What To Feed Dogs With Bad Breath

Does your dog have bad breath? Maybe your dog ate something stinky, maybe they need dental work, or maybe they just have bad breath for no apparent reason.

Here, we break down why dog's breath smells, why dental hygiene in pets is important, and how to supplement teeth brushing with other daily routines that can help maintain good dental health overall.

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Did you know...

Dry kibble can actually do more harm than good to your dog's teeth. Feeding wholesome, high-quality meats and vegetables provide enzymes and omega-3 fatty acids that help maintain good oral health!

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What Causes Bad Breath In Dogs

Just like humans, dogs can develop plaque from eating food and not regularly brushing their teeth. When that plaque builds up on dog’s teeth, it hardens and turns into tartar. As tartar builds, it can lead to periodontal disease (a bacterial infection that, if left untreated in dogs, can lead to tooth loss and other health problems). While periodontal disease is the most common cause of bad breath in dogs, there are a handful of other factors that can affect dogs’ breath. For example, highly processed dog kibble might not sit well in a dog’s digestive system, causing bad breath. Consistent bad breath in dogs can also be a sign of underlying health conditions. Check with your vet if your dog has persistent bad breath. While brushing your dog’s teeth is the best way to combat the plaque and tartar build-up that could be the cause of your dog’s bad breath, there are a few foods that can help naturally clean teeth and eliminate bad breath.

Best snacks to help with dental hygiene:

Some foods can naturally help clean teeth and eliminate bad breath, such as: Apple slices, Carrots, Cucumber slices, & Celery. Or, you can try our Apple & Mint Biscuits, which provide some reprieve from that dog breath!

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When giving your dog carrots, cucumber slices, celery sticks, or apple slices, always give your dog small pieces and supervise for choking. In addition to the foods mentioned above that can help prevent bad breath in dogs, there are a few herbs you can mix into your dog’s daily food to help manage bad breath. Curly-Leaf Parsley: Parsley has high levels of chlorophyll, which is known to have deodorizing and antibacterial properties. Be sure that your dog doesn’t eat more than a few leaves of parsley a day, as parsley can be toxic to dogs. Mint: Dogs can chew a tiny amount of mint leaves for fresher breath! Just like parsley, however, be sure that your pooch doesn’t eat more than a few mint leaves a day, as mint can lead to an upset stomach, as well as liver and kidney problems. While fresh crunchy foods, such as the ones mentioned above, can help get rid of a dog’s bad breath, it’s critical that you brush your dog’s teeth and take them in for routine dental care to help ensure good dental health and overall health.

Try a Fresh Approach

At Portland Pet Food Company, our dog food toppers and dog treats are filled with fresh ingredients that are easily digestible by dogs and give them plenty of vitamins and minerals that aid in gut health — which can help prevent bad breath. Try our variety pack of dog food toppers to see which flavor your dog likes best! You can save money by signing up for our dog food toppers subscription delivery service.