There is nothing better than curling up on the couch with your furry pal at the end of the day.

Unfortunately, this experience can be a lot less pleasant if you find that your dog is suffering from bad breath. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, isn't just a human condition. Many people suffer from the misconception that dogs have foul-smelling breath all the time, but this simply isn't true. While it may not smell of strawberries and cream, most owners find that their dog's breath is usually pretty inoffensive. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean that it will always be so tolerable. There are plenty of things that can affect the odor of your dog's breath, many of which can make getting up close and personal with him a nauseating experience.

What Causes Bad Breath in Dogs and How Can I Prevent It from Occurring?

So, what exactly can cause your dog to experience bad breath? Here are some of the most common triggers behind true, smelly 'dog breath' and what you can do to help keep your pet's breath fresh.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Since your dog cannot take care of his own oral hygiene, he is reliant on you to do it on his behalf. Unfortunately, if you fail to do so then not only are you risking him developing seriously funky breath, you could also be compromising the function of his teeth and putting his overall health at risk. This is because dental care plays a part in the bigger picture that is overall wellbeing. Dogs with poor oral hygiene are more likely to develop dental disease which leads to medical problems including diabetes, heart conditions, liver and kidney disorders, and even oral cancers.

When dogs get bad breath for dental reasons, it is usually because there is a massive accumulation of bacteria present in their mouth. It is these bacteria that haven't been cleaned away that cause the vile smell, as well as contributing towards plaque, calculus, and eventually dental disease.

By taking proper care of your dog's teeth through brushing at home and taking him for his regular dental check-ups and professional cleans carried out by your pet dentistry team in Bastrop, LA, you can keep his oral health in tip-top condition and help ensure his breath is as pleasant as possible.

Something Is Stuck between His Teeth

Dogs are curious creatures and will try and eat many items, including things that aren't necessarily suitable for consumption! Unfortunately, sometimes the things that they eat end up stuck between their teeth. If it isn't causing him any discomfort and you can't see it, chances are the item between his teeth is going to stay there for a very long time. If this happens, it will get covered in bacteria which will eventually start to smell. If it is something edible, it may also spoil, and this will make the smell even worse as well as potentially put your dog's health at risk.

Attending your pet's regular dental appointments is the best way to ensure that there is nothing stuck between your pet's teeth causing a vile smell. If you are concerned or the smell becomes unbearable, you don't need to wait for the next scheduled appointment - you can always contact your pet dentist to make one specifically for a check-up.

Your Dog Is Eating Poor Quality Food

Not all dog foods are created equal and the information included on the label is confusing and a flurry of marketing jargon makes it even harder to determine which products offer good quality nutrition and which are packed full of dense but pointless ingredients just to bulk them out. Unfortunately, poor quality dog foods are more likely to trigger dental problems as well as often smelling vile as soon as they are served, which then causes your dog's breath to become equally as repulsive.

Try and stick to providing meals that are made with high-quality ingredients and topped with crunchy, abrasive biscuits which will help to clean his teeth and remove bacteria that could otherwise trigger bad breath.

Your Dog Is Sick and Needs Medical Attention

Although it is not particularly common, bad breath can be a sign of underlying illness. In these instances, it isn't possible for you to do anything to help prevent the bad breath other than getting your canine pal checked over by your pet dentist and/or vet as soon as possible. If dental causes are ruled out of being behind your dog's bad breath, your veterinarian in Bastrop, LA may suggest that further tests are carried out to discover if the illness is causing your dog's bad breath.

If you are concerned that your dog's breath is particularly unpleasant, it is always advisable to schedule an appointment with your pet dentist in Bastrop, LA for an assessment and some advice. If you would like to schedule a visit to our experience pet dentistry team, please contact our vets in Bastrop, LA at (318) 283-0656.