Dog and cat owners can agree on one thing: No matter how much we love our pets, we do not love their bad breath.
Stinky breath is familiar enough in pets. We often dismiss it as normal.
However, that rotten smell coming from your beloved dog or cat’s mouth usually has a reason. Some of those reasons are preventable.
The most common reasons for bad breath in your dog or cat are:
- Oral hygiene and periodontal disease – A build-up of plaque and tartar in your pet’s gums and teeth from lack of brushing or cleaning.
- Bad eating habits – This includes dogs who will eat anything, garbage included.
- Food or foreign object caught in your pet’s teeth or gums – A small piece of food, or a piece of string can hide in your pet’s mouth and decompose over time.
Bad breath in your dog or cat can also be a sign or symptom of more serious conditions, like kidney or liver diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and more.
So be sure to stay up to date with vet visits, especially if you notice new or worsening bad breath.
But the best way to stay on top of your pet’s oral health, and to prevent bad breath, is through smart oral hygiene practices.
Pets need their teeth and gum cared for just as humans do. The five remedies below can help keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy and their breath smelling fresh.
5 Remedies for Pets with Bad Breath
Breath Bites for Dogs of All Sizes – Pet Naturals of Vermont
Breath Bites for Dogs of All Sizes from Pet Naturals Of Vermont are delicious chewable treats that use natural ingredients like Champignon mushroom extract, cinnamon, parsley, Yucca schidigera extract, and spirulina to freshen your dog’s breath and support a healthy balance of bacteria in your dog’s mouth. These natural ingredients work together to support a healthy gastrointestinal system, help control fecal odor, and promote fresh breath.
Healthy Gums for Dogs & Cats – Pet Wellbeing
To help maintain the health of your pet’s gums and teeth, try Healthy Gums for Dogs & Cats from Pet Wellbeing. This formula comes in liquid dropper form and contains a proprietary blend of ingredients that includes:
- Calendula flower
- Marshmallow root
- Goldenseal root
- Bayberry root bark
- Chinese Skullcap
- Prickly Ash bark
- Coptis root
- Myrrh gum
- Coenzyme Q10
- Vitamin C
- Zinc oxide
These ingredients are all contained within a medium chain triglyceride oil base for optimal absorption. Healthy Gums for Dogs & Cats supports healthy gums, and teeth may also support a healthy immune response to microbial challenges and help maintain gum health during normal aging.
Finger Brush – PetzLife
The Finger Brush from PetzLife is a soft toothbrush that’s easy to use on your cat or dog’s teeth and gums. The Finger Brush is a soft brush that fits over your finger, making it easy to simultaneously gently cleanse your pet’s teeth and massage their gum line to support fresh breath and oral health at the same time.
Dental Gel for Cats and Dogs Peppermint Flavor – Dr. Mercola
Dental Gel for Cats and Dogs Peppermint Flavor from Dr. Mercola is a 100% natural, plant-based formula that helps clean your pets’ teeth, freshen their breath, and promote clean gums. This peppermint flavored dental gel does this with eight key plant extracts: Peppermint oil, grapefruit seed extract, thyme oil, neem oil, tulsi oil, and cardamom oil. Dental Gel for Cats and Dogs helps keep your pet’s teeth clean, even without brushing.
VF Bio-Dent for Pets – Standard Process
For a powerful tool to help support your pet’s oral health, try VF Bio-Dent for Pets from Standard Process. VF Bio-Dent for Pets uses calcium, phosphorus, and manganese to support the bony structures and connective tissues in your pet’s mouth, along with complex food-based ingredients to provide support for their endocrine and immune system health. VF Bio-Dent helps keep your pet’s mouth and body healthy by supporting average growth and development of bone and the oral cavity, supporting the health of oral tissues, and supporting the oral cavity, particularly in times of stress.
How do you keep your pet’s breath smelling fresh?
