Does your pup have foul-smelling breath? One of the most effective ways to get rid of bad dog breath in canines is with a dental spray that’s formulated for pets. Why not try a homemade dog breath spray?
If you worry about using a conventional spray to get rid of your dog’s bad breath because of the ingredients, you can stop worrying. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a do-it-yourself dog dental spray at home. We have everything you need to know about:
- How to make a safe and effective dog dental spray at home
- The natural remedies to rid your pup of bad breath
- The cause of bad breath in dogs
Read on, and you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to ensure your dog has a clean mouth that’s free of bacteria. First, it’s essential to consider what causes a dog to have stinky breath to determine the best treatment so your pup has sweet-smelling breath.
What Causes Dogs To Have Bad Breath?
When a dog has bad breath, it’s often due to something they ate. However, foul-smelling breath in a dog could be a sign of a medical problem that requires veterinary attention.
These are the most common reasons for your dog to have halitosis or bad breath.
1. The primary cause of stinky dog breath is bacteria from a build-up of tartar and plaque.
2. Plaque can build up when owners don’t practice regular dog teeth cleaning or have regular veterinary dental cleanings.
3. The presence of plaque and tartar initially may not seem serious. However, bacteria by the millions can multiply quickly and cause your pup to have bad breath.
4. Some dog owners think that tartar and plaque aren’t a serious problem. However, millions of bacteria get into plaque and tartar. When the bacteria multiply quickly, they cause bad breath.
5. Tartar and plaque build-up can cause gingivitis, which causes the gums to swell and lead to periodontal disease in the gums [1].
6. More than 80 percent of all dogs have some form of gum disease by the time they’re three years old. The condition can be reversed by daily tooth brushing and regular dental checkups with your veterinarian.
7. When plaque gets hard, it turns into a yellowish-brown substance called tartar. When the plaque gets to the tartar stage, it’s necessary to have a veterinarian do a professional cleaning.
8. When bacteria get into the dog’s bloodstream, they may travel to the kidneys and heart and affect their function.
If your dog is fed a diet of dog food, it will affect their breath, which is a temporary situation. Some dogs have the disgusting habit of eating whatever they find in the garbage or animal poop they find in the yard. If you have a dog that’s a scavenger, you can discourage the behavior by keeping the lid on the garbage can and keeping your yard cleaned up. There are supplements that prevent a dog from eating poop.
An interesting fact about dogs:
Most pups will go after cat feces. If you’re a dog and cat parent, it might be hard to break your dog off this nasty habit. Here are some natural solutions:
1. Provide your pup with high-quality food that gives them the nutrition they need.
2. Pick up your dog right after a potty break.
3. Dogs that eat stools may have a hydrochloric acid deficiency. Add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar per 25 pounds of body weight to your pup’s food.
4. You might try a digestive enzyme supplement that breaks down the food so your dog gets more nutrients from his diet.
5. Plain, canned pumpkin is an excellent addition to a dog’s diet. Pumpkin can help with digestive upsets, constipation, and diarrhea. An important tip to remember:
You should only give your dog plain, 100 percent canned pumpkin without any additional ingredients. Pumpkin pie filling has ingredients that can be harmful to dogs.
Additional Causes Of Bad Dog Breath
Coprophagia is the condition of dogs that eat poop that they expel and what other animals leave outside or in a litter box. The problem causes terrible breath in dogs and may make their owners experience nausea. When any nasty substance gets caught between your dog’s teeth, it causes foul-smelling breath.
Another possible cause of bad breath in a dog is kidney disease. If a dog suffers from this condition, the breath usually smells like ammonia or urine. Common symptoms include sadness, listlessness, decreased or increased water consumption or urination, and changes in appetite and weight.
Besides bad breath, if a dog isn’t eating, has yellowish gums, and is vomiting, it could be an indication of liver disease. The dog’s breath will smell musty or like a dead animal.
When a dog has fruity or sweet-smelling breath, it could indicate diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes include consuming more water and urinating frequently, and changes in behavior. Your veterinarian can do diagnostic tests and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Megaesophagus is a digestive condition that occurs when the esophageal tube stretches. If your dog has unusual symptoms like changes in the stool, vomiting, diarrhea, or a change in appetite, you should consult your veterinarian.
Rhinitis or Sinusitis can cause a dog’s mucous membranes to get inflamed and could obstruct the respiratory tract. Like humans, dogs will breathe through their mouth instead of their nose when they have a sinus problem. When the dog’s mouth dries out, it causes bad breath.
