How to Make Your Pet’s Bad Breath Less Scary This Halloween

Having a pet with foul-smelling breath isn’t a treat for most pet owners. So, what do you do when you notice a scary smell coming from your pet's mouth? And how do you determine whether to resolve the issue at home or call your vet? Most importantly, how do you approach daily brushing or cleaning without turning your precious little angel into a ferocious monster? Fear not! With Halloween right around the corner, we have some tricks (and maybe some treats) to help you tackle one of the spookiest issues in pet health: how to get rid of bad dog breath. 🐶

Looking for an effective at-home routine to help fight your pet’s bad breath? Take our free 20-second quiz and discover the best oral care routine for you and your pet. 🐕🐈 

Why Does My Dog’s Breath Smell?

Most often, dog bad breath is caused by bacteria. After meals, food residue, biofilm, and plaque can creep around your pet’s mouth just like it does in human mouths. When that nastiness settles in, it lurks, like a monster under the bed, until it creates the perfect environment for bacterial growth. Vanquishing the bacteria that cause dog bad breath is key to eliminating odor. And it's no surprise tooth brushing is considered the gold standard among dog owners, vets, and veterinary nurses for fighting plaque and bacteria contributing to periodontal disease. Unlike most humans, though, dogs don’t start or end their day by brushing their teeth. That’s where we as pet owners come in.

How Often Should I Brush My Pet’s Teeth?

Ideally, you should be performing some kind of oral care for your pet every day to remove ghoulish, odor-causing bacteria. That said, every pet is different. Some may tolerate brushing every day, while some may want to skip the brush in lieu of something like daily finger wipes. The important thing is to take it slow. At first, once or twice a week brushing is enough--with consistency, not frequency--as the goal. Once you and your pet are comfortable, then you can increase that number to three or four times per week or more. You also want to make the process as stress-free as possible for your pet. So don’t forget to give lots of praise and rewards for a job well done. The more positive association you can build with brushing, or any kind of oral care, the easier it’ll be on both you and your pet to fall into a routine.

How to Treat Your Pet’s Bad Breath at Home

Seeking out a dog bad breath home remedy is a great impulse, and establishing appropriate at-home oral care is critical for your pet’s long-term health. In fact, combining home care with regular dental cleanings and vet visits goes a long way to helping your pet thrive. Unfortunately, at-home oral care for pets isn’t always easy. Anyone who has loaded up a toothbrush with toothpaste and tried to brush their pet’s teeth knows the process can be stressful for both of you. But with enough praise and treats, your pet will be a brushing pro in no time.

How to Pick the Best Oral Care Pet Products

Another problem many pet parents have with bad breath home remedies is confusion around which products to buy. These days there are numerous toothpastes, gels, toothbrushes, and other oral care items to choose from.That means it may take a few tries before you find the silver bullet to tame your little werewolf. Until you find it, however, you may end up spending your hard-earned cash on items your pet won’t use. Here at HICC PET, we know this process can be frustrating, time-consuming, and costly. The good news is we’ve put together a free 20-second quiz to help take away some of that ghastly guesswork.

Is Bad Breath in Dogs a Sign of Illness?

Outside of finding home remedies, one of the biggest concerns pet owners have about bad breath is whether it’s a symptom of something more severe. In other words, is this an emergency, or is this something that I can address at my next routine vet visit? Let’s look at some facts:

• A 2022 study published in BMC Veterinary Research  concludes that bad breath in dogs is often a precursor to periodontal disease. The study also suggests periodontal disease can be more pronounced in our canine companions due to the increased acidity inside their mouths.
• Likewise, according to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell, periodontal disease shares a link with heart and liver disease. So, it’s possible that unresolved bad breath can create additional health issues for your pet down the road.

These independent studies strongly suggest bad breath can, indeed, be a sign of illness. That might sound like bad news; however, the same Cornell study also suggested regular veterinary dental care visits combined with an effective at-home care routine is the “best approach” to preventing dental disease. That means if you have an at-home oral care routine, you’re already doing the right things to help your furry friend live a happier, healthier life.

Should I See My Vet About My Dog’s Bad Breath?

The short answer here is to always err on the side of caution. If you notice persistent bad breath in your pet, it’s better to have them checked out by a professional for peace of mind and their well-being. Plus, as we established, regular vet visits are integral to preventing and treating dental disease. So, you should discuss dental issues with your veterinarian during your pet’s regular checkups. However, if bad breath is accompanied by pain, excessive salivation, bleeding gums, or a refusal to eat or drink, you should seek immediate medical attention for your pet.

Bad Breath Doesn’t Have to Be Scary

Despite being the season of vampires, witches, and warlocks; of ghouls, ghosts, and goblins, the one thing you don’t have to be afraid of is your pet’s bad breath. While oral care may feel overwhelming, by mixing a bit of prevention, an effective home care routine, and regular vet visits, you’ll have everything you need to make your pet’s breath a little less terrifying--no eye of newt required.

FAQ

Can I fix my pet's bad breath at home?

It's possible to treat bad breath at home. However, the most complete treatment for bad breath and its underlying causes is to combine regular at-home oral care with periodic dental cleanings and appropriate veterinary care.

Does bad breath mean my pet is ill?

It could, and there is an established link between illness and bad breath in pets, specifically dogs. However, the only way to know if your pet is ill and/or the severity of that illness would be to consult your local board-certified veterinarian. (This post and any information contained within it are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure illness. Information offered does not constitute medical advice.)

What's the best routine for at-home oral care?

The term "best" is subjective, and there isn't a single one-size-fits-all approach to at-home oral care. Each pet and pet owner's circumstances will affect their approach. However, we do offer a short quiz on our website to narrow down an effective routine for you and your pet.