Let’s face it, no one likes stinky dog breath! In today’s post, we’ll be taking a look at some of the common causes of bad breath in dogs, how to treat it, and our top 10 picks for the best dog treats for bad breath.
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What causes bad breath in dogs?
According to the American Kennel Club, poor oral hygiene and periodontal (gum) disease are the most common causes of stinky dog breath.
A build-up of plaque and tartar not only causes bad breath in itself, but the bacteria associated with this build-up can also lead to cavities, tooth decay, infection and inflammation which further contribute to the problem of bad breath.
Other more serious causes of bad breath in dogs can include unpleasant dietary habits (like eating garbage), and disease, for example, diabetes, liver disease and kidney disease.
How to prevent bad breath in dogs, and why good dental hygiene is important:
If the cause of your dog’s bad breath is the result of poor oral health and a build-up of plaque and tartar, a good dental hygiene routine is crucial for getting the teeth back in tip-top condition and eliminating stinky dog breath.
If build-up is severe, your dog may benefit from a dental scale and polish at your local vet before commencing a preventative maintenance regime.
A good dental hygiene routine needn’t be difficult – while daily brushing is ideal if your dog will tolerate it, dental chews and treats are also beneficial as they help to clean the teeth naturally through the mechanical act of chewing.
Similarly, the hard, textured nature of many dental treats also helps to ‘scrub’ excessive build-up from the teeth, meanwhile, ingredients like parsley and mint help to freshen your dog’s breath.
Check out our top 10 picks for best dog treats for bad breath (and good dental hygiene!) below;
10 Best Dog Treats for Bad Breath:
When deciding on a dental treat range that’s right for your dog, remember to take your dog’s size and chewing preferences into consideration.
For aggressive chewers, be careful of compressed chews as your dog may inadvertently break off and swallow large chunks which could lead to choking and/or intestinal upset.
Similarly, always observe serving size suggestions and treating schedule frequency recommendations on the pack and supervise your dog while they eat!
Made with natural, easy-to-digest ingredients. Veterinarian recommended and VOHC accepted. Greenies clean to the gum line. Mint flavoured.
Grain-free dental dog sticks. Whimzees help prevent bad breath through the removal of plaque and tartar build-up. Avail. in small, medium and large.
Amazon’s Choice. Chicken flavored biscuits containing mint and parsley for fresh breath and a hard texture to aid in the removal of plaque and tartar build-up.
Grain and potato free. All-natural double ‘brush’ dog chew cleans teeth whilst mint-flavoured strips help to freshen your dog’s breath. X-small to large sizes available.
Grain-free and gluten-free dental chews with no artificial colours, flavors or preservatives. Helps to clean your dog’s teeth and remove plaque/tartar build-up.
This dental kit uses enzymatic toothpaste in conjunction with dental treat chews to help break down debris and bacteria on the teeth that cause bad breath.
VOHC accepted and vet recommended, OraVet dental chews create a protective barrier on the teeth to help prevent plaque and tartar build-up.
VOHC accepted and made in the USA. Milk Bone Brushing Chews daily dental treats help to freshen breath by reducing tartar build-up on your dog’s teeth.
Dingo Dental Spirals help to freshen breath naturally with parsley and peppermint, while natural chewing action reduces plaque and tartar build-up. Suitable for all dog sizes.
Made in the USA. Minites contain five breath-freshening ingredients incl. alfalfa, parsley, fennel, dill, and peppermint.
