The Kit and Cavoodle Pet Center

We all love a good snuggle with our furry friends, but let’s be honest: nobody loves “doggy breath.” While we often joke about stinky breath (or just give them a treat and ignore it) that odor could be a sign something deeper is going on.

We often tell our customers the solution to bad breath—and the health issues that come with it—goes beyond just brushing their teeth.

It’s easy to think of dental care as simply cleaning teeth. But our pets’ dental health is directly related to the body’s most critical functioning systems–including the digestive, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems. Just like ours, our pets’ mouths are the gateway to the blood supply. Toxins found in inflamed gums or plaque buildup can enter the bloodstream and travel straight to the heart, leading to poor circulation and potential heart damage. When we ignore the mouth, we are risking the body as a whole.

So, what are some ways to help?

Of course, regular check-ups at the vet and dental cleanings as necessary are the answer to fixing the problem if your pet’s teeth have gone a bit too far. But you can take steps before this to help prevent expensive and stressful cleanings.

1.) Start in the gut. Incorporating pre- and probiotics into your pet’s diet doesn’t just help them digest their food better. Maintaining a healthy microbiome in the gut will help your pet from tongue to tail, preventing bad bacteria that causes that foul breath in the first place. 

2.) Moisture! For years, pet owners have been told that “kibble cleans teeth.” Unfortunately, this is largely a myth. Relying on dry food alone is rarely the solution to preventative dental health because moisture in the diet is incredibly important for oral hygiene. Imagine that all you eat for every meal is dry cereal. How much food build-up would be on your molars if you didn’t brush three times a day?! Adding moisture into the diet helps, not only with keeping the teeth clean, but with digestion, too! 

3.) Find alternatives to the brush. If you struggle with a toothbrush (and let’s face it, many of us do), try working with your pet’s instincts. In keeping with our pets’ natural biological inclinations, both dogs and cats have an evolutionary need to chew and tear meat and bones. This naturally scrapes teeth clean. Natural chews such as bully sticks and antlers are a great way to give your pet that abrasive action we get from a toothbrush. 

A great trick is to apply an enzymatic dental gel onto your pets’ gums and give them a favorite chew toy. As they gnaw on the toy to satisfy their chewing drive, the gel works around the gum line, allowing the enzymes to start breaking up the plaque and tartar!

Finally, it’s vital to remember our pets are masters at hiding pain. Last year, we had a customer come in distressed because her usually sweet dog had started growling and snapping at her. She was worried it was a sudden behavioral or aggression issue. I asked if her dog might be pain, as this is usually a sign of discomfort for a typically loving dog. After a vet visit, it turned out the poor pup had an abscessed tooth. Once the tooth was treated, the aggression vanished and her pup was back to her usual, snuggly self.

So, if your pet is grumpy or their breath is clearing the room, don’t ignore it. Come chat with us about chews, moisture-rich diets, and supplements that can keep their smile—and their lives—healthy.