If you have a dachshund, then you know that they are notorious for having smelly breath. This is because their mouths contain bacteria that cause bad breath and sometimes even other odors like rotting flesh or urine. If your pup’s mouth smells particularly rank, it could be a sign of an infection or illness. This blog post will give you some tips on how to prevent these types of odors from happening in the first place as well as what to do if your dog has an odor coming from its mouth.
Dachshunds are known for having bad-smelling breath. That is a problem when they try to kiss you and you feel that horrible smell. According to vets, dog bad breath or halitosis is caused by a variety of reasons like problems in the mouth, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, or internal organs. However, the most common cause is plaque and tartar build-up in your dog’s teeth.
Dachshund dental hygiene problems
Doxies are prone to have plaque and tartar in their teeth. This allows bacteria to build up in your dog’s mouth, which causes a bad odor but also causes gum disease (gingivitis). This also causes tooth decay which can be very dangerous for your doxie. If left unattended gingivitis can lead to tooth loss and periodontal disease. Some studies have found a correlation between periodontal disease and kidney, liver, or heart damage.
What causes dogs to have bad breath?
Although most of the time dog’s bad breath is caused by poor dental hygiene, in some cases it might be caused by other issues. Kidney disease or failure will make your dog’s breath smell like ammonia or urine. If your dog has diabetes his smell may turn unusually sweet or fruity. If your dog has foul breath accompanied by vomiting, lack of appetite, and yellow-tinged corneas, it might be an indication of liver problems.
Get rid of bad dog breath
If your dog has bad breath the first thing you need to do is take him to a vet for an examination. A dental cleaning will probably be the first thing your vet will recommend. Before doing the dental cleaning, your vet may request a blood screening to detect any sign of organ failure. Before the procedure, your dog will be placed under anesthesia.
If your dog has signs of gum disease, the vet will also request an X-ray to determine the extent of the damage, and determine the necessary treatment. In extreme cases, your vet might have to pull some of your dog’s teeth.
After your dog’s teeth have been professionally cleaned. There are some things you must do at home to keep your dog’s mouth healthy and free of bad breath.
Brushing your dog’s teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth at least three times a week is an effective way to stop plaque and tartar from build-up. Doing this will avoid gum and dental disease. Brushing a dog’s teeth can be difficult at first but after a few times, you and your dog will get used to it. The first thing you need to know is that you should NEVER use regular toothpaste as it contains fluoride. This is poisonous to dogs if ingested (Your dog will ingest it), so use a toothpaste formulated for dogs.
How to brush your dog’s teeth
The best time to brush your doxie teeth is when he is relaxed, so it’s a good idea to do it after a walk. Don’t try to brush the whole mouth at first. Start by cleaning the front teeth at first and as your dog gets used to it, start brushing the back teeth.
Place the brush at a 45 degrees angle against the teeth and make downward and circular motions to clear away the plaque. Focus on your dog’s canine and back teeth as that is where plaque tends to collect. Try to clean the inside of the teeth as well. However, cleaning this area can be tricky, do it gently so your dog doesn’t become agitated and uncomfortable.
If there is bleeding during the brushing it’s a sign of gingivitis. Some light bleeding is ok, but if there’s a lot of bleeding take your dog to the vet. Brushing is a good way to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy but it’s no substitute for a professional cleaning. Take your dog to a vet to get a dental cleaning every 6 to 12 months.
Check out this related post: Dachshund diet and exercise
Dog dental chews and treats
Using chew toys and bones that are designed to strengthen and clean your dog’s teeth can help to avoid tartar build-up. There are also dog treats designed to clean teeth and improve your dog’s breath. These things help to keep your dog’s mouth healthy but are not as effective as teeth brushing. And also remember there is no substitute for a dental cleaning by a veterinarian.
The best dental chews for dachshunds
TruDog Clean Me Dental Chews: They’re designed to promote oral health, These dental chews are not only delicious but healthy. Clean Me Dental Chews have Natural And Hypoallergenic.
TruDog Clean Me Dental Chews are the perfect solution for freshening your dog’s breath, removing tartar, and leaving teeth pearly white. They’re made to promote your dog’s oral hygiene every day!
TruDog Clean Me Dental Chews are designed to scrape away tartar without damaging tooth enamel or gums. And best of all – they dissolve in your pet’s mouth for easy consumption!
How to brush dog teeth when they refuse
Brushing your dog’s teeth is not an easy thing. Some dogs don’t like having their teeth brushed at any moment. No matter how many tricks you try, your dog no won’t let you clean its teeth. This problem is especially true with stubborn breeds like dachshunds. Luckily there are some great dental care products for dogs that make this task a lot easier.
BarkBox Bright Toothpaste & Toothbrush Chews Kit
BarkBox Bright Toothpaste & Toothbrush Chews Kit is a great alternative to brushing your dog’s teeth with a traditional brush.
Bright works by combining a delicious REAL CHICKEN chew that scrubs your dog’s teeth while removing plaque buildup on surfaces. And, a powerful enzymatic toothpaste with 3 enzymes that break down food debris and scrub away bacteria in your dog’s teeth for fresher breath.
It might be a little difficult for you to brush your pets’ teeth (or even try it), but with Bright Toothpaste and Toothbrush Chews Kit you can help them keep their mouths clean.
Click here to know more about Bright Toothpaste & Toothbrush Chews Kit
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