Really, Brush Those Doggie Teeth!

The best way to prevent bad doggie breath is to treat it at its source (aka, the bacteria growing in your dog’s mouth). And the best way to fight that bacteria is by brushing your dog’s teeth. Yes, you really should brush your dog’s teeth. And no, brushing your dog’s teeth doesn’t make you a crazy, overzealous pet parent. Even if it does feel a little silly at first.

But if you haven’t been brushing your dog’s teeth regularly from the puppy stage, where do you even start? Try following these easy steps to make brushing your dog’s teeth daily a simple task.

1. Purchase a toothbrush and toothpaste. There are lots of different types of toothbrushes out there for your dog. It may take a bit of trial and error to find one you both like, but once you do it will make the process much easier. It’s also important to note that you should NEVER use your human toothpaste on your dog as it can cause a terrible stomach ache. Plus, your dog will probably prefer a meat flavored paste to your own minty fresh paste.
2. Find a good time and place. You want your dog to be as calm and comfortable as possible when brushing his teeth. Choose a time of day when your dog is more chill and relaxed. Also, choose a place with good light (so you can see) and preferably away from anything that might distract or excite your pup.
3. Move slowly. Especially if your pup hasn’t learned to be okay with you handling his mouth, this step is especially important. Start by simply touching his teeth with your finger, first the top, then the bottom. If he seems okay with it, then introduce him to the toothbrush. Let him smell it, lick it, become familiar with it. Then introduce him to the toothpaste. Again, let him sniff it, lick it from your finger, and become comfortable with it before moving on to the next step.
4. Let the brushing begin. Now you can finally add toothpaste to the toothbrush and start brushing. Gently pull his lip back as you brush, and remember to move slowly. Brushing the backside of his teeth (next to his tongue) is the most challenging. You may need to wait until he’s completely comfortable with you brushing the outside of his teeth for a while before adding this step.
5. Praise that good girl or boy! Giving your dog praise throughout the process and after you’re finished is probably the most important step of all. The more positive of an experience this is for your pup, the easier brushing will be for the both of you. (5)

Other Ways To Naturally Help Reduce Bad Dog Breath

I’ve always been a stickler for cleaning my dog’s mouth when it smells awful, but when I found out that bad breath in dogs is actually the most common sign of periodontal disease, I decided to get serious about eliminating that bad puppy dog breath.

Ways to Naturally Treat Bad Dog Breath

I’ve always been a stickler for cleaning my dog’s mouth when it smells awful, but when I found out that bad breath in dogs is actually the most common sign of periodontal disease, I decided to get serious about eliminating that bad puppy dog breath.

Here are five natural, easy things you can do right now to prevent and cure bad breath in dogs.

1. Cut the Carbs

Fewer carbs and sugars mean less food for mouth bacteria to thrive on. Sticky, gummy, sweet foods and grains can create places for mouth bacteria to cling in your dog’s mouth. Stick to a species-appropriate diet free of grains, fillers, and additives for fresher breath. Feeding your dog a raw food diet is one of the best ways to keep his or her mouth clean, healthy, and odor free. Try FEED ME for an easy-to-use freeze dried raw option dogs love.

2. Chew Toys

Giving your dog a variety of chew toys to gnaw on throughout the day is a great way to take care of their teeth naturally. Even the act of chewing may help keep plaque and tartar from building up in the first place. (6)

3. Close the Toilet Lid

Yep, something as simple as developing a habit of keeping the lid down can prevent the dreaded toilet mouth in dogs. For larger dogs, you may have to place something on top of the lid to keep them from nosing it open. Even a laundry hamper, trash can, or a gallon of water (with the lid tightly on) can keep your dog out of the water. After a while, he’ll learn to look for his cool drinks elsewhere and (hopefully) stop bothering the toilet. Child locks meant to keep toddlers out of the toilet can be helpful if you have a particularly crafty dog (or a cat, who doesn’t care about putting the lid back down when he’s done playing in the water).

4. Give a Dog a Bone

Actually, many veterinarians don’t recommend giving dogs bones at all, as they can easily splinter and puncture your dog’s digestive system. But dental chews are a great alternative. Not only do they give your dog something delicious to chew on, but the ingredients can also help clean your dog’s teeth and breath.  

