Is Your Pet’s Bad Breath Driving You Crazy? Here’s How to Fix It Fast!

Bad breath in dogs and cats can be more than just an annoying smell—it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. If your furry friend’s breath seems off, even though their teeth look great, you’re probably wondering what’s causing it. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! In this blog, I’ll walk you through the most common causes of bad breath in pets and share my top seven home remedies that are safe, effective, and easy to do yourself. From dental issues to digestive upset, I’ve got simple solutions to freshen up your pet’s breath in no time. Let’s dive in!

Why Choose Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula for Your Dog?

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula is the ideal choice for pet owners who want to support their dog’s overall health and well-being. This comprehensive, all-natural formula promotes a variety of key benefits that will enhance your dog’s quality of life. It supports mobility and joint comfort, ensuring your dog can move freely and comfortably, whether climbing stairs or hopping into the car. The formula also boosts vitality and energy levels, helping your dog stay active and playful. 

Why Choose Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline for Your Cat?

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline is specially designed to support your cat’s overall health, ensuring they live a long, happy, and active life. This holistic formula works in several ways to improve your cat’s well-being. It alleviates recurrent episodes of diarrhea and vomiting, supports digestive health, and promotes healthy mobility and joint function, especially important for aging cats.  This formula offers safe, supportive care, helping to manage aging symptoms. Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline is a must-have for your cat’s long-term health and happiness.

Stop Bad Breath in Dogs FAST! Vet-Approved Remedies You Can Do at Home

If you’ve noticed your dog or cat has bad breath but their teeth seem perfectly fine, you’re probably wondering, “What’s going on here?” I’ve been there myself, especially with our new cat, Cassian, who recently had bad breath despite his teeth looking great and showing no signs of gingivitis or plaque. So, what could it be?

Bad breath in pets can be caused by a variety of reasons, some more serious than others. In this post, I’m going to walk you through the top seven causes of bad breath in dogs and cats, and most importantly, the top seven home remedies you can try to help freshen up their breath.

1. Dental Disease

The most common cause of bad breath is dental disease. Just like us, our pets can suffer from plaque and tartar buildup, which leads to inflammation and infection along the gum line, known as gingivitis. This is exactly what’s happening with Tula, who has some plaque and tartar that needs attention. If you notice plaque, tartar, or redness along the gum line when you check your pet’s teeth, dental disease is likely the culprit.

For mild cases, you can help with at-home remedies. But for more serious cases, your pet might need a professional dental cleaning. Tula is actually scheduled for a dental scale and polish soon.

2. Foreign Body or Tumor

Sometimes bad breath is caused by something more serious, like a foreign body stuck in the mouth or even a tumor. If your pet has suddenly started pawing at their face, drooling more than usual, or you notice a very strong odor, it’s time to inspect their mouth closely.

I once had a dog named Lewis who started drooling and having difficulty chewing. At first, I thought it was a dental abscess, but after a thorough examination, I found out it was actually a dental tumor. It’s always worth getting a professional exam to rule out these possibilities.

3. Digestive Issues

Sometimes bad breath can be tied to digestive problems like acid reflux, vomiting, or other GI issues. Cassian had a bout of bad breath due to some stomach upset. After noticing him scarfing down dog food and looking a bit uncomfortable, I realized he was probably dealing with acid reflux, which can cause foul-smelling breath.

For this, I recommend Pepcid (famotidine) to reduce stomach acid, but I’ll also show you a natural home remedy later on in this post that can help with acid reflux.

4. Respiratory Infections

Upper respiratory infections can cause bad breath, especially if there’s post-nasal drip that ends up in your pet’s mouth. This can happen with colds or other infections. If your pet has a crusty nose, nasal discharge, or a cough along with bad breath, it’s worth considering a respiratory issue.

I’ve had Tula deal with chronic respiratory infections that have caused some bad breath. Treating the infection topically helps, but it’s a good idea to have a vet check it out if it’s ongoing.

5. Organ Disease

Certain organ diseases like kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes can also lead to bad breath. This is because these conditions can cause dehydration, which creates an environment where bacteria thrive. Kidney disease, in particular, can lead to the buildup of toxins in the mouth, creating an odor.

If your pet has a systemic disease, managing their condition with medication and regular check-ups will help address the root cause of the bad breath.

6. Skin Infections

Skin infections, particularly in folds of skin, can lead to bad breath. Breeds with lots of folds, like pugs and French bulldogs, are more prone to these types of infections. When pets lick infected areas, bacteria can transfer into the mouth, causing a foul odor.

One way to help manage this is by cleaning and treating those areas with antibacterial solutions. I’ll share some natural solutions below.

7. Medications and Antibiotics

Medications like antibiotics can upset the balance of good bacteria in your pet’s mouth and gut, leading to bad breath. This is especially common after a course of antibiotics for a urinary tract infection or other illnesses.

If you notice bad breath following a round of antibiotics, it may be due to this imbalance. Probiotics can help restore the natural balance, and I recommend a high-quality multistrain probiotic like Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Probiotic Formula for Dogs and Cats to help rebalance their gut microbiome.

What You Can Do at Home

If your pet’s bad breath is related to mild dental disease, digestive issues, or minor infections, here are a few home remedies that can help:

1. Coconut Oil and Parsley: Coconut oil has natural antibacterial properties that can help with dental issues. Combine it with freshly chopped parsley, which can freshen your pet’s breath and reduce plaque. Mix it with a little green tea and rub it along their gumline daily for a natural breath freshener.

2. Digestive Support: For pets with digestive issues like acid reflux, I recommend Pepsid (famotidine), which can help reduce stomach acid. For more natural relief, parsley works well to soothe stomach inflammation. You can mix it into their food to help with digestion.

3. Propolis for Respiratory Issues: Propolis, a natural product from honeybees, has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help with bad breath related to respiratory infections.

4. Slippery Elm for Stomach Ulcers: If your pet has ulcers or acid reflux, slippery elm is an effective remedy. It’s a natural antacid that can coat the stomach lining and provide relief from irritation.

5. Skin Infection Treatment: For skin fold infections, try a black tea and aspirin solution. Black tea has antibacterial properties, and aspirin can help reduce inflammation. Use this mixture topically on infected areas.

Final Thoughts on Tackling Bad Breath

Bad breath in dogs and cats can be caused by a number of underlying issues, but with the right care and attention, you can often treat the problem at home. If your pet has dental disease, respiratory issues, or digestive upset, addressing these causes can make a big difference in their breath and overall health.

If you need help managing your pet’s digestive health, consider adding Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Probiotic Formula for Dogs and Cats to their routine. It supports digestion, boosts immunity, and helps maintain overall health, ensuring your pet feels great inside and out.

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to subscribe to Veterinary Secrets for more tips on natural pet health and wellness!

Why Choose Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula for Your Dog?

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Canine Health Formula is the ideal choice for pet owners who want to support their dog’s overall health and well-being. This comprehensive, all-natural formula promotes a variety of key benefits that will enhance your dog’s quality of life. It supports mobility and joint comfort, ensuring your dog can move freely and comfortably, whether climbing stairs or hopping into the car. The formula also boosts vitality and energy levels, helping your dog stay active and playful. 

Why Choose Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline for Your Cat?

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline is specially designed to support your cat’s overall health, ensuring they live a long, happy, and active life. This holistic formula works in several ways to improve your cat’s well-being. It alleviates recurrent episodes of diarrhea and vomiting, supports digestive health, and promotes healthy mobility and joint function, especially important for aging cats.  This formula offers safe, supportive care, helping to manage aging symptoms. Dr. Jones’ Ultimate Feline is a must-have for your cat’s long-term health and happiness.