Pet Odor Remover: How to Eliminate Bad Dog Breath

If your dog has been having consistent problems with bad breath, you're probably in the market for a good pet odor remover. Fortunately, there are a number of simple, though highly effective, ways to treat your dog's breath issues.

Step 1 - Make Sure Your Dog is Drinking Enough Water

As strange as it may sound, fresh water can be a surprisingly effective pet odor remover. If you dog hasn't been drinking enough water, that could be the root cause of any offensive breath issues. Bad breath is one of the characteristic signs of dehydration in both animals and human beings, so make sure your dog always has a steady supply of fresh drinking water at its immediate disposal. Whenever you notice that your dog is running a bit low on drinking water, make a point of refilling the animal's water bowl immediately.

Step 2 - Make Sure Your Dog is Eating the Proper Food

Much like fresh water, a proper diet can be a great pet odor remover. As bad breath is common in dogs who are on wet food diets, so it is highly recommended that you feed your dog dry food and kibble in order to keep its teeth healthy and its breath inoffensive. Most types of kibble can help clean and strengthen your dog's teeth, effectively preventing tartar buildup and the formation of bad breath.

Step 3 - Give Your Dog Rawhide Bones

Rawhide bones are a little known pet odor remover when it comes to treating bad breath in dogs. If your dog has had problems with bad breath, give the animal rawhide bones in lieu of their usual treats or chew toys. These bones help clean your dog's teeth, fight tartar and prevent offensive breath. Keep in mind, however, that if your dog has a propensity for swallowing anything it puts in its mouth, so this may not be the right pet odor remover for you. These bones can present a choking hazard if your dog attempts to consume them.

Step 4 - Brush Your Dog's Teeth

While not as difficult as brushing a cat's teeth, brushing your dog's teeth can be a tricky undertaking. Firstly, you will need to purchase a toothbrush and toothpaste designed specifically for dogs. When selecting an appropriate toothpaste for your dog, it is important that you choose a brand that is digestible and that you try to find a flavor that the animal likes. Dog toothpastes typically come in beef and chicken flavors, so this shouldn't be too hard.

Try to coax the dog onto your lap with the aid of a treat or chew toy. Next, gently pet the dog to get it into a nice, calm mood, then lift the animal's upper lip and proceed to gently brush your dog's teeth. You may want to have a friend or family member on hand to continue petting the dog while its teeth are being brushed.

Alternatively, you can simply take the animal to a local groomer or a pet supply store with grooming facilities. Professional pet groomers have experience brushing animals' teeth and, for a moderate price, they can have your dog's teeth clean in a matter of minutes.

Step 5 - Consult Your Vet

Bad breath can sometimes be a sign of a tooth or gum infection, so if your dog's offensive breath proves unyielding, you should pay a visit to your veterinarian. Antibiotics are generally used to treat these infections, although in some cases, one or more teeth may need to be pulled.