As a pet-parent, we love the affection that our pooches shower on us. That tail wagging along with their whole body. Tons of doggie kisses. And let’s face it. Bad breath. It’s a very common problem that dog-parents encounter and there are many over-the- counter solutions for it. But how about trying some home remedies to rid your dog of his bad breath? Read on to know more.
1. Reduce The Meat They Eat
If your dog has bad breath, try cutting down on the amount of meat you give him. At the same time, you can increase rice and veggies in his diet, so that he continues to get his nutrients from his food.
2. Modify Their Dog Food Options
If your dog has bad breath, you need to check the diet that he is on. If his dog food has ingredients like fish, they will make his breath smell. Another thing to consider would be to reduce his intake of wet food, and use the drier varieties of dog food.
3. Give Them Bones To Chew On
What causes bad breath in dogs is the building up of plaque on their teeth over a period of time. Giving him a bone to chew not just keeps him happy, but it helps remove the plaque from his teeth, which in turn reduces his bad breath.
4. Keep Their Bowls Clean
Cleaning your dog’s food and water bowls everyday goes a long way in making sure your pet’s breath doesn’t develop an odor as it discourages bacteria from growing and entering your dog’s mouth along with his food and water.
5. Give Them Probiotics
Including probiotics in your dog’s diet will aid digestion and help keep his gut healthy. And a healthy gut means fresher breath. Seek your vet’s advice before starting your pet on these.
6. Use Parsley To Freshen Their Breath
You can make your own natural mouth freshener for your dog or cat by soaking sprigs of parsley in hot water. Remove the parsley and let the water cool. If your dog likes the taste you can have him drink it, else put it in a spray bottle and spritz it in his mouth.
7. Make Them Drink More Water
Your dog needs plenty of fresh water to be healthy. And so do his teeth. Making sure he has access to fresh and clean water at all times will help keep his breath smelling fresh, as water helps wash down all the food particles that tend to accumulate on and around his teeth. Water also ensures that his mouth remains wet, which is important for good dental hygiene.
8. Brush Their Teeth Often
Brushing your dog’s teeth often is one of the best solutions to bad breath. You can get a dog toothpaste that has a poultry flavor, so that your dog doesn’t resist your brushing his teeth. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles that don’t hurt your dog’s gums.
9. Feed Them Carrots
If your dog likes carrots, giving him some fresh carrots after his meal will help get rid of plaque from his teeth. Since carrots are mildly abrasive and crunchy, they stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth which further helps remove food particles from the mouth and around the teeth.
10. Add Apple Cider Vinegar To Their Water
Adding just half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s water bowl can make a big difference to his breath.
11. Add Brown Rice To Their Diet
A lot of times, digestive problems can cause bad breath. If your pet has bad breath, adding a little bit of cooked brown rice to his food will help speed up his digestion and reduce bad breath.
12. Get Them Some Chew Toys
Chew toys aren’t just fun to play with, they also help remove the accumulated tartar from your dog’s teeth. It’s a good idea to get lots of chew toys for your pet and rotate them to keep him interested in playing with them.
