8 Best Dog Bad Breath Home Remedies

Have you ever tried to snuggle up to your pet and received a face full of stinky breath in return?

Bad breath isn't just annoying. It's also a sign of dental health issues. Dog bad breath home remedies will get rid of the foul odor and help keep your pet's mouth clean and healthy.

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is usually caused by odor-producing bacteria that build up in your dog's mouth.

Bacteria can also cause it in the gut or lungs. For this reason, if your dog's bad breath comes on suddenly or is severe at times, it's best to seek veterinary care.

While it's unlikely, bad breath could be a symptom of a bigger health problem.

Think about what you do to keep your mouth clean and your breath smelling fresh. Most dog bad breath home remedies are similar to your dental health routine tasks.

While it's a very similar process, most pet owners don't think about this aspect of pet grooming until their dog shows signs of dental disease (like bad breath).

Treating your dog's bad breath will depend entirely on the cause of the problem. If his halitosis isn't severe, you can use a trial-and-error system to figure it out.

If it is severe or comes on suddenly, it's best to work with your vet to create a treatment plan based on the root cause.

Dog Bad Breath Home Remedies

1. The Best Dog Bad Breath Home Remedy is Brushing Regularly

The best remedy for bad dog breath at home is to keep Fido's teeth clean with daily brushing.

If you can't fit daily brushing into your schedule, you need to brush your teeth at least three times per week.

We have great articles on canine dental health, and I've made a video guide to teach pet owners how to brush a dog's teeth. Check out these other resources for more information:

• 6 Steps To Effectively Brush Your Dog's Teeth
• 10 Science-based Dog Teeth Care Tips
• Dog Teeth Cleaning 101: Brushing Dog's Teeth

Did you know that poor dental health has been linked to heart disease? The bacteria from your dog's mouth can spread to other body areas through his bloodstream.

So, keeping up with your pup's dental health will keep his breath smelling fresh and prevent other serious health problems.

2. Dog Bad Breath Home Remedy With Regular Dental Cleanings

Most veterinarians recommend having your dog's teeth professionally cleaned once a year.

Your vet will probably want to do the first cleaning when your dog is 6-12 months old. If your dog is already an adult and has never had a professional tooth cleaning, that's alright.

It's never too late to start taking care of your dog's teeth!

Many pet owners worry about having their dog's teeth cleaned. It's not as bad as most people think.

The vet will start by examining your dog's mouth if he'll allow it. If not, they'll do the oral exam once your dog is under anesthesia.

While your dog is sedated, the veterinarian will take x-rays of his mouth to look for broken teeth, abscesses, infections, dead teeth, and problems with the roots of the teeth.

They will then clean the teeth by scraping away plaque and tartar. They'll also clean under the gum line, where bacteria is known to build up.

RELATED: 10 Science-Based Dog Teeth Care Tips

3. Water Additives Help With Dog Bad Breath 

Many water additives on the market help prevent plaque and tartar buildup on teeth.

These additives break up bacteria naturally found in water and break up the bacteria in your dog's mouth.

4. How To Get Rid of Dog Bad Breath Home Remedy With Parsley

Parsley is a great ingredient to add to your dog's diet. The herb is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, antioxidants, and folic acid. It can also help freshen your breath.

It would help if you fed parsley in small amounts. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Add one teaspoon to 1 tablespoon (depending on your dog's size) of parsley to your dog's meals every 2-3 days.

I recommend fresh parsley, as it will be more effective. But dried parsley is still beneficial if that is all you have.

5. Pre/Probiotics Dog Bad Breath Home Remedy

8. Dog Bad Breath Home Remedy With Dental Toys and Treats

There are a lot of different chews, treats, and toys available that promote dental health. Dogs have an instinct to chew.

Their natural chewing motion helps scrape plaque and tartar off the teeth.

Dental chews are designed with ridges and grooves to help scrape the teeth. They may also be made with ingredients that promote dental health and fresh breath.

When you're learning how to make a dog's breath smell better, providing chews and toys is a great way to keep the plaque from building up between brushings.

Likewise, there are many dog treats made specifically for dental health. Studies have shown that these types of dog treats can reduce the buildup of bacteria on a dog's teeth by nearly 80%

Dog Bad Breath Home Remedy Summary

If you have questions about the state of your dog's dental health and what you can do to promote his oral hygiene, talk to your veterinarian.

They can help you create a plan to care for your pet's mouth and teeth.

Providing proper dental hygiene will benefit your dog's overall health and well-being, and you'll be glad you did it.

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