5. Use a Breath Spray for Dogs

There are lots of dog breath sprays on the market to help freshen your dog’s bad breath, but we like TruDog’s SPRAY ME. It’s all-natural and binds with your dog’s saliva to get in those hard to reach places. The scent is pleasing and the dogs don’t seem to mind the taste, especially when paired with TruDog TREAT ME. Plus, it’s easy to spray and go, so there’s less wrestling around and fewer up-close and personal encounters with that doggie breath. If brushing is a chore and dental cleanings every six months aren’t an option for your dog, try SPRAY ME to help fight gingivitis and bad dog breath at home.

BONUS TIP: To help rid your dog of bad breath faster, try switching to a raw diet for dogs and add PROTECT ME dog probiotics in gravy form. Helping balance your dog’s digestive enzymes and eliminating the largest source of tartar (carbs and sugars in regular kibbles), your dog’s body will be able to fight off any existing gingivitis faster. Plus, some allergies and digestive imbalances exhibit symptoms like belching and bad breath. These are often corrected with a high-quality protein source raw food and additional digestive enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics necessary for proper digestion to take place.

Caring for your dog’s bad breath can help him live longer by preventing complications from the periodontal disease, and avoiding tooth decay and loss. But your dog still needs regular teeth cleanings performed by a professional. Ask your veterinarian about scheduling an oral hygiene visit for your dog. But regular dental care at home can significantly reduce the number of dental cleanings your dog will have to undergo in his or her lifetime. That means less, anesthesia, less risk, and less cost.

6 Natural Ingredients That Cure Dog Bad Breath

You know oral hygiene is important for humans.

You brush and floss regularly, just like you’re supposed to, and you raised your kids to do the same. Not only does this prevent bad breath and keep you feeling—and smelling—clean, but it’s also important for the health of your teeth, your gums, and even the rest of your body.

But did you know that addressing bad breath in your dog is just as important?

Why Bad Breath is a Bad Sign for Your Dog’s Wellbeing

Especially if doggie teeth brushing is a new concept to you, all this information can be a bit overwhelming. But keeping a close eye on your dog’s dental care is not just important for his mouth, but also for his overall wellbeing.

Remember, it’s not just an issue of smelling nice. Although that is definitely a perk. Just as in humans, bad breath in dogs can be a sign of other health problems. Controlling bad dog breath through proper oral hygiene can help prevent gum disease (or periodontal disease), tooth decay, and even more serious health problems including heart disease, liver disease, and kidney failure.

Controlling bacteria in the mouth, which is an entry point and a breeding ground for certain nasty bugs may help prevent them from causing damage deeper in the body, which is why your dentist and your veterinarian both recommend constant dental care and proper oral hygiene techniques.

The Dangers of Standard Doggie Dental Procedures

Of course, caring for your dog’s teeth is a little more complicated than caring for your own, or even your kid’s. Having their teeth brushed and cleaned to remove plaque and tartar buildup left by bacteria is often a frightening experience, and many dogs both large and small need to be put under general anesthetic for routine teeth cleaning to take place.

The unfortunate reality is that thousands of dogs a year never wake up from this simple procedure. Even though a professional canine teeth cleaning is a relatively simple procedure meant to restore and preserve your dog’s health, the anesthesia can all too easily lead to their early death. Avoiding dental cleanings that require your dog to be put under while still keeping your dog’s teeth and gums clean and healthy is ideal, and it’s entirely possible with the right regular care.

Up until now, that care has involved daily brushings that many pet owners find difficult to perform, for a variety of reasons: it can be incredibly time consuming, it’s difficult to hold dogs still long enough for a proper brushing to take place, and there are risks of being bitten—not to mention the need to stick your finger in your dog’s mouth, which even the most ardent dog lovers among us can find unappealing. It’s all worth it if it keeps your pooch protected and in good health, of course, but there’s a better way to restore and maintain your dog’s oral hygiene on a daily basis.

All-Natural Ingredients that Fight Bacteria and Disease in Your Dog’s Mouth

Nature never presents a problem without providing a solution, and bad dog breath—along with the health problems it can indicate—is no exception. Here are six completely natural ingredients you can use to keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean and healthy, and to keep that canine breath smelling fresh.

Grape Seed Extract:

Not to be confused with extracts made from the flesh or skin of the grape, which can be harmful and even toxic to dogs due to their high fructose content, extracts from grape seeds contain high levels of proanthocyandidins2—antioxidant compounds that fight free radicals while also serving as natural anti-bacterial agents.

This extract can help kill off harmful levels of bacteria in your dog’s mouth that cause bad breath and lead to other health problems down the line.

