Does Fido need a Tic-Tac?

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Do the sprays for a dog’s bad breath work and which kind is best?

As a general rule, these sprays, when used alone, do not provide a long term solution. Halitosis, or bad breath, in dogs is generally the result of a build-up of dental tartar on the teeth. As the amount of tartar increases, the gums become inflamed, red and sore. The problem becomes a persistent infection of the mouth which leads to the foul breath. If the root of the bad breath – this tartar along with infected gums – is not addressed by regular brushing or dental cleanings by your veterinarian, no amount of spray is going to freshen the breath.

There are some sprays that claim to dissolve the tartar, but I am not aware of conclusive proof that this is true. Young dogs, once they have lost all their baby teeth, generally do not have bad breath, unless they enjoy eating nasty things found in the yard or cow pasture near their home. Their teeth are pearly white and they have no significant tartar to speak of. Needless to say, during this period of time, the odor of a dog’s breath is at its best.

But as dogs age and time takes it toll, tartar builds up and gradually you begin to notice the bad breath. To paraphrase, “Dog breath by any other name would still smell….like dog breath.” Nevertheless, many dog owners would agree they notice a difference as their pet ages.

If you would like to ask a question about your pet – send an email to Dr. Philip Arnall

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