Best snacks to help with dental hygiene:
Some foods can naturally help clean teeth and eliminate bad breath, such as: Apple slices, Carrots, Cucumber slices, & Celery.
Certain fruits, like bananas, apples, strawberries, and blueberries can provide dogs with some healthy variety to their diet and work as a feel-good treat. Unlike many processed treats, fruits come with benefits.
Apples are a fantastic addition to your dog's diet; they provide vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fibre. They also provide a way to keep your dog's teeth clean and helps to freshen their breath!
Baby carrots, sliced apples (without the seeds), cucumbers and celery are low-calorie, rich in nutrients, safe for dogs and have that tooth-cleaning crunch that is so helpful for chasing away bad breath.
The simplest way to prevent bad dog breath is to brush your dog's teeth on a regular basis. Teeth brushing reduces plaque and promotes better oral hygiene, much as it does in humans, and with a little training, most dogs learn to enjoy having their teeth brushed. Dog toothpaste is formulated for dogs.
Small pieces of dog-safe fruits, such as apples, bananas, strawberries, watermelon, mangoes, and blueberries, make delicious and healthy treats for small puppies. However, keep in mind that treats shouldn't make up more than 5% of your puppy's diet, so they should only be given in small amounts and on occasion.
#1 – Apples (minus the core)
This may be true, apples contain antioxidants that help boost immunity. Plus they're sweet… dogs love the sweet.
"The most common cause of halitosis in the dog is periodontal disease arising from plaque (biofilm) and tartar build-up." The primary cause of bad breath in dogs is bad bacteria causing decay that creates smelly sulfur compounds.
Are carrots safe for me to feed my dog?” While some of the vegetables we love are unsafe to feed our dogs, carrots are a perfectly safe and nutritious treat for your dog.
Plain, low or non-fat yogurt provides probiotic benefits and serves as an excellent source of calcium for our canine companions. Adding a small spoonful of yogurt to your dog's regular kibble at mealtime can provide digestive benefits and even help your dog stay full longer.
Strawberries also contain an enzyme that can help whiten your dog's teeth and freshen their breath. They contain malic acid which allows the particles that make stains on your pup's teeth to break away.
Some of the best foods for promoting better dog breath are superfoods for dogs. These foods promote good oral hygiene in dogs while also giving your dog an extra boost of vitamins and minerals. Some of these foods include blueberries, carrots, leafy greens, pumpkin and turmeric.
Excess carbohydrates and sugar → more tartar. More tartar → more bad bacteria, and bad breath. PLUS, the carbohydrates feed bacteria in the mouth that can nestle below the gumline (ew).
Tempting as it is to throw your dog an apple core or similar, the pips, seeds and stones from many fruits contain a small amount of cyanide that can be extremely harmful to your dog and even prove fatal. Notably fruits like apples, cherries, plums, peaches etc need to be avoided.
At most, only feed your dog one type of fruit, and only 1 - 2 slices or small pieces in a day.
Carrots, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, and bananas are packed with important vitamins, along with potassium, which is good for a dog's muscles, nerves, and kidneys. Their fiber can also help dogs stay regular. Oranges are great source of vitamin C.
In most cases, it's safe to give a dog a small amount of fruit, but there are some exceptions. Many fruits like apples and oranges are tasty treats for dogs and may have some great health benefits. Be aware, however, that fruits like avocadoes and grapes have toxins that are harmful to dogs.
What veggies are bad for dogs? The following veggies are considered unsafe for dogs: Garlic, Onions, Shallots, & Chives: Garlic, onions, shallots, and chives are toxic to dogs, whether raw or cooked. They have substances that may cause anemia and damage red blood cells.
Can most dogs eat yogurt? Yes, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they should. While yogurt is not toxic to dogs, many canines might have trouble digesting it because it contains lactose. And plenty of pups have trouble with foods that contain lactose, such as milk.
Oral tumors or advanced dental diseases that cause an influx of bacteria into the mouth can make the dog's breath smell like garbage or sewers. It gives off an extremely foul odor. In extreme cases of negligence, these oral tumors may bleed and give off an unpleasant metallic odor due to blood iron content.
The best way to remove plaque is to simply brush your dog's teeth daily with a dog toothbrush and dog-safe toothpaste. Brushing your pooch's teeth every now and then won't get rid of a buildup of plaque, but regular brushing will help keep their teeth and mouths healthy.