How to Cure a Dog's Bad Breath

Co-authored by Beverly Ulbrich and Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

Last Updated: June 29, 2021

While it’s ideal to prevent your dog from getting bad breath in the first place by doing things like brushing its teeth properly, there’s still hope if your canine pal already has stinky breath. You can try various home remedies to mask its bad breath, and make some dietary and lifestyle changes in hopes of improving the situation. However, bad breath can also be a sign of larger health issues, so it’s always advisable to take your dog in for regular vet checkups. Or, if your dog's breath turns foul all of a sudden, contact your vet right away.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Trying Home Remedies for Bad Breath

1
Add snips of mint, parsley, or wheatgrass to their food. The chlorophyll that makes these herbs green also has potential breath-freshening benefits. Use scissors or your fingers to finely snip or tear up about 1 tsp (5 g) of one or more of the herbs, then sprinkle it on top of your dog’s food each day.^{[1]
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- These herbs, like most home remedies for bad breath, only mask the stink. They don’t address underlying causes like periodontal disease or other illnesses. It’s always advisable to get regular veterinary check-ups that involve oral health evaluations.
2
Pour 1 tsp (4.9 ml) of coconut oil over their food. Coconut oil has become very popular in recent years (for people and pups) due to a host of potential health benefits attached to it. Among other things, it’s claimed to help freshen bad doggy breath. Use up to 1 tsp (4.9 ml) on their food each mealtime and see if you notice an improvement in your dog’s breath.^{[2]
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- Dogs typically like the smell and taste of coconut oil, so you probably won’t have a problem getting them to eat it with their food.
- However, keep in mind that coconut oil is very high in calories. Don't feed it to your dog too often, and stop using it if the dog gains weight. Additionally, coconut oil is high in fat, so it isn't right for every dog, especially those prone to pancreatitis.
- If they don't care for coconut oil, try parsley, cinnamon, dental chews, or another option.
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3
Put a pinch of cinnamon into their dog food. Cinnamon, like coconut oil, has many presumed health benefits attached to it. In this case, though, it’s mostly being used as a masking agent to cover up bad breath.^{[3]
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- Don’t add more than a pinch of cinnamon to your dog’s food at each mealtime, or the flavor and scent may be too intense for their liking.
4
Try doggy dental chews with chlorophyll. Canine dental chews are widely available at pet supply stores, large retailers, and online. Look for chews that include chlorophyll as well as cinnamon and clove for the best chance of getting fresh breath results.^{[4]
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- Dental chews come in various sizes and shapes, and can be fed as treats or chew snacks. Follow the package instructions or consult your vet regarding how often to give your dog dental chews.
5
Enhance their regular water with doggy dental water additives. There are numerous dental water additives to choose from, and most of them involve mixing in a small amount to your dog’s regular water supply. In simple terms, this dental water is meant to function as a drinkable mouthwash.^{[5]
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- Check the dental water package for directions on using it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Changing Mouth Care and Eating Habits

1
Brush their teeth regularly with doggy toothpaste. Most dogs will accept daily teeth brushing as part of their routine if you use the proper tools and give them positive encouragement throughout the process.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Beverly Ulbrich
Dog Behaviorist & Trainer
Expert Interview. 12 February 2021.} If your dog is very resistant or you’re afraid they’ll bite you, talk to your vet for advice.^{[7]
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- Never use human toothpaste on dogs. You should also use a toothbrush designed for dogs.
- It’s best to get them in the habit at a young age—you can start brushing their teeth at around 8 weeks.
2
Provide them with breed- and age-appropriate chew toys. Chew toys not only keep dogs occupied, they also help remove tartar buildup that can cause bad breath. Pick out chew toys that are the right size for your dog—big dogs shouldn’t get tiny chew toys they might choke on, and little dogs shouldn’t get giant chew toys that are too big for their mouth.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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- Consult your vet about the best kind of chew toys for your dog. Unless otherwise recommended, avoid using bones or antlers, which can break teeth.
- You can also find dental chew toys that are either coated or filled with a small amount of doggy toothpaste.
3
Feed the dog a balanced diet. A high-quality, vet-recommended dog food that is suited to your particular dog is good for their overall health. It’s also less likely to cause tooth decay, diabetes, or other causes of bad breath.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Cut back on table scraps and dog treats. Focus on providing them with a nutritious diet.
- Check the ingredients of your dog's food to make sure it doesn't contain cheap fillers or fish meal. These ingredients can cause your dog to have smelly breath.
- Ask your vet about giving your dog a snack of cut apples and/or carrots each day. These crunchy treats can help to remove stinky tartar from their teeth.^{[10]
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4
Restrict their access to trash, dead animals, and/or poop. In many cases, dogs have bad breath because they eat really smelly things. If your dog gets into the trash, snacks on roadkill, or eats cat poop (or its own poop), you shouldn’t be surprised if their breath is foul.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Remove kitchen trash from your home regularly, and make sure the trash can has a secure lid. Likewise make sure that your outside garbage cans have secure lids.
- Use a leash to keep your dog away from dead animals and restrain them from catching animals.
- Dogs that eat the feces of cats or other animals, or even their own poop, have a condition known as coprophagia. While there is the chance of them picking up illnesses this way, the main problem is usually the bad breath it causes.
5
Give your dog daily canine probiotics. In dogs as in people, probiotics are intended to restore the proper balance of healthy bacteria to the digestive system. Mouth and digestive bacteria can trigger bad breath, so daily use of probiotics may help improve your dog’s breath.^{[12]
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- Ask your vet if probiotics are right for your dog.
- Use probiotics marketed for dogs, not humans.
- Don’t expect immediate breath-freshening results with probiotics—give them daily for at least a few weeks.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Checking for Infections or Diseases

1
Schedule a vet checkup and ask about a dental cleaning. If your dog has persistent bad breath, or you notice their breath turning especially foul, call your vet for an appointment.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Beverly Ulbrich
Dog Behaviorist & Trainer
Expert Interview. 12 February 2021.} They’ll likely check your dog for dental problems or mouth infections, which are both possible causes of bad breath, and may do further testing as needed.^{[14]
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- If your dog has heavy tartar buildup on their teeth or signs of periodontal disease, your vet may do a dental cleaning. Your dog will need to be sedated for this procedure, and severely decayed teeth may need to be extracted.^{[15]
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  Expert Source
  
  Beverly Ulbrich
  Dog Behaviorist & Trainer
  Expert Interview. 12 February 2021.}^{[16]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
2
Recognize sweet, fruity breath as a potential sign of diabetes. While it may seem like a pleasant change from truly foul doggy breath, overly-sweet-smelling dog breath can indicate diabetes. Your vet will likely to blood testing and other diagnostic tests to confirm a diabetes diagnosis.^{[17]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Diabetes is a serious condition, but typically a treatable one in dogs.
3
Treat urine-scented breath as a possible signal of kidney issues. Some dogs eat feces, but they don’t drink urine. So, if your dog has breath that smells like urine, take them to the vet to check for possible kidney problems.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Urine-scented breath can indicate a wide range of kidney troubles. Some may be very treatable, while others can be extremely serious. It’s important to get a vet’s diagnosis.
4
Suspect liver problems if bad breath is combined with other specific symptoms. If your dog is suffering from a liver disorder, they’ll likely have truly foul bad breath combined with one or more of the following: vomiting; loss of appetite; or yellowish gums. Make a vet appointment right away if you recognize these symptoms.^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Many, but not all, liver disorders can be life-threatening, so don’t delay in getting a proper diagnosis and treatment for your canine pal.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is bad breath in dogs a sign of illness?

Beverly Ulbrich
Dog Behaviorist & Trainer
Beverly Ulbrich is a Dog Behaviorist and Trainer and the Founder of The Pooch Coach, a private dog training business based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a Certified CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator by the American Kennel Club and has served on the Board of Directors for the American Humane Association and Rocket Dog Rescue. She has been voted the best private dog trainer in the San Francisco Bay Area 4 times by SF Chronicle and by Bay Woof, and she has won 4 "Top Dog Blog" awards. She has also been featured on TV as a dog behavior expert. Beverly has over 18 years of dog behavior training experience and specializes in dog aggression and anxiety training. She has a Master of Business Administration from Santa Clara University and a BS from Rutgers University.

Beverly Ulbrich

Dog Behaviorist & Trainer

Expert Answer

I would check with your vet if your dog's breath is bad, especially if it happened suddenly. Just like with humans, it could be a sign of a problem like an upset stomach, tooth decay, or gingivitis.
Question

Why should I brush my dog's teeth?

Beverly Ulbrich
Dog Behaviorist & Trainer
Beverly Ulbrich is a Dog Behaviorist and Trainer and the Founder of The Pooch Coach, a private dog training business based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a Certified CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator by the American Kennel Club and has served on the Board of Directors for the American Humane Association and Rocket Dog Rescue. She has been voted the best private dog trainer in the San Francisco Bay Area 4 times by SF Chronicle and by Bay Woof, and she has won 4 "Top Dog Blog" awards. She has also been featured on TV as a dog behavior expert. Beverly has over 18 years of dog behavior training experience and specializes in dog aggression and anxiety training. She has a Master of Business Administration from Santa Clara University and a BS from Rutgers University.

Beverly Ulbrich

Dog Behaviorist & Trainer

Expert Answer

Brushing your dog's teeth every day will help keep their gums and teeth healthy. Tooth problems in dogs can lead to a lot of different problems, as well as pain that makes it hard for them to eat or chew. It will also help prevent the need for a deep cleaning where they have to put your dog under anesthesia.