Grapefruit Seed Extract:

In addition to having powerful antibacterial properties, research has shown that grapefruit seed extract is also a strong antiviral and antifungal agent, helping to prevent the growth of many foreign organisms in your dog’s mouth. Again, this extract (from grapefruit seeds, not the fruit itself) helps eliminate the cause of bad dog breath, periodontal disease, and other related diseases, stopping your pooch’s health problems in their tracks.

In addition, this extract contains many vitamins and other nutrients important to your dog’s overall health, and helps support a robust immune system, too.

Peppermint Oil:

Used for medicinal purposes by several ancient and modern cultures for at least the past 3,000 years, peppermint oil does far more than simply mask unpleasant odors in the mouth. It also helps clear the respiratory tract3, which helps to prevent bacterial buildup and keeps the full body running strong, and may also help boost energy.

Peppermint is one of the most widely-used and versatile natural remedies in the world, and can do a world of good for your dog’s oral hygiene and overall health.

Rosemary Oil:

Like grape and grapefruit seed extracts, rosemary oil is a natural antibiotic that can help control bacterial populations in your dog’s mouth, and is also used to aid wound healing4 and can help soothe inflamed or damaged gums. It can also improve digestion—another potential cause of bad dog breath and more significant health problems.

Add in the memory-boosting and joint-strengthening potential, and rosemary oil is an all the more essential part of your dog’s health regimen.

Thyme Oil:

All-natural thyme oil remains one of the most powerful antioxidants ever discovered, killing off not only bacteria and free radicals but actually destroying cancer cells5 as well. For your dog, this means better breath odor control, lower bacteria levels, and even improved circulation that can prevent bacteria from reaching internal organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Thyme oil can also help clear out toxins from throughout the body, leading to improvements in overall health and keeping your canine around for many more dog years to come.

Neem Seed Oil:

A tropical tree of the mahogany family, the Neem tree’s seeds contain anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that all help maintain proper balance in your doggie’s mouth. It may also help prevent cavities and gum inflammation 6, making it a powerful addition to any oral hygiene plan.

Added to all of this are the potential cancer-fighting and immune system-boosting effects of neem seed oil, making it that much more desirable for your dog’s health.

The Easy Six-in-One Spray for Your Dog’s Oral and Overall Health

And there’s more where that came from. TruDog has developed an all-in-one spray that delivers powerful natural ingredients in one quick blast administered once or twice daily. The convenient spray bottle makes it easy to deliver the dental care your canine needs in just a few seconds each day, and it’s so effective it was even featured on an episode of Dr. Oz! Right now, TruDog is even offering a discount on all their bad-breath-killing doggie dental spray. You truly have nothing to lose.

Take the guesswork, the grunt work, and the risks out of your dog’s oral hygiene, and make sure their bad breath and related health problems are kept under control. Click here to order your first bottle of TruDog’s “Spray Me” and see how easy it can be to maintain your dog’s oral and overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is bad breath in dogs normal? 

A. While dog breath is fairly common, it isn’t actually normal. Bad dog breath can be an indicator of poor oral health in dogs and is something that should be looked into and taken care of.

Q. Is bad dog breath contagious? 

A. It depends on why a dog’s breath smells. If they have a contagious condition that had bad dog breath as a symptom, then yes it can technically be contagious as well. But bad breath in dogs alone isn’t contagious. 

Q. What causes bad breath in dogs? 

A. The most common causes of stinking dog breath are poor oral health and gum disease (or periodontal disease).

Q. How to fix bad dog breath?

A. One of the best ways to combat bad breath in dogs is taking care of their teeth and overall oral care. You can do this by seeking out veterinary guidance and using some of the natural preventative and care tips above.  

Q. What’s best for bad dog breath? 

A. Having a consistent teeth-cleaning routine for bad dog breath is one of the most effective preventative measures to keep your dog’s oral health intact and their dog breath from smelling like garbage. If you opt for brushing, use vet approved dog toothpaste and a toothbrush several times a week, once a day if possible. Make the experience positive and fun by treating the toothbrush like a game until they get used to it, then add the toothpaste.

 

 

**Some excerpts written by Dr. Jan Hale, DVM**

Sources:

1. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/stanky-dog-breath/
2. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/mouth/c_multi_periodontal_disease
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5773197/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5644655/
5. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dazzling-dog-teeth/
6. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/stanky-dog-breath/