Category: bad breath

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bad breath Odor/Smell

Do you have a smelly, dirty dog?

by Carlotta Cooper

Stinky Dogs!

Have you ever been happily petting your dog, thinking how lucky you are to have such a wonderful best friend, looking deeply into his soulful eyes — when all of a sudden he lets out a burp that makes the house shake? You probably pull your face back fast enough to get whiplash. The odor certainly makes you start wondering what’s in the food you feed your dog.

Or, there’s the classic situation when you’re sitting with your dog and you start noticing a strong noxious odor in the room. You look at your dog but he continues to wag his tail and look quite happy. You know that toxic smell came from him but he’s not saying a word.

Sometimes it seems like dogs delight in finding the smelliest things they can to roll in and play with when they’re outdoors. Dogs actually do like to roll in garbage and dead animal carcasses. Dogs have a very different idea of what smells good than we do. They can actually like playing with stinky things. In the wild, wolves will even roll in such things in order to disguise their own scent. It helps them get closer to their prey.

Eeewww!

For most encounters with garbage and