Dog bad breath can be a real problem for pet owners. Not only is it unpleasant, but it can also be a sign of something more serious. In this article, we’ll be delving into the link between dog bad breath and pancreatitis, and providing tips on how to freshen up your pup’s breath while addressing the underlying issue.
Causes of pancreatitis in dogs
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which can cause bad breath in dogs as toxins are released into the body. Studies have shown that dogs with pancreatitis are more likely to have bad breath than healthy dogs. But what causes pancreatitis in dogs? Common causes include obesity, high-fat diets, and certain medications. Certain breeds, such as Miniature Schnauzers and Cocker Spaniels, are also more prone to developing pancreatitis.
Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis
It’s important to catch pancreatitis early on as it can lead to serious health issues if left untreated. Some of the signs and symptoms to look out for include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. If you notice your dog experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Tips for freshening up bad breath in dogs
But what can you do to freshen up your dog’s breath and address the underlying issue of pancreatitis? First and foremost, regular dental care is crucial. Brushing your dog’s teeth can help remove plaque and bacteria that can cause bad breath. Dental chews and toys can also help keep your dog’s teeth clean and freshen their breath.
In addition to dental care, feeding your dog a healthy, well-balanced diet can also help improve their breath. A diet high in fiber and low in fat can help keep your dog’s digestion in check and reduce the risk of pancreatitis. Encouraging your dog to drink water can also help flush out toxins in their system.
How to treat and prevent pancreatitis
Treatment options for pancreatitis include medication, a low-fat diet, and weight management. To prevent the development of pancreatitis, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet and weight for your dog. It’s also important to be mindful of any medications your dog is taking and to consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
Final thoughts
Dog bad breath can be a sign of something more serious, such as pancreatitis. Regular dental care, a healthy diet, and weight management can help freshen up your dog’s breath and prevent the development of pancreatitis. If you notice your dog experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite, be sure to consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Remember, your furry friend’s health is in your hands, so don’t hesitate to take action if you suspect something’s not quite right.
Additional Resources
If you’re looking for more information on how to help your pup with bad breath, there are several great resources available online. One excellent place to start is the American Veterinary Dental College website, which offers detailed information on the causes and treatments of halitosis in dogs.
Another great resource is the American Kennel Club website, which provides expert advice and tips on how to keep your dog’s breath fresh and healthy. PetMD and VetStreet also have informative articles about bad breath in dogs, including its causes and treatment options. WebMD Pet Health and Pet Health Network also offer comprehensive information on dog bad breath.
The Spruce Pets website also offers great tips and information on how to tackle this problem and keep your dog’s breath fresh and clean.
Important To Remember
It’s important to remember that if your dog is experiencing persistent bad breath or any oral health issues, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian. A veterinarian will be able to diagnose the underlying cause and provide the necessary treatment to keep your dog’s mouth healthy. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a vet if you notice any issues with your dog’s breath or oral health, as early intervention can prevent more serious problems down the road.
Maintaining Oral Health in Dogs: Products, Services, Home Remedies, and Equipment
Don’t let your furry friend’s teeth and gums fall by the wayside! From toothbrushes and toothpaste to dental chews and water additives, there are plenty of options to keep your dog’s oral hygiene in tip-top shape. And don’t forget about specialized dog food and supplements like probiotics and enzymes. For more serious cases, professional teeth cleaning and veterinary consultations are also available.
1. Oral hygiene products
1.1 Dog toothbrush and toothpaste
Dog Toothbrush and Enzymatic Toothpaste Set
Keep your dog’s breath fresh and their teeth clean with Vet’s Best Enzymatic Dental Gel Toothpaste. Formulated by veterinarians and made with natural ingredients like aloe, neem oil, grapefruit seed extract, baking soda, and enzymes, it’s the perfect way to support your dog’s dental hygiene between vet visits. Plus, your furry friend will love the taste!
Pros
- eterinarian-formulated
- Freshens breath -Gently cleans plaque and tartar
- Made with natural ingredients
- Great taste for dogs
Cons
Arm & Hammer for Pets Tartar Control Kit for Dogs
Keep your pup’s pearly whites sparkling with our all-natural Dog Dental Kit! This gentle formula helps reduce tartar buildup, banish bad breath, and even whiten and brighten your dog’s teeth. Plus, the tasty beef flavor will have them begging for more. Simply apply a small amount of toothpaste to your finger and let your dog lick it off. Gradually progress to rubbing along their gumline and teeth, and brush 2-3 times a week for best results.
