According to data from the American Veterinary Association, periodontal disease and gum disease are the main causes of bad breath in dogs, with 80% of dogs and 70% of cats having more or less gum problems before the age of two. Oral bacteria adhere...
According to data from the American Veterinary Association, periodontal disease and gum disease are the main causes of bad breath in dogs, with 80% of dogs and 70% of cats having more or less gum problems before the age of two. Oral bacteria adhere to the surface of the teeth to form plaques. After the plaque becomes hard, tartar can be produced. Infection under the gums will cause gum problems and even teeth will fall off.
Let’s take a look at what methods can help dogs reduce bad breath.
1. Food choice
Why do dogs have bad breath? What to do if dogs have bad breath?
Because dogs are omnivorous animals and mainly focus on carnivorous. After eating, food residues remain between the teeth and the mouth will smell bad.
1. Dry dog food
Daily eating habits also have an impact on teeth. Generally speaking, dry dog food is better than wet dog food (canned). Wet dog food can easily cause tartar to accumulate on teeth, while dry food is harder and crunchy. When dog bites dry food, they can scrape the surface of the teeth cleaner.
Some owners are used to keeping dog food there all day long, and dogs can eat it any time, but in fact, this is not good, because the bacteria in their mouths will be more active every time they eat. If they feed them twice a day, the bacteria will be only active twice.
2. Vegetables and fruits
Remember to feed fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and high fiber frequently. When chewing, you can rub the surface of your teeth and help clean your mouth. Many owners feel distressed when they see their dog eating very slowly, so they only give it soft meat. In fact, the dog's teeth need to be tempered frequently, which will harm it. Add some rough and crisp dog food and gum in addition to dog food, which can rub the surface of teeth when chewing. Such food is not only beneficial to the dog's body, but also very helpful for oral cleaning.
2. Brush your teeth and deodorize it
[Specific method:]
1. Scrub the mouth and take a gauze strip dipped in some normal saline and wrap it around your index finger, and wipe the gums and gaps in the teeth in turn. The movement should be light to avoid damaging the gums.
2. Brushing teeth
and other dogs get used to it, dip them in some pet toothpaste to brush their teeth. The specific brushing method is similar to that of human brushing teeth. Clean teeth and massage gums one by one along the gaps of teeth. If you can't buy a dog-specific toothbrush, a soft-bristled toothbrush for children is also OK. But never use toothpaste for dogs to brush their teeth. Toothpaste for dogs is very irritating and will cause their digestive system discomfort.
Some pet-specific toothpastes have designed their favorite flavors for dogs, including chicken, beef and other flavors. This way, although the dogs are not very adaptable when they start brushing their teeth, they are not too repulsive. Brushing your dog's teeth is a step-by-step process. Don't be in a hurry or think about it in one step.
Generally, many dogs don't like to brush their teeth, so we'd better try using small gauze to gently rub their teeth when they are a few months old, so that they can get used to it slowly, and then convert them into small toothbrushes for dogs. The daily care necessary is done, and dog owners should also take your dog to the veterinary office for professional teeth cleaning regularly (once or twice a year).
3. Tooth cleaning snacks and deodorization
The dental stick helps the dog to change teeth. As for the front canine teeth, there is no need to rush to remove them. Try to play tug-of-war with the dog, which will also speed up the time for him to shed the canine teeth. The latter's permanent teeth have been fixed, and parents must clean the dog's teeth at least once a week.
Of course, you can use the methods described above. In addition, you can also use dog special teeth cleaners (with toothpaste and tooth spray) to choose from, parents can decide for themselves.
4. Medical deodorization
If there is unbearable bad breath, the dog may suffer from oral inflammation, gingivitis, periodontitis or gastroenterology. This requires going to the hospital for treatment. Take it to a veterinarian to check for tartar or excessive tartar, and clean the mouth to improve it. Sometimes bad breath of dogs can be caused by indigestion or internal problems. If you find that your dog has lost weight, increased drinking water and urination, vomiting, abdominal swelling, anorexia and other abnormalities, it may be caused by liver and kidney problems, or diabetes, so you should take it to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
