Being greeted by excited puppy kisses is among the greatest ways to wake up in the morning. But it might be slightly less enjoyable if your young dog’s breath is becoming a little bit intolerable.
Bad breath in dogs is called “halitosis.” Halitosis can have several causes, including:
- Periodontal disease caused by bacteria associated with plaque or tartar
- Bleeding within the mouth
- Decomposing food stuck in pockets around teeth
- Consumption of something with a foul odor
- Systemic issues like kidney disease
Among the causes of stinky breath in dogs, periodontal disease is the number 1 culprit. As gingivitis progresses into inflammation of the tooth socket, bacteria cause destruction of the tissues around the tooth. The buildup of bacteria and the associated decay of tissues results in stinky breath.
Luckily, there are many steps you can take at home to manage your dog’s stinky breath.
The following tips will help keep your dog’s breath fresh:
- Brush your young dog’s teeth. The gold standard recommendation is to brush your dog’s teeth at least once daily with pet-safe toothpaste. The minimum to prevent tartar buildup is at least 3 times per week. You should aim to brush each side of the mouth for at least 30 seconds.
- Give your pet dental treats. Use treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). These treats are proven to reduce accumulation of plaque and tartar by scrubbing plaque and calculus from the teeth as your pet chews. Some treats contain ingredients that also prevent plaque from adhering to the teeth.
- Use water additives. VOHC-certified water additives can reduce plaque and tartar buildup, as well as fight bad breath.
- Keep your young dog’s diet regular. Giving your pet foods with strong smells could contribute to bad breath.
- Get regular dental examinations. Your veterinarian will look at your pet’s teeth at each wellness visit, allowing for early intervention if they notice anything concerning. They can also discuss with you how to improve at-home dental care.
- Say “yes” to lab work. Some health conditions like kidney disease can cause bad breath. Regular blood and urine testing during annual wellness visits will provide baseline values for your pet and allow for early detection of systemic illness.
If at-home management isn’t enough to control your puppy’s stinky breath, we recommend a veterinary appointment to rule out underlying medical issues. Although systemic health issues like kidney disease are not as common in young dogs, your veterinarian may consider ruling these out with blood and urine testing if they cannot find a dental explanation for the odor of your dog’s mouth.
Your veterinarian can address early periodontal disease with a professional cleaning, which removes plaque and tartar from the visible tooth, as well as beneath the gumline. They’ll also look at each tooth individually and assess the dental structures beneath the gumline with dental x-rays. This procedure is performed under anesthesia and is recommended annually.
Find everything you need to care for your pet’s oral health on shopmyvca.com.
