Does your furry friend have dog bad breath that’s driving you crazy? Bad breath in dogs can be caused by various factors, including dental issues and diet. Fortunately, there are natural home remedies that can help freshen your pup’s breath and promote good oral health.
1. Neem
Neem is a bitter-tasting herb with potent antibacterial and antifungal properties. These are essential components that prevent teeth-related health problems like gum disease.
They also combat stinky breath and teeth staining in dogs caused by oral bacteria and plaque buildup.
How to use this dog bad breath home remedy:
How to fix dogs’ bad breath using neem? Brushing your dog’s teeth using homemade neem toothpaste is a good way to supplement his routine dental cleaning.
Rinse a bunch of neem leaves thoroughly to remove dirt. Dry them out completely before grinding them into a coarse powder. In a small container, mix 2 teaspoons of neem powder with 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
Add 1 tablespoon of water and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Stir until all of the ingredients are properly combined. Use a quarter of a teaspoon of neem toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth.
Caution before using this dog bad breath home remedy:
- Neem can abruptly reduce blood sugar levels. Thus, administering this herb to diabetic dogs is not advised unless granted permission by the vet.
- Due to insufficient comprehensive studies, the usage of neem on young pups, pregnant dogs, and lactating canines is discouraged to avoid triggering unknown dangerous side effects.
Related: 6 Safe Homemade Dog Toothpaste
2. Parsley
The aromatic oils of parsley leaves produce a fresh, intense flavor, which acts as a deodorizer for bad dog breath.
Moreover, parsley contains chlorophyll, which is a natural pigment that gives the herb its green color. It is believed to help eliminate volatile sulfur compounds, reducing stinky dog breath and periodontal disease.
Parsley leaves are rich in vitamin K, which is a nutrient critical for better calcium absorption, healthy teeth development, and good natural teeth repair.
How to use this dog bad breath home remedy:
How to get rid of a dog’s bad breath using parsley? Treat bad dog breath with parsley by adding it to your canine companion’s food.
Use around 1 teaspoon of parsley per 10 pounds of body weight. If your dog weighs 50 pounds, he can have up to 5 teaspoons of the herb.
You can make parsley tea and mix it into your dog’s drink. Bring a cup of water to a boil in a pot, then steep 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley for 5 to 7 minutes.
Allow it to cool down before pouring it into his water bowl. Follow the dosage we have indicated above. Incorporate parsley into his meals and drink about twice a week to effectively reduce dog bad breath.
Caution before using this dog bad breath home remedy:
- Avoid using the spring parsley (Cymopterus watsonii) as a breath freshener for your dog. It may look similar to regular parsley, but the herb actually comes from a different family of plants and contains toxins.
It can cause photosensitivity, skin dermatitis, and in worse cases, blindness in dogs. For your dog’s safety, use the curly-leaf parsley (Petroselinum cripsum) instead.
- Parsley has a history of inducing uterine contraction during pregnancy. Using it to treat stinky breath in expectant dogs is highly discouraged to avoid miscarriage.
- Do not give your dog excessive quantities of parsley. Overdosing can damage his kidney and liver as well as cause anemia. Using this herb on canines with liver or kidney disease should be avoided.
3. Mint
Mint contains a breath-freshening agent called menthol. Similar to parsley, this herb produces chlorophyll, which aids in minimizing bad breath in dogs and protects their teeth from dental disease.
How to use this dog bad breath remedy:
Create dog-safe breath mints for fido with the help of this simple and easy recipe:
What you need:
- ¼ cup fresh mint
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup grated carrot
- ½ cup chicken stock
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
Procedure:
- Blend all the ingredients in the food processor until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into ice cube trays or silicone molds.
- Freeze for at least 4 to 5 hours or overnight.
- Offer 1 breath mint a day to treat bad breath in dogs.
Caution before using this dog bad breath home remedy:
- Do not make the mistake of using English pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) on dogs. It is a toxic herb belonging to the mint family.
This plant contains pulegone, which is a chemical that can induce liver failure in dogs if ingested in large doses. Better stick to safe mint varieties such as peppermint or spearmint for dog bad breath treatment.
- Mint is unsafe for pregnant dogs as it can cause miscarriage.
- Drug interaction may occur if mint is administered together with certain medications. If your pooch is prescribed drugs, ask the vet before giving your dog breath mints.
4. Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is a chlorophyll-rich plant containing antibacterial agents. It prevents the tooth-decaying bacteria called Streptococcus mutans from thriving. Thus, wheatgrass does not only combat bad dog breath but also reduces the risk of dental cavities.
How to use this dog bad breath home remedy:
Blend 1 cup of wheatgrass with 1 cup of water in a blender or food processor. Pulse until the plant turns into a liquid pulp. Strain the wheatgrass juice using a cheesecloth or nut milk bag.
Ideally, give no more than 1 fluid ounce of wheatgrass juice per 20 pounds of body weight. A 70-pound dog can have around 3½ fluid ounces of the drink.
Caution before using this dog bad breath home remedy:
- Excessive intake of wheatgrass juice will lead to gastrointestinal upset in dogs. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are likely to occur.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Dog Breath
1. Why does my dog’s breath smell so foul?
The most common causes of bad breath in dogs are dental diseases like oral tumors. Around 80% of canines over the age of 3 develop this type of health problem.
There might also be underlying ailments affecting your dog that induces bad breath. For instance, when a dog’s kidneys aren’t working properly, toxins and waste materials accumulate quickly in his body, leading to halitosis.
Lack of good oral hygiene can contribute to stinking up your dog’s breath. Failing to get his teeth cleaned regularly allows plaque, tartar, and bacteria to build up in his mouth.
An imbalanced diet is also a factor to consider. It encourages the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, which fosters dog bad breath.
2. What is the best treatment for bad dog breath?
Treating bad breath in dogs requires a combination of proper oral care and a healthy balanced diet. Thus, note the routine oral hygiene care they need every day.
In general, canines need toothbrushing daily to remove plaque. If you cannot keep up with this schedule, brushing your dog’s teeth 2 to 3 times a week is fine.
Dogs should get acclimated to toothbrushing during the time when they are young. This makes it easier for pawrents to clean their dog’s teeth without a hassle. Do not forget to use home remedies on your furry pal to further minimize his stinky breath.
We also suggest mixing crunchy vegetables and fruits such as carrots, celery, and apples into his meals. They make wonderful dental dog treats that help get rid of plaque and tartar, preventing bad breath to persist.
