We've all experienced that absolutely horrible stinky breath after being given a big wet one by our dogs. And of course our instinct is to gag and then tell Fido just how aweful that smelled. However bad breath can be an indicator that something is not going right in your dogs belly or inside his or her mouth.

Bad breath is the result of odor-producing bacteria in your dog's mouth, lungs or even their gut. If the smelly breath is ever-present then it may be a warning sign that your pooch needs better dental care or that he needs a check-up by the vet to ensure nothing more sinister is going on in his stomach, liver or kidneys.

If you've tried to improve your dog's dental health by brushing their teeth and giving them dental bones to help aid their pearly whites then it might be time for your vet to start his or her investigation. Don't succumb to the old school way of thought that dogs just have smelly breath. A simple physical exam may find the cause, however in some cases some extra lab work may be needed in the form of a blood test, a swab of his or her mouth or even a stool sample. These will determine just where the problem is and how to treat it.
 

Treatment will depend on what your vet diagnoses. If plaque is the cause your pooch may need a professional teeth cleaning which most vets offer. Sometimes diet may be the cause and you will need to change your dogs diet to suit. A balanced diet of quality meats and grain and filler-free dry kibble will help keep his or her insides happy. But if these aren't the treatments rest assured that your vet will give you the best advice on how to tackle this stinky problem.

Here are a few preventative tips to help avoid another stinky kiss from your pup:

 

• Get regular check-ups with your vet.
• Brush your pet's teeth frequently using doggy toothpaste.
• Feed your dog grain and filler-free food to make digestion easier.
• Give your pooch hard and safe chew toys to help clean their teeth.
• Choose dental specific treats that will help your dogs dental health

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