Best Pet Articles
Search

Dog Breath-It Doesnt HAVE to Be SO Bad!

Web Search

While your friends and family are amazed that you'reraising such an amazing dog, you notice that they flinchwhen the dog gets too close. They may shrug away or notbend down to pet him as they once did. While they may notsay so directly, it could be due to your dog's killer breath.While this situation is all too common, hopefully you'venoticed your pooch's halitosis before anyone says or doesanything to cause you (or your poor dog) embarrassment.As stated, your dog cannot tell you that he has a sticky,plaque taste in his mouth that won't stop. It's your job tounderstand that he, like you, needs his teeth brushed and hisgums attended to regularly.

Bad breath can make being around any dog a terribleexperience. Sometimes the bad breath is so strong that itpermeates an entire room. Bad breath can be blamed on anumber of culprits. A couple of the most common are dentalor periodontal disease. This can all be associated to yourdog not properly chewing his food (i.e. not allowing saliva todo its job), having a broken tooth or dental plaque and tartar.Also, your dog could be suffering an internal problem that iscausing his bad breath. He could be having problems withkidney or liver function. The best thing to do in extremecases is to consult with your vet.

So, in order to keep everyone in awe at your amazing dog,you'll want to be sure to take care of three of the majorcomponents that will not only help your dog's overall health,but will help prevent and/or control his bad breath. Thesedeal with regular home dental care, diet and professionalcleanings.

It is estimated that 80 percent of dogs over the age of threesuffer from the periodontal disease - a serious deteriorationof the gums and supporting bones of the teeth. Yes, it willgive your pet bad breath, but left unchecked, the bacteriathat cause this disease can enter the bloodstream, causinginfection to vital organs. Research indicates that proper oralhealth may extend the life of your pet by two to five years!

By the way, the exact same statistic holds true for adulthumans. And 80% is a conservative estimate. Periodontaldisease is painless, insidious, offensive (except to theoffending party, who has no idea about their halitosis), andentirely preventable.

At home, you'll need to brush your dog's teeth everyday. Itwill take a valiant effort until it becomes habitual for youand your dog. It's best to acclimate your dog to thisprocedure when he's a puppy. If not, older dogs will put upmore of a fuss. Brush your dog's teeth for at least thirtyseconds using special dogtooth brush and dog toothpaste.Never ever use human toothpaste. If swallowed it couldhave dangerous side effects. Reward your puppy or dogafter each brushing. Every few days, after meals, you maywant to give your dog a rawhide chew. Monitor your dogwhen giving such treats as choking can occur.

Next, you'll want to be sure that you are meeting your dog'snutritional needs. Do not feed your dog table scraps-ever.And, never feed your puppy or dog candy or especiallychocolate. Give your dog the best food designed for hisbody type and breed.

Finally, you'll want to be sure to have your dog's teethbrushed and professionally treated by a veterinarian everysix to twenty-four months. After your first consultation, askyour vet what schedule he believes is best. It can varydependent upon breed and lifestyle. You dog will have toundergo a general anesthesia in the vet's office before thebrushing. For older dogs, talk to your vet, especially if it'sbeen awhile (up to a few years) since your dog's lastcleaning. Some vets will not put older dogs underanesthesia for regular cleanings.

Your pet's breath, if all the abovementioned elements arecombined, should be just fine. If your pet's bad breathcontinues after one or two months of regular monitoring,then consult your veterinarian. It could be something else.Once the problem is solved, your awe-inspiring dog will beable to give you and anyone else all the doggie-kisses that hetruly wants to share!

About the Author:
Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site at Dog Gifts and Toys for Dog Lovers.

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Associated Press

Settlement to be argued in big pet food case
The Associated Press - 2 hours ago
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ (AP) — Thousands of pet owners whose dogs and cats died last year after eating contaminated pet food traced to China could be close to a ...
Settlement to be argued in big pet food case BusinessWeek
Settlement To Be Argued In Big Pet Food Case MyFox Philadelphia
Settlement To Be Argued In Pet Food Recall Case WCBS-TV New York
all 96 news articles


System designed to help reduce unwanted pets
USA Today - 7 hours ago
San Antonio has joined a growing number of communities mandating pet owners pay for licenses when their pets give birth if they intend to sell the offspring ...
Animal communication for skeptics San Francisco Chronicle
all 2 news articles


Pets Drive Gift Giving Trends This Holiday Season
MarketWatch - 14 hours ago
GREENWICH, Conn., Oct 13, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- More than half of all dog and cat owners will be buying gifts for their pets this holiday season- about 83 ...


BBC News

Call for ban on primates as pets
BBC News, UK - 14 hours ago
By Mark Kinver A loophole in animal welfare laws that allows primates to be kept as household pets should be closed, an MP has urged. ...


California Animal Rehabilitation program helps dogs, cats and ...
Daily Breeze, CA - 13 hours ago
Waldman, who worked as a doctor at several traditional animal hospitals before founding CARE, said she couldn't stand seeing otherwise healthy pets be ...
Tips to help with your pet's mobility Pasadena Star-News
all 3 news articles


Pets Lose Homes As Owners Face Hard Times
WAAY, AL - 12 hours ago
And for some, that means giving up their family pet. The Decatur Animal Shelter houses just a few of the hundreds of dogs and cats waiting for someone to ...
Decatur Animals Affected by Struggling Economy WHNT
all 2 news articles


Canada.com

Fires & High Winds mean evacuate people, pets and livestock now.
NewsReleaseWire.com (press release) - 12 hours ago
Hanson Dam and North Valley Evacuation Center- (Horses and pets.) San Fernando HS and Sylmar HS for human evacuees. (Humans) Red Cross for human needs. ...
Video: Wildfires Send Thousands Running From Homes AssociatedPress
Fire in Little Tujunga Canyon Area Forces Evacuations MyFox Los Angeles
Fire in Little Tujunga Canyon Area Forces Evacuations MyFox Los Angeles
all 3,868 news articles


Pudgy pets pose problems
Tri Valley Herald, CA - 13 hours ago
So, should your pet start an Atkins Diet? Ramsey is a "cheese-aholic." At 6 years old and 156 pounds, this bull mastiff listens for his owner to unwrap the ...


Day care centers, cremation services now offered for your pets
ABS CBN News, Philippines - Oct 12, 2008
With their busy schedules and nobody to watch over their dogs and cats, pet owners can now leave their "babies" at Pooch Park Doggie Day Care . ...


Exotic pets not the best choice for families
TheNewsTribune.com, WA - 4 hours ago
LINDSEY TANNER; AP American Veterinary Medical Association: www.avma.org CHICAGO – Warning: Young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets – or hamsters, ...

Pets - Google News

home | site map | SubArticle
© 2008