“Dog breath” can be a downer when you’re trying to spend time with your dog. Sometimes it’s just a little bit of a funky smell and sometimes it is truly horrible. Breath-freshening treats may help a little, but you certainly don’t want to rely on them. Here are a few ways to reduce bad breath in your dog:

1. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

One of the biggest sources of bad breath in dogs is the bacteria in their mouth. On top of that, a lack of good dental care can result in tartar buildup that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Dental disease is dangerous and painful for your dog and it also results in foul-smelling breath.

Dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs – it is also one of the most preventable. Proper dental care for dogs includes brushing their teeth, using enzyme toothpaste, and more. Brushing or cleaning your dog’s teeth daily is ideal. If your dog is really not handling it well, a few times a week should be sufficient to help prevent dental disease. Plus, their breath will smell a lot better.

2. Use Dental Chews

Dental chews are not a replacement for cleaning or brushing your dog’s teeth, but they are a nice supplement to help maintain a clean mouth and freshen their breath. Dental hygiene chews are formulated to help reduce tartar buildup. Before buying a bunch for your dog, stop by the vet for a quick check-up and for some recommendations on the size, type, etc. of dental chews that would be best for your dog.

3. Stick to Dog Food and Avoid Table Scraps

Table scraps and human food are often bad for your dog. Not only are table scraps bad for your dog, but they can also make your dog’s breath smell horrible. Plus, some of them are toxic food for dogs and will make your dog sick! Avoiding table scraps and sticking to dog food can help reduce bad breath in your dog.

You can also stick to crunchy kibble instead of wet food to help reduce bad breath. Crunchy food can help scrape tartar and plaque off of your dog’s teeth as they chew, which often results in a healthier mouth and fresher breath than you might get with wet food.

4. Visit the Vet

Bad breath can be a sign of developing dental disease and it can also be a sign of other underlying health issues. If you’re doing everything you can to reduce bad breath in your dog and their breath is still rancid, it’s time for a visit to the veterinarian. This will help you figure out what’s going on and get your dog the help they need.

It can sometimes feel like a battle against bad breath when it comes to your dog. With these tips to help reduce bad breath in your dog, you’re ready to head into battle and win the war against dog breath.