Dog Community

Stinky Breath

Posted : 7/10/2009 8:36:53 PM

Ok, so Gotti's breath is B A D!!! lol I made a promise that I'm gonna brush his teeth every day (I'll admit I was only doing maybe once a week). He hates it...too bad for him tho but I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions for battling bad breath. Do those drops you put in water do anything? Does anyone have a good toothbrush to recommend (if it matters). Is there anything good for them to chew for breath? (I can't give him rawhides all the time cuz too much upsets his stomach)

Of course Luna loves getting her teeth brushed but her breath smells great. And that's why I'm not even sure why Gotti's breath is so bad... they eat the same food and chew on the same toys... and Gotti is evern better than Luna bout eating stuff off the ground but his breath still is so smelly. Thanks - Any suggestions would b appreciated.

JackieG

Posted : 7/10/2009 8:59:16 PM

Have you had his teeth checked at the Vet's lately? Maybe he has a lot of tartar or even an infected or injured tooth. That can cause bad breath. I've never tried the drops for the water. The times my dogs had bad breath, they needed dental attention. Sometimes it's hard to see a tooth or recognize what we are seeing. Twister had a broken tooth that I didn't notice but I took him in cause his breath was terrible and the Vet found a broken tooth. :( He had to have it pulled but his breath improved tremendously.

sl2crmeg

Posted : 7/11/2009 2:29:17 PM

I agree with Jackie - have the vet double-check his teeth. Pirate's breath SMELLED, once upon a time, and we never knew why until one afternoon. He was laying on the couch & I had laid down on the floor (typical, LOL) and I just happened to time it right - when he yawned I looked up and I saw this BIG boo-boo on the roof of his mouth. We went to the vet and it was some kind of infection :(

We use $1 store baby toothbrushes - cheap!!

If you feel comfortable, some people SWEAR by raw bones to clean teeth. Pirate is special and can't have them, so I have no idea what is OK, especially for big dogs like yours!

janet_rose

Posted : 7/13/2009 2:43:57 AM

AllAboutTheAPBT
I can't give him rawhides all the time cuz too much upsets his stomach

If teeth turn out not to be the problem, I would try probiotics and digestive enzymes. Improper digestion can result in bad breath as can food allergies.

AllAboutTheAPBT

Posted : 7/19/2009 7:46:02 AM

Thanks everybody for the suggestions. I just brought him to the vet for shots last month but he'll probably be going back in August to get neutered. (Finally!!! Embarrassed ) So I'll ask them to check his teeth then. He does have tartar build up, but he's also 5 years old so I don't really know what is "normal" for a dog his age. Luna is four and her teeth actually seem to have more tartar but her breath smells fine.

What are your opinions on getting teeth cleaned by the vet? I've been thinking about getting Gotti's done when he gets neutered since he'll already be asleep. I hate the idea of putting dogs under too much and I try to avoid it but maybe I can get 2 for 1 lol.

AllAboutTheAPBT

Posted : 7/19/2009 7:49:32 AM

janet_rose
would try probiotics and digestive enzymes

Can I add yogurt to his food? I always have lots of plain and vanilla yogurt in the fridge.

He is always farting! Maybe this is an issue...I didn't think the two would be connected but it makes sense and it's worth a try!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/19/2009 8:44:01 PM

I'd have the teeth done while he's under, if they're able. I have my dogs' teeth cleaned. It extends their healthy years, in the same ways it helps humans. Tartar on the teeth is the *same* thing as tartar in the arteries.

You can add yogurt to kibble, but some dogs are intolerant of dairy, and lactose intolerance is fairly common.

Liesje

Posted : 7/27/2009 6:44:31 PM

Coke's breath is really nasty today too. I checked in his mouth to see if he had anything rotten or any sores or anything...nothing. It smells like a barnyard! Actually I've smelled worse, but just not on *my* dogs. The only change is I changed from California Lamb and Rice to Chicken and Rice. Maybe he's eating his poop? Ick.