Pros
- Gentle and effective
- Reduces tartar buildup
- Eliminates bad breath
- Whitens and brightens teeth
- Tasty beef flavor
Cons
1.2 Dental chews and treats
Dental Care Chews Oral Health Dog Treats
Say goodbye to stinky dog breath with Greenies Original Regular Size Natural Dental Dog Treats! These natural chews not only taste great, but they also contain essential vitamins and minerals for medium-sized pups. Plus, the unique texture helps clean all the way down to the gumline to combat plaque and tartar. Your vet will approve too – they’re recommended and accepted by the VOHC.
Pros
- Veterinarian recommended
- Cleans down to the gumline
- Fights plaque and tartar
- Freshens bad breath
- Contains vitamins and minerals
Cons
Dental Hygiene Chew For Dogs
Keep your pup’s pearly whites clean with OraVet, the vet-approved dental chew that fights plaque and bad breath. Made with delmopinol, it’s the only product of its kind on the market. Simply give your furry friend one tasty chew a day and let their chewing do the rest.
Pros
- Veterinarian-recommended
- Keeps teeth cleaner
- Reduces plaque and calculus
- Fights bad breath
- Uses chewing action to clean teeth
Cons
1.3 Water additives
Dental Care Solution Pet Water Additive
Pet Dental Water Additive is a fast-acting pet bad breath treatment for dogs and cats. It’s the easiest way to clean your pet’s teeth! Just add a capful of our cat and dog dental care liquid to their water bowl each day – it’s that easy!. Pet Dental Water Additive is odorless and tasteless, so they don’t even know it’s there. It’s made in the U.S.A. with only the highest quality ingredients and is a pet bad breath eliminator that actually works.
Pros
- Fast-acting
- Easy to use
- Odorless and tasteless
- Made in the U.S.A. with high-quality ingredients
- Effectively eliminates bad breath
Cons
TropiClean Dog Dental Water Additive
Fresh Breath Oral Care Water Additive is a dental defense against plaque and tartar on the teeth and noticeably fresher breath in 14 days or less with daily use as directed. It’s formulated with a unique blend of ingredients for a healthy mouth and clean teeth.
Simply add half a capful of Oral Care Water Additive to your dog’s 8oz water bowl, or 8 capfuls to your dog’s 1-gallon water bowl twice daily, No brushing required! Use in combination with TropiClean Fresh Breath Clean Teeth Oral Care Gel and TropiClean Fresh Breath Dental Chews or Dental Sticks for maximum oral care protection.
Pros
- Dental defense against plaque and tartar
- Freshens breath in 14 days or less
- Easy to use, no brushing required
- Contains unique blend of ingredients
- Combine with other oral care products for maximum protection
Cons
2. Diet and supplements
2.1 Probiotics for dogs
Multifunctional Supplements for Dogs
Zesty Paws Multifunctional Bites are a dietary supplement for dogs that contains a variety of ingredients to support overall health and well-being. They contain premium ingredients like Cod Liver Fish Oil, Vitamin E, and Kaneka Q10 to support skin and coat health, OptiMSM for muscular support, Glucosamine HCl, Chondroitin Sulfate, Cod Liver Oil and B-Complex Vitamins for hip and joint support.
A five-strain Probiotic Blend, Digestive Enzymes, and Niacin to promote healthy digestion and gut flora, and antioxidants to promote healthy cardiovascular function, support liver health and enhance immune response. These chews are specially formulated for dogs with sensitive skin and contain no grain, corn or soy derivatives.
Pros
- Dietary supplement
- Contains premium ingredients for overall health and well-being
- Supports skin and coat health
- Supports hip and joint health
- Promotes healthy digestion and gut flora
Cons
Purina FortiFlora Probiotics for Dogs
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Fortiflora Canine Nutritional Supplement is a probiotic supplement recommended by veterinarians for the dietary management of puppies and adult dogs with diarrhea. It contains a probiotic to promote normal intestinal microflora, helps reduce flatulence, and uses a proprietary microencapsulation process for enhanced stability.
Pros
- Veterinarian-recommended
- Promotes normal intestinal microflora
- Reduces flatulence
- Uses proprietary microencapsulation process
Cons
2.2 Enzymes and prebiotics
Dog Probiotics Treats Digestive Enzymes + Prebiotics
Vet Strength Probiotic and Pumpkin Powder for Health Tummy is a digestive supplement for dogs that contains a billion CFU per serving, prebiotics, enzymes, and fiber-rich pumpkin seeds. It helps ease various stomach issues like gas, diarrhea, sensitive stomachs, constipation, and bad breath.