Treatment for Bad Breath In Dogs
The treatment depends on the cause and severity of the problem. If your dog has periodontal disease, cleaning should be done under anesthesia. Cleaning can help to get rid of tartar and plaque above and below’s the dog’s gumline. After a dental cleaning, your dog’s teeth and bums will be x-rayed to get a dental assessment. Depending on the severity, teeth may have to be extracted. If the cause of your dog’s bad breath is raiding the garbage or unsupervised snacks and you can’t brush your pup’s teeth each day, a canine dental spray may be the best option. If you choose to brush your pup’s teeth each day you can even make homemade dog toothpaste.
Homemade Dog Dental Spray Can Help
If you prefer a homemade spray to conventional dental sprays, here’s what you should know.
Parsley is an excellent ingredient for homemade dental spray. Parsley has vitamins and minerals that help the immune system and renal function. Parsley is an antioxidant and helps with inflammatory diseases, including arthritis. Parsley aids digestion removes toxins and gives your dog fresh breath.
Parsley Dental Spray
Pour one cup of boiling water into a bowl and soak several curly leaf parsley sprigs for about five minutes. Remove from the water and cool to room temperature. Pour the cooled water and parsley extract into a plastic spray bottle. Small amounts of curly leaf parsley can be added to your dog’s food. Parsley can be mixed with water to make juice and added to a dog’s water bowl. You should only use curly leaf parsley. Never use spring parsley. Spring parsley is part of the carrot family and is poisonous.
Alternatives To Brushing Or Dental Sprays For Dogs
1. Apples and Carrots
If you have a dog that’s resistant to having its teeth brushed, you might try peeling a carrot or apple and letting your dog have it as a snack. Please remove the carrot stem and slice the apple. Dogs should never have apple seeds or cores. Carrots are excellent for removing plaque and getting rid of the odor from bacteria. Dogs love delicious snacks like apples and carrots.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can be used as a natural canine toothpaste. This natural oil is excellent for improving the skin and coat of dogs, but it has even more benefits. Coconut oil is very effective for reducing bacteria in your pet’s mouth. Coconut oil’s benefits are:
- Antibacterial
- Anti-fungal
- Antiviral
You can get rid of bacteria in your dog’s mouth by adding a few teaspoons of coconut oil to the food.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Everyone knows that apple cider vinegar is an excellent salad dressing. Apple cider vinegar is also effective in getting rid of bad breath in dogs. One-half teaspoon of organic and raw apple cider vinegar in a dog’s water bowl can significantly improve its breath. There’s a high concentration of acetic and malic acid in apple cider vinegar that kills the bacteria that cause bad breath. Apple cider vinegar contains nutrients for good dental health, including:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
4. Citrus Fruits
Lemon has a high concentration of acid that kills bacteria and is a natural deodorizer. Adding a few drops of lemon juice to your dog’s water bowl will kill bacteria in their teeth and on the gums. Your pup will have fresh breath when you add a few drops of lemon juice to fresh, clean water.
5. Yogurt
Hydrogen sulfide is a sulfur compound that gets secreted by bacteria in your dog’s mouth and causes foul-smelling breath. To decrease the levels of hydrogen sulfide levels and kill bacteria, you can mix yogurt into your pup’s food each time he eats. Yogurt contains calcium that aids in a healthy mouth and strong teeth.
Yogurt contains calcium essential to keep teeth strong and promote a healthy mouth. Yogurt is high in probiotics, the live microorganisms that help to fight bad breath and have additional health benefits. Probiotics are good bacteria that fight harmful germs and bacteria in your dog’s mouth. Your dog can get the benefits of probiotics from small amounts of yogurt or probiotic supplements.
6. Probiotics
Canine probiotic supplements are available without a prescription from pet product suppliers. However, if you’ve never used a probiotic for your dog, you may want to check with your veterinarian for recommendations. Your vet knows your dog and may recommend a specific brand and dosage.
7. Mint
One of the most common human remedies for indigestion is mint. Many people who suffer from indigestion drink mint tea to soothe an upset stomach, and it can help. When there’s any inflammation, mint can prevent the stomach acid that causes bad breath from reaching the mouth. Mint and parsley have something in common; both contain chlorophyll that’s believed to have healing properties. Sprinkle a few fresh mint leaves into your dog’s food each morning and evening to improve its breath.
Bad breath and periodontal disease are common among many small or brachycephalic dogs because their teeth are structured. Small breed dogs have teeth that are much closer together than larger breeds. More tartar can build up in their teeth in larger amounts. These dogs need dental spray and daily toothbrushing. Breeds that are more prone include:
- Chihuahua
- Dachshund
- Maltese
- Toy Poodles
- Yorkshire Terriers
Dogs that are bearded like Schnauzers get bad breath often because of the coat around the mouth that can trap food or debris that grows foul-smelling bacteria. Small dogs may be more prone to bad breath but, it does occur in larger breeds.
