Nearly every pet parent is familiar with the stink of doggy breath. Your pup loves giving kisses, but the stench can be foul! Cuddling with your fur-babies would be a lot more lovely if your pup’s breath was just a little nicer on the senses.
In some cases, halitosis can be the cause of more serious, underlying issues, in which case you should take your pup to the vet. But bad breath is more commonly the result of bacteria build-up in your pup’s mouth or gut. Sure, there are plenty of commercial pet products that can help treat this issue… at an expensive price. And these products often provide no guarantee, and can give your pet just as many health problems as they do health benefits.
Instead, try these 7 natural solutions to help your dog’s bad breath:
- Mint & Parsley
Mint and parsley help bad breath for people and dogs! Parsley contains chlorophyll which can provide deodorizing benefits to your pup’s diet. Chlorophyll can also combat the bacteria in his mouth and digestive system. It’s safe, natural, inexpensive, and easy to find. How can you go wrong? Try sprinkling about 1 Tsp. of parsley over your dog’s food bowl.
Mint is another obvious choice to address stinky breath! Not only is mint a natural deodorizer that also provides chlorophyll, but it can promote good digestion and soothe tummy troubles. Like parsley, you can sprinkle mint over your dog’s food and enjoy the minty-fresh benefit!
You can even add in some fresh mint to homemade dog treats! We have tips and recipes on Instagram under our Highlight Icon, ‘TIPS.’ Trust us - you’ll want to check these beautiful and tasty treats out!
- Lemon
Because bacteria is the leading cause of bad breath, the acid in lemon can help combat bacteria and also deodorize his mouth. Just like herbs, lemons are inexpensive and can be found anywhere. Adding a few drops of lemon juice to his water is a simple and effective way to freshen up his mouth and treat his immune system.
Or, get creative, and treat your dog to the mint-and-lemon-infused water that many humans enjoy!
- Fresh Water
Your dog’s water bowl is a breeding ground for bacteria, even when you think it’s clean. Especially considering that most water bowls are laced on the floor, your dog’s water bowl can collect dust, fur, and debris… not to mention his slobber.
If your dog has bad breath, try kicking it up a notch when it comes to giving your dog fresh water. Don’t just rinse out his bowl, but thoroughly wash it every day, and refill it often with clean water. You’ll be amazed to see the difference!
- Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is known to have a wide variety of uses for humans, and now you can add dental hygiene to the list. Coconut oil is a healthy fat for Fido’s diet and is also a sweet treat he’ll love.
Adding a spoonful of coconut oil to his food can promote healthy digestion and immune system function, which will ultimately aid in treating his stinky breath. It’s also good for allergies and a healthy coat. You might even try brushing his teeth with coconut oil (but also continue with his regular teeth cleaning!).
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Is there anything apple cider vinegar can’t do? Apple cider vinegar is considered nature’s disinfectant, so it’s safe to add to your dog’s water or food bowl. Because of apple cider vinegar’s high content of malic and acetic acids, it can help kill that stinky bacteria living in your pup’s mouth and gut.
It’s also rich with nutrients and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which will help support your pup’s overall health. A lot of dogs even love the taste!
- Probiotics
Since stinky breath can be the result of bad bacteria living in your dog’s gut, you should consider including more probiotics in his diet. Probiotics help promote a healthy digestive system by giving your dog the good bacteria that combats the bad.
There are many probiotic sources that are safe for dogs: yogurt or kefir, bananas, and honey all contain healthy probiotics. Check with your vet before feeding your pet these human-foods, and ask what quantity is best for your pooch.
- Natural Snacks
Many commercial chews and treats will claim to aid in your dog’s dental hygiene, but as we’ve mentioned, those solutions aren’t always natural or safe. Your dog needs to chew to help treat plaque and tartar build-ups, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated! For instance, simply giving him a big hearty carrot to chew on will provide the chewing benefits he needs and give him an all-natural, healthy snack. Carrots are a great way to help scrape off the plaque in between his regular teeth cleanings. Apples and celery do the trick, too, but make sure not to give your dog too much.
But if you’re looking for an all-natural way to deal with your dog’s stinky breath and give him a treat, our Simply Natural Air-Dried Chews are the way to go! Our lamb trachea, duck feet, and beef trachea are all slow air-dried to lock in all the yummy nutrients that will help build strong joints in your pup and promote good dental hygiene.
At Homescape Pets, we know your dog loves to chew… and we know that you love when your pup has fresh breath! We wanted to formulate natural chews that are species-appropriate so that every dog can enjoy them. Check out our different chews and see which one is best for your pet!
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