People say that puppy breath is one of the sweetest smells in the world. But as your puppy grows, that breath starts to smell pungent. Pretty soon, you can’t stand puppy kisses anymore. And if your dog gets hot, the panting can sour your stomach. What can we do to cure this? Let’s talk about 7 natural remedies to cure your dog’s bad breath. Plus a few things to prevent it from happening again.
What Causes Dog Bad Breath?
To solve your dogs bad breath, you need to find the root of the cause. In most cases, the reason your dog has bad breath is an overpopulation of bacteria. Bacteria clings to your dog’s gums, tongue, and teeth, forming tartar and plaque. And as the bacteria blooms, it starts to decompose the healthy tissues of the mouth.
Sounds scary, doesn’t it? Well, don’t worry, there are simple things you can do at home to reduce bad breath. The first step is to brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week. Products like the Arm & Hammer Tartar Control Dog Kit come with two toothbrushes and a fresh banana mint flavor.
There are also additives for your dog’s water that can cure bad breath. Products like TropiClean Oral Care Water Additive for Pets help fight tartar and plaque. But not all dogs like the taste or smell of this. And you don’t want your dogs to dehydrate for the sake of fresh breath.
And brushing your dog’s teeth doesn’t always get rid of the smell. Dog food and treats can also contribute to bad breath. You might be wondering how to fix dogs bad breath. That’s where our natural remedies dogs bad breath comes in handy.
#1 Parsley
The first of our 7 natural remedies to cure your dog’s bad breath is parsley. Flat-leaf parsley is not only tasty, but it also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Not to mention it is a natural deodorizer. For the best effect, you should use fresh parsley leaves to top off your dog’s meal. The parsley will work at deodorizing from the source. Plus, parsley helps fight gingivitis and swollen gums that can hold bacteria.
However, parsley isn’t safe all the time. Your dog should only get parsley topped meals only three times a week. Any more than this and your pup could experience some intestinal unrest. Most dogs will start to have diarrhea and vomiting if they overeat parsley.
#2 Crunchy Snacks
If your dog has bad breath, you should consider giving them whole crunchy foods. When your dog has built-up plaque and tartar, they are at risk of stinky breath. Feeding dogs fresh fruits and veggies give them that added crunch to scrape their teeth and gums. Some popular favorites are whole carrots, cored apples, and bamboo shoots, to name a few.
As a bonus, these treats are also incredibly healthy and low calorie. You can give your dog any of these treats several times a week and never feel guilty. And your dog won’t be any wiser that they are getting their teeth cleaned regularly.
#3 Coconut Oil
You’re here to learn how to get rid of dog bad breath, and we have some surprising answers. If you have been online at all in the past five years, we are sure you have seen some crazy coconut oil crazes. But we promise this one has some backing to it.
Cold-pressed coconut oil, not cooking oil, is a natural antibacterial and antifungal. If you heat a small amount on the stove, do not microwave, you can create a daily “gravy” for your dog’s food. This coconut oil will strengthen teeth and prevent the spread of harmful odor-causing bacteria. So you can target dog bad breath causes at the source.
#4 Greek Yogurt
Curing a dog with bad breath home remedies should always include Greek yogurt. But not any Greek yogurt. You should look for plain unsweetened natural Greek yogurt. Natural yogurts like this are bountiful in probiotics that eat up the bad breath bacterias that invade your dog’s mouth.
It’s also a fantastic source of protein and fat. So you can feed a couple of tablespoons daily without any repercussions. Your dog will feel full and spoiled, but you will love the sweet fresh breath afterward.
#5 Wheatgrass
Another bad breath home remedy is wheatgrass. This grass is high in fiber, easy to grow, and also helps neutralize odors. The reason wheatgrass works so well is that it’s high in chlorophyll, known for years to deodorize body odors when eaten. It works so well that some people even add it to their shakes for natural deodorizers.
To get started in your wheatgrass farm on a small scale, all you need are paper towels and a shallow plastic dish. Spread the wheatgrass seeds across the wet paper towels, and within a week, you will start to see seedlings. Once the grass is tall enough, trim the tops for a tasty treat. You can add these clippings to your dog’s food, treats, or give it to them as is. Most dogs love the taste and willingly go back for more.
#6 Homemade Treats
Dog bad breath treats have popped up all over in the pet industry. These treats are expensive, and they aren’t always the best quality. But did you know that you can make your own treats to alleviate bad breath? And you don’t even have to turn on your oven for these tasty treats. All you need is:
- 1 cup of plain greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons fresh mint leaves
- 2 teaspoons fresh flat-leaf parsley
- And a tablespoon of coconut oil
Mix each of these ingredients in a bowl and spoon it into an ice cube tray. Freeze until solid, and you’ve got yourself the perfect bite-sized pup ice cream. And your dog will never know that they are healthy for them. But how does this dog bad breath treatment work?
We chose each of these ingredients for combating bad breath due to their unique properties. Mint and parsley work together to deodorize. Greek yogurt gives your dogs good bacteria to eat the harmful odor-causing bacteria. And coconut oil is a natural antifungal and antibacterial to combat any dog with bad breath.
#7 Fresh Water
Our last of the 7 natural remedies to cure your dog’s bad breath is fresh water. So simple, yet so many people forget this daily chore the most. Your dog’s water dish can stagnate within 24 hours. After stagnation happens, bacteria and mold grows and multiplies. If your dog is drinking water left out for longer than 24 hours, they also drink these spores.
And you guessed it; you will have a dog with chronic stinky breath. So one dog bad breath natural remedy that shouldn’t be overlooked is cleaning the water dish. That means washing the container with hot water and soap and refilling it with fresh water daily.
What you put this water in is also very important. Plastic water dishes can carry bacteria in microscopic scratches that soap and water can’t get out. And if you use self-watering bowls, you might want to rethink these as well. These dishes make it easy to forget daily cleaning, and they often hold more bacteria than a dish since they sit for longer.
Instead, you should opt for an appropriately sized stainless steel dish. These dishes are durable and are easy to sanitize. Another option is to use a filtered water fountain that prevents stagnation. You will still have to clean these fountains every week and deep clean the motor at least once a month. But they are perfect for cutting back on the harmful bacteria your dog ingests.
What If My Dog Still Has Bad Breath?
If you have tried all of these dog bad breath remedies natural, you might want to consult a vet. On top of regular teeth brushing at home, they should also have cleanings done at the vet once a year. During these visits, your vet will clean your dog’s teeth just as we get ours done by the dentist.
These appointments are also needed to check the health of your dog’s gums and teeth. If your dog has gum disease, natural remedies might not work well. In some cases, you might find that your dog needs a tooth pulled.
Let’s not forget other medical reasons not related to the mouth that cause bad breath. Things like kidney or liver disease can create stinky dog breath. And if your dog is on any medications, this can also be the cause. All of these are important to know if your dog has chronic bad breath. So don’t forget to schedule yearly teeth cleanings and semi-annual check-ups.
Let The Fresh Breath Come
We hope you liked these 7 natural remedies to cure your dog’s bad breath. You might have found your holy grail sour breath combater or a combination of treats that your dog loves for fresh breath. You will soon love your dog’s attention and affection again. And you won’t even have to hold your breath.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!
