This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Bad Breath From Your Pet? NOT OK. Tips for your Pet's Teeth!

Imagine sitting down in your house curled up with a good book, underneath a blanket and your dog just happens to saunter by and his breath permeates your nostrils with a stench likened to rotted eggplant and gym shoes. NOT OK. 

This is most likely a sign that there are more serious issues going on in your pet's mouth! Bad breath is a sign that your pet is suffering from periodontal disease. According to the AVMA, 70% of pets who are over the age of 3 have some sort of dental disease! Most dental disease is  unfortunately underneath the gums and cannot be detected by the naked eye.  

Here are a few tips to keep your pet's teeth healthy all year round! 

  • Brushing your pet’s teeth is a great way to remove the accumulation of tartar along the gum line. Slowly move your finger along the gums on the outside of your pet’s upper and lower teeth only both sides of their mouth. Take a finger brush and apply a small amount of pet-friendly tooth paste, then brush in a circular motion for 5 to 10 minutes. 
  • Use specially formulated dental spray in conjunction with brushing to further encourage the disintegration of residual plaque. 
  • Use dental chews that are lined with an enzyme that adheres to to the teeth with chewing and helps prevent buildup. 
  • Schedule regular professional dental cleanings under general anesthesia for your veterinarian to thoroughly scale, polish, and examine your pet’s oral cavity. 
Brushing your pet's teeth is very important for their long standing comfort and yours too. What do you currently use to keep your pet's teeth healthy? I look forward to your comments! 
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?