What Lovely Teeth You Have!

We have all been there, you are sitting quietly on the couch watching a movie when you feel it… warm breath on your face as your faithful companion sits next to you looking for a little attention. A tender moment; interrupted only by the fact that you seem to be losing consciousness due to the noxious fumes coming out of Sparky’s mouth.

You might think that this is nothing to worry about. All dogs (and some cats) have bad breath, right? Not so fast. There can be many reasons behind chronic bad breath (also known as halitosis) in your pet. Bad breath can result from dental or gum disease, a build up of bacteria in the mouth, lungs or gut or larger issues such as gastrointestinal tract, liver, or kidney problems.  Whatever the cause, persistent bad breath is not something to take lightly.

If you have noticed that your beloved pet has been having bad breath issues, the best thing to do is to contact your veterinarian. They can help you to pinpoint the cause of the problem. They may want to do an examination or go through a list of possible causes to help shed light on what is causing the bad breath.

Once you have determined the cause of the odor predicament, your veterinarian can help you to decide the proper course of treatment. However, before you even get to that stage, there are things you can do to help prevent the problem from rearing its smelly head.

First, remember that just like humans, both dogs and cats need dental checkups. Proper dental care is essential for keeping your pet’s mouth clean and healthy. Plus, lack of dental care can lead to a whole host of other issues. An ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure in this case.

Second, the brand of food you feed your pet is important. High quality, easily digestible food is best. There are also doggy and kitty treats that can help keep teeth clean and breath smelling pretty.

Third, brush your pet’s teeth daily. Many people laugh at this, but you brush your teeth every day, right?  Well, Sparky and Fluffy need theirs done too.  But remember to only use toothpaste made for pets!

Finally, remember that if your cat or dog has a very sudden change of breath, contact your veterinarian immediately.

We promise that it is far more enjoyable to cuddle with a sweet smelling pet watching that movie!