Have you ever heard about periodontal disease? The one where your gum inflates and pathogens constantly attack the teeth. What do you do in such conditions? I am sure the obvious answer is that you run to your doctor with the speed of light. After all bacteria and pathogens in your mouth will lead to the foul smell and gradually affect your internal organs. But what if I say dogs also deal with oral hygiene issues. If you are a dog owner you know how it feels to have a dog with bad breath. If you have to find a cure to diminish the horror of your dog’s breath, perhaps you will need fewer adjectives and more effective solutions.
In this post, we will talk about those solutions and help you keep your dog’s bad breath at bay. In fact, you need to look after the oral hygiene of your dog just like you take care of yours. Bad breath is an indicator of potential health problems like kidney diseases. So, let us nip your dog’s breath in the bud and give a handful of remedies to deal with this problem.
A good brushing routine is imperative
Introduce your dog to oral hygiene at the very onset and then regularly brush your dog’s teeth. If you develop this habit, in the beginning, it will be easy for your dog and you to have their teeth brushed regularly. This is also one of the great ways to show your dog some affection. But always remember to consult your vet before introducing your pooch to oral hygiene products.
In addition to this, you can also use a good dog-friendly mouthwash, if you think brushing is not enough. Because bacteria often mixes with the saliva and forms a colony of several others to affect the entire mouth. In that case, a toothbrush will not be enough. So, make sure you mix some mouthwash in the dog’s water bowl at least for two to three days in the beginning. I personally feel that you should use a mouthwash that is free of xylitol because this chemical compound can be poisonous for your dog. You can instead opt for a natural mouthwash made out of simple food items like salt and echinacea.
Buy multipurpose dog toys
If you are wondering how does a dog toy help improve the oral health of your dog. Well, don’t worry we’ve got you covered. First and foremost a multipurpose rubber toy has several benefits. Not only can you play throw and fetch but you can also hide toothpaste inside the toy. In this way, he will chew toothpaste along with the toy. This technique works best for dog parents who are struggling to have one successful brushing session.
Also, if you don’t know which toy allows you to hide toothpaste and dog treats at the same time. Here’s one that most of the veterinarians recommend – the Kong extreme. This toy is multipurpose and besides improving your dog’s bad breath it will also fulfill his instinctual needs.
Consult a veterinarian
There are several veterinarians out there. I am sure you take your pooch to one and consult him for several dog issues. So, why not consult him when your furry little friend is dealing with the issues of oral hygiene. Because oral care is as important as other dog diseases. In fact, it might lead to major issues in the future if not dealt with in the initial weeks. Now, that we have familiarized ourselves with the vitality of oral care let’s dive right into the advice of a veterinarian.
Dr. Marty Becker says that most dogs develop dental issues as soon as they are three years old. In fact, your personal veterinarian will say the same thing and advise you to check into dental hygiene at least once a year. Now, all you have to do is consult your vet if the problem still persists.
Serve your dog food rich in probiotics
Many vets believe that dogs’ bad breath is a result of bacterial infection and there are several things you can do to alleviate this medical condition. To start with, give your dog food that is rich in probiotics, like yogurt. But make sure your emotional support dog is lactose tolerant and feed him a spoon or two of plain yogurt. You can also give your pooch other probiotic-rich food items like kefir, bananas, and honey.
Clean your dog’s water bowl regularly
Most of the time we tend to ignore the tiniest details and it is human nature to do so. But we are talking about your dog’s dental health here, especially foul breath. So, there is one little thing you have to practice every day. Each time you refill the water bowl, first empty it out and then clean it thoroughly. Next, dry it and then pour fresh water into it. This will reduce the number of bacteria a simple water bowl or more precisely an unclean bowl can contain. Most vitally, always remember that a water bowl is also a good bacteria breeding spot and you don’t want your dog to drink bacteria-filled water every day.
It’s never too late to start good dental hygiene practices for your furry friend. If you feel that the problem still persists and you have tried everything. Visit a vet right away and discuss the problem with them.
