It is our responsibility as a pet owner to make sure our dogs maintain proper oral hygiene. While bad breath in dogs isn’t a serious health concern, it could be a symptom of a much larger, more serious health issue.

3 Causes of Bad Breath in Dogs

Plaque & Tartar Build up

Bad breath in dogs can be caused by a variety of reasons. The most common cause of bad breath in dogs is the build up of plaque and tartar. Dogs don’t brush their teeth everyday like we do. Over time, that plaque will build up in their mouth, hardening on their teeth. This will undoubtedly cause a very unpleasant stench.

Eventually, this plaque will start to affect your dogs’ gums, leading to inflammation and bleeding. Once this happens, it can make bad breath worse, as well as lead to liver and kidney problems. Try brushing their teeth at least once every week. I personally brush my beagle’s teeth every time I give her a bath. This way, I can make a mess and it all goes right down the drain.

Broken or Decaying Tooth

Just like humans, dogs can break their teeth. Keep an eye on what your dog chews on. If they spent a lot of time outside, be sure to clear any sticks or other hard objects that they may chew on. Poor oral hygiene in your dog may eventually lead to weaker, and more susceptible teeth.

Diet & Poor Digestion

The food your dog eats is another determining factor of them having bad breath. Feeding your dog table scraps or other fatty-foods can lead to poor digestion and constipation. If you over-feed them or they don’t get enough water, they may also have problems digesting the food they ate.

Keep your dogs on a regular feeding routine, with high-fiber dog food. Make sure they have at least one or two bowel movements everyday. Avoid giving them table scraps, especially fatty meats and other constipation causing foods. Feeding them the same amount everyday, will help keep their digestive system moving and them at a healthy weight.

4 Remedies for Bad Breath in Dogs

Getting rid of bad dog breath is pretty easy to do. Chances are, brushing your dog’s teeth on a frequent basis will solve the problem. So, implement that into your routine, and your dog will have fresher breath. But, of course, you need to get rid of the stink right now. Below are a few remedies for bad breath in dogs that are simple and effective.

Water & Baking Soda

Mixing warm water, with a little baking soda can help get rid of bad breath. You’ll want to make it into a paste, so don’t use too much water. Simply take a gauze pad or soft rag, and rub the baking soda mix directly onto your dog’s teeth. This will help remove plaque and tartar, as well as instantly improve their breath.

Minty Treats

Most pet stores will sell minty, dental treats that will help with your dog’s bad breath problem. There are many different kinds of dental dog treats, so read the labels carefully. This is probably the most low-maintenance way to get rid of bad breath in dogs. But, understand that these dog treats will only mask the problem, not solve it.

Dental Dog Toys

There are plenty of different dog toys that help with oral hygiene. Search online or at your local pet store for these toys. They are designed to help scrub away plaque as they chew on them.

Baby Carrots

Another way to get rid of your dog’s bad breath is to give them baby carrots. They are a healthy treat, which will assist in the removal of plaque.

Talk to your Veterinarian

Please remember that the bad breath remedies above are merely tips at solving the problem. If your dog consistently has bad breath, it is very likely that is a symptom of a more serious health issue. Go to your veterinarian, and have your dog looked at. They will be able to give you a well educated guess at what’s going on with your dog.

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If you do discover your pup has fleas, then you need to not only get them off of your dog, but also need to sterilize the areas around your house that your dog spends alot of time in.

For example, if your dog has a bed they often sleep in, you should make sure there are no more fleas, eggs or larvae living in the bed. The same goes for your carpets, furniture and anywhere else your dog may visit on a daily basis.

The good news, is that there are many treatment options for fleas on dogs. There are, in fact, many things you can do to sterilize your dogs living environment and body. Below is a list of ten home remedies for fleas on dogs.

1. Use a Good Flea Treatment Shampoo

Make sure to give your dog a bath using a good flea treatment shampoo. Make sure to lather it in and allow it to stay for at least five minutes, or whatever is recommended on the shampoo label. Use warm water and throughly rinse your dogs coat. Make sure all of the shampoo is out of its fur, or it may cause your dog to itch.

2. Use Flea Control Ointments & Liquids

Talk to your veternarian about what flea and tick control products they would recommend. There are many products that you can put on your dogs coat to help deter fleas and ticks from making a home. Ask him what he would recommend for your dog, before you just simply buy the first one you see at the grocery store. Frontline is currently the one that I use on my dogs. It works great!

3. Add Eucalyptus or Neem Oil to Shampoo

Adding a small amount of neem or eucalyptus oil to your dogs shampoo, is another natural remedy for fleas. Mix a very small amount into the shampoo, and use as you normally would. This will help create an environment that deters fleas from living.

4. Vacuum Your House Regularly

Vacuum your house frequently and on a regular basis. This will help pick up any eggs or larve that may have fallen off your dogs coat. Go over every area of the house that your dog spends time in, such as the furniture, carpets and rugs.

If you let your dog sleep in the bed with you, be sure to wash your sheets and pillow cases, as well as vacuum your mattress and pillows.

5. Clean the Doggie Bed

If your pup has a bed they spend a lot of time in, be sure to give this a deep wash in hot, soapy water to kill off all eggs or fleas living in the fabric. Maybe give it a second wash, if you observe a heavy infestation. Once it has been cleaned in water, put it in the dryer and turn up the heat. This will ensure that you kill off all organisms living in the bed. You can also get a flea spray, and spray down the bed, but this method isn’t as effective as washing the whole bed.

6. Keep Your Yard Maintained

If your beagle spends alot of time outside, be sure to keep an eye on your yard. Keep the grass short. Clean up any piles of sticks, leaves or other debris that your dog may get into. Try to prevent them from digging or rolling around in the grass, if possible. I can personally attest that this is hard to do with beagles, or at least my beagle.

7. Groom Your Dog Regularly

If your dog has long fur, it is recommended that you groom your dog on a regular basis. By keeping the fur short, you will help create an environment that is not favorable to fleas.Of course, every breed will need regular grooming, because they have short fur. Beagles, for example, generally have short, straight hair that doesn’t need regular grooming.

8. Make Your Own Herbal Flea Dip

Here is a recipe for making your own all-natural, herbal flea dip that you can use after giving your dog a bath. Simply get at least 3 cups of rosemary, and soak in three pints of boiling water for at least 30-40 minutes. Then, strain the leaves from the water, and mix with one gallon of warm water. After giving your dog a bath, then pour the rosemary water on your dogs coat. Do not rinse it off of your dog, just let it dry.

9. Make Your Own All-Natural Flea Control Spray

Here are a couple of ways to making your all-natural, homemade spray that will help give you a little more control over flea infestations.

• Lavender – Buy a small spray bottle, and fill with warm water. Add two drops of lavender oil and shake well. Simply spray a small amount on your dogs coat to help deter fleas from living there. You can spray this mixture on them a couple times a day if needed. Be sure to avoid spraying it in their eyes.
• Lemon – Cut two small lemons into eight pieces each, and add to a small jug of boiling water. Let the lemons steep for at least 24 hours. When it is ready, strain the water and add to a spray bottle. Spray liberally on your dogs coat, especially around their head, ears and tail. Try to avoid getting it in their eyes.

10. Give Your Dog Small Amounts of Garlic

Not Recommended: If you feed your dog a small amount of garlic on a daily basis, this will help treat fleas. The garlic aroma will come from the dogs skin, and will help create an environment that is not favorable to fleas. Of course, this should be one of the last remedies you try, because like the fleas, you may not find your dog smell to be that pleasing. Large quantities of garlic can be poisonous to a dog, so use this home flea remedy with caution.

Flea Products That Work: