Clients frequently complain about their pet’s bad breath-let’s take a look at a few possible explanations:
- Unless we do it for them, dogs and cats don’t brush their teeth, allowing for bacteria to build up in their mouths. You know what it feels like to wake up with “morning breath”. Now multiply that times 365 days a year.
- Sometimes a pet’s digestive system doesn’t “agree” with the food they eat, allowing gas to build up in the intestinal tract. Often the use of probiotics can restore the flora balance in the intestinal tract, reducing the amount of gas produced.
- Dental disease, including the need for extractions, can cause pus to form, leading to a strong odor from the mouth.
- Let’s remember, some of our four legged friends will eat anything (dead animals, underwear, dirty diapers, etc.) Listerine, anyone?
- Some dog breeds have thick, droopy lips. Food and water often just sit in the lip-folds, causing smelly infections. Some of our clients’ dogs have had lip tucks, where excessive skin has been removed, allowing clients to more easily keep up with “lip hygiene.”