Natural Remedies for Doggy Breath

Don’t you love some quiet time with your dog?

There’s something calming about just petting his fur. Give him a nice ear rub or scratch just the right place and he’ll lean into you for more. It’s a quiet, idyllic, peaceful scene until he opens his mouth and you’re slammed with doggy breath.

If your dog has chronic bad breath, you should ask your vet about it. Bad breath can be a warning sign of gum or mouth diseases or of serious tooth issues. It can also be a sign of kidney issues or gastrointestinal diseases. If your dog’s breath smells sweet or fruity, it can be a signal that your dog is diabetic.

But even healthy dogs may suffer from bouts of bad breath. Here are some things you can do to help ease that stinky breath.

Start with his water bowl.

One quick and easy place to start battling your dog’s bad breath is with his water bowl. His water bowl should be washed regularly. He should also always have clean, fresh water available to him. Hydration is important for a dog’s good health and can help his breath as well.

You can add a few drops of lemon juice to his water. The citric acid in the lemon will help kill bacteria, both in the water in your dog’s bowl and in his mouth. It also can freshen your dog’s breath.

Adding just a little apple cider vinegar can also help. Like lemon juice, it has anti-bacterial properties. But it’s also rich in anti-oxidants and can help clean your dog’s intestinal tract. But take it easy: just 1/2 teaspoon in your dog’s water bowl is all you need.

Give him a carrot or an apple.

Giving your dog a whole carrot is a great chew toy choice. The hard texture will clean his teeth as he chews. There’s a satisfying crunch as he breaks off smaller pieces. Gnawing makes him salivate. The combination of chewing on something hard and extra saliva will help give his mouth and teeth a good cleaning. A fresh-from-the-fridge carrot can help cool your dog on a hot summer day. Cold carrots can also help cool the sore gums of a puppy that’s teething.

Apples can be given to your dog to chew on. Just make sure that you core it first; apple seeds aren’t good for dogs.

We’d also recommend Honest Kitchen’s Beams dental chews or raw meaty bones. Be sure to supervise any chews given to your pup.

©istockphoto/smilingsunray

Herbs and spices.

Chopping up some fresh parsley for supper? Add a bit to your dog’s food bowl. If you prefer, you can boil a bunch of parsley, and use the cooled water as a breath spray for your dog.

Try these homemade bad breath biscuits. or these fresh breath treats.

Help his digestion.

Digestive problems can also cause bad breath, and adding probiotics to his diet may help your dog’s gut health. Bananas and honey can boost your dog’s natural probiotics. Yogurt is a help as well. Make sure the yogurt isn’t sweetened with xylitol, though. That artificial sweetener can be dangerous to dogs. Giving your dog unsweetened or naturally sweetened yogurt is best.

Coconut oil is an elixir for doggies in many ways. It helps their immune system as well as the digestive system. It helps their metabolism and can help fight bad breath. And it tastes great!

Don’t forget oral hygiene.

Bacteria in your dog’s mouth can be a cause of bad breath. Stuck food particles not only sour your dog’s breath, but can lead to gum disease and tooth issues. Cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly not only helps keep his breath fresh, but also improves his overall health.

If you watch your dog’s diet and treats, keep his mouth and teeth clean, and give him plenty of water, you’ll soon find your dog’s breath is as pleasant to be around as the rest of him.