Dog Bad Breath (Dog Halitosis)

Dog bad breath can be caused by a lot of reasons, from a poor diet, dental and gum problems to more serious health issues such as diabetes. This page looks at some possibe causes of bad breath in dogs. It also discusses how to use herbs and supplements together with regular dental care to effectively to deal with this common doggie problem.

Doggie bad breath! Yikes!

Have you ever been kissed by a friendly dog with bad breath? It can be deadly!

Some people dismiss dog bad breath as "just doggy breath". It is true that a dog's breath is far from heavenly fresh most of the time, but it should not be bad. Particularly, if the foul breath does not disappear in a day or two, it usually means that something is wrong, either in the mouth or somewhere else in the body.

Therefore, dog halitosis, the condition of bad breath in dogs, should be properly addressed; and the good news is, it can be fixed.

What Causes Dog Bad Breath?

There are quite a few common problems that may cause canine halitosis. Some can be fixed easily; however, some may be due to health problems so you should not take dog bad breath lightly and should try to find out the root problem causing your dog's bad breath.

Here are some possible causes of bad breath in dogs:

Diet

Dogs on a poor-quality diet may develop bad breath. The low-quality ingredients in such diets can cause indigestion which in turn may cause bad breath. Many dog owners have been able to enjoy fresh doggie breath after switching their dog's diet to a natural,organic diet.

Diseases

Also, some diseases can cause bad breath, such as:

Periodontal disease such as gingivitis.
Tooth abscesses
Poor digestion (e.g. gas, constipation, diarrhea)
Stomach or intestinal problems
Diabetes
Kidney or liver disease
Mouth cancer

If your dog suffers from chronic bad breath even if she is having a high-quality, natural diet, be sure to get her checked out by a veterinarian to see if her bad breath is caused by some underlying health problem.

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Herbs for Dog Bad Breath

If your dog has bad breath sometimes caused by upset tummy or indigestion, try using these herbs:

Dill: Dill is antibacterial and can inhibit bacterial growth and reproduction in the mouth. It can even be effective in treating the early onset of gingivitis. Use an infusion of the herb and add a few drops to your dog's drinking water.

Parsley: Parsley leaves and stems are extremely nutrititious, antimicrobial, and they make a good breath freshener for your dog. Chopped parsley can be sprinkled on your dog's food. Alternatively, include chopped parsley as an ingredient for her home-made dog biscuit.
Ginger: If your dog's bad breath is caused by indigestion, try using ginger to help settle her upset tummy. Simply put one or two slices of fresh ginger to a cup of hot water. Let it cool down and remove the ginger slices. Give one to 2 teaspoons of the ginger tea to your dog (depending on her size).

Aromatherapy for Doggie Bad Breath

The essential oil peppermint is effective in combating dog bad breath. It can also help settle any stomach problems at the same time. Check out Doggie Breath Wellness Oil. This natural organic aromatherapy product contains peppermint oil and is ideal for use on dogs with not-so-heavenly breath.

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Other Ways to Combat Dog Bad Breath

You can also try the following to get rid of bad breath in your dog:

Regular Brushing: Since plaque and tartar build-up is one reason that causes canine halitosis, brushing your dog's teeth daily is important to prevent tartar buildup and subsequent gum diseases. Please visit our page on Canine Teeth Cleaning for information on brushing your dog's teeth and using other natural products to keep your dog's teeth clean and plaque-free.
Supplements: If your dog's bad breath is caused by poor digestion, try adding digestive enzymes to his daily food to help digestion.
In addition, this homeopathic remedy, Newton Homeopathics Doggy Breath for Dogs and Cats is also effective for dogs with bad breath due to poor digestion:
Dental Treats: There are good snacks and bad snacks for dogs. Bad snacks are those that contain sugar, preservatives, and are sticky. They are bad for our dogs' teeth. Avoid them.
Good snacks that can help clean our dogs' teeth include hard fresh vegetables and fruit, such as carrots and apples. Sugar-free hard biscuits that contain herbs (e.g. parsley, mint) such as Only Natural Pet Organic Fresh Kisses Biscuits are also good for our dogs' teeth and breath.
Chew Toys: Hard chew toys are also effective in cleaning dogs' teeth. Toys that are made from strong hard ropes are also good - they are like dental floss for your dog.