Bad breath is also known as halitosis and while this condition has oral causes, it can also be caused by periodontis which is an inflammation of the tooth and the gum area surrounding it. other causes include gingivitis, hair or bones stuck in the teeth, ulceration in the mouth, foreign bodies such as plant matter in the mouth, tumors of the mouth, lung cancer, kidney diseases and canine abscess tooth. The symptoms that every dog owner needs to watch out for include: pain in the mouth, general irritability, bloody gums, loose teeth, falling teeth, difficulty in swallowing, inability to chew properly and depression.
Dog Bad breath can be battled through a few steps and this involves, brushing your dog’s teeth on a regular basis. While this may not eliminate the bad breath completely, it will reduce the plaque build up and hence the bad breath considerably. The dog should be taken to the veterinarian regularly for dental checkups and professional clean ups.
The vet will also be able to determine if your pet is suffering from plaque build up, gingivitis or periodontal disease. Some types of canned dog food and raw meat are potential bad breath causers and are best avoided from the dog diet plan. Try switching to dry dog food and check for an improvement. Keep a track of whether your dog is eating garbage or its own feces. The only way to prevent him or her from eating fecal matter would be to clean it up immediately and to keep the pet away from garbage dumps. If, however, the bad breath persists, you may want to visit your veterinarian and insist on tests to determine whether it is a symptom of liver or kidney disorder. In case the bad breath is a result of decaying gums or teeth, it will have to be taken care of immediately. On the home front you can feed your pet a little cooked brown rice every day as whole grains can pep up digestion and keep away bad breath. After the dog has eaten, toss her or him a carrot. Crunching up a carrot helps produce more saliva which aids in washing away loose food particles around the teeth. Mildly abrasive, it will help in removing the smelly plaque. You can also make your own breath spray at home by boiling three handfuls of parsley in water. Remove the parsley and allow the mixture to cool. Now give a little of it to your pet to drink and if your pet refuses, put it into a clean spray bottle and spritz the pet in the mouth. Take care, however, to not use human deodorants as it can prove harmful for the dog.
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