How to get rid of stinky pet breath
Your pet leans in close for a snuggle and you bend down, only to be hit by a whiff of stinky breath! What is that stinky breath and what causes it?
Stinky breath, also known as halitosis, can have a number of causes, including:
The usual culprit in stinky dog or cat breath is nasty bacteria causing decay, which creates stinky sulfur compounds. Not only do the sulfur compounds cause you to say “Pee-ew!”—they also may play a part in the development of periodontal disease (infection and associated inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth), leading to gum and bone loss.
What can I do to stop the stink?
Treatment of halitosis requires a dental cleaning which will remove plaque and tartar on your pet’s teeth, both above and below the gum line. During the dental cleaning, your veterinarian will examine each tooth for signs of periodontal disease and will take X-rays to assess bone loss. Teeth affected by bone loss will be removed.
What can I do to prevent the stink?
An essential part of pet care is daily brushing. Additionally, there are a number of products available that can help decrease the accumulation of plaque once teeth are clean.
Using oral care products that contain zinc can help stop bad breath. Zinc and hydrogen sulfide combine to form zinc sulfide, which isn’t smelly, and zinc can prevent bacterial growth that can cause bad breath.
Your VCA veterinarian can help you choose the best products for your pet and your lifestyle.
Check out the products that you can use to stop the stink! >>