It also supports healthy digestion, which can lead to a stronger immune system and relief from food allergies that may manifest in skin conditions. The product comes in a bacon-flavored chewable form, has no soy, corn, dairy, or sugar, and is made in the USA. It is suitable for dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes.
Pros
- Contains billion CFU per serving
- Contains prebiotics, enzymes, and fiber-rich pumpkin seeds
- Helps ease stomach issues such as gas, diarrhea, and sensitivity
Cons
Digestive Enzymes for Dogs - Plus Probiotics
NaturVet Probiotics for Dogs and Cats is a powder supplement that provides probiotics and essential enzymes to aid in nutrient absorption and digestion. It is great for food transitioning, sensitive stomachs, and flatulence. The powder contains Alpha-Amylase, Protease, Cellulase, and Lipase to break down starch, proteins, cellulose, and triglycerides respectively. It is suitable for dogs and cats over the age of 6 weeks and is made in the USA with 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Pros
- Provides probiotics and essential enzymes
- Great for food transitioning and sensitive stomachs
- Contains enzymes to aid in nutrient absorption and digestion
- Suitable for dogs and cats over 6 weeks
- Made in the USA with 100% satisfaction guarantee
Cons
2.3 Specialized dog food
Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Food is a premium dog food that features real meat as the first ingredient, whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit. It contains essential proteins and carbohydrates to meet the energy needs of adult dogs, and features omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to promote a shiny coat and healthy skin, a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support immune system health, and is formulated to meet the life stage needs of adult dogs.
Pros
- Real meat as first ingredient
- Contains whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit
- Features essential proteins and carbohydrates
- Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids for shiny coat and healthy skin
- Formulated to meet life stage needs of adult dogs
Cons
Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food
This adult dry dog food is formulated to promote digestive health and nourish skin. It is a source of prebiotic fiber to support a balanced gut microbiome in your grown dog. It is highly digestible for optimal nutrient absorption and easier stool pick-up. It is packed with vitamin E & Omega-6 fatty acids to help your grown dog get a lustrous coat and healthy skin. It is made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust.
Pros
- Formulated to promote digestive health and nourish skin
- Source of prebiotic fiber
- Highly digestible for optimal nutrient absorption
- Packed with vitamin E & Omega-6 fatty acids
- Made in the USA with global ingredients
Cons
3. Equipment
3.1 Finger brush
Dog Fingerbrush Toothbrush Kit
Pet Oral Care Finger Brush is designed to make brushing your pet’s teeth easy. Its patented design allows easy cleaning of the entire mouth with just a few swipes. It works well on smaller dogs, cats, and puppies, and even larger dogs as long as your finger can reach their teeth.
The compact design may not work as well on extremely small pets, such as toy breeds. It is made of 100% Silicone which is BPA and Phthalate-free and the bristles are softer than traditional bristles, but abrasive enough to remove plaque. It comes with two finger brushes and cases included for 6-12 months brushing
Pros
- Designed to make brushing easy
- Patented design allows easy cleaning of entire mouth
- Work well on smaller dogs, cats, and puppies
- Compact design may not work as well on extremely small pets
- Made of 100% Silicone and BPA and Phthalate-free
Cons
Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Finger Brush
Advanced Oral Care Finger Brush is a veterinarian-recommended brush that makes brushing easier for you and your dog. The simple design with soft bristles allows you to slip the brush onto your finger and gently brush your dog’s teeth. It is designed to get those hard-to-reach areas where plaque and tartar like to hide. It includes 2 brushes and should be used with dog-friendly toothpaste for a simple dental care routine
Pros
- Veterinarian-recommended
- Simple design with soft bristles
- Designed to reach hard-to-reach areas
- Includes 2 brushes
- Should be used with dog-friendly toothpaste for a simple dental care routine
Cons
4. Professional services
Professional teeth cleaning
Anesthesia-free teeth cleaning
Veterinary check-up and consultation.
5. Home remedies
Brushing your dog’s teeth with baking soda
Giving your dog a mix of apple cider vinegar and water
Adding fresh parsley or mint to your dog’s food.
Note
It’s important to note that it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian before using any medication or treatment for your dog’s bad breath, as it could be a sign of a more serious underlying health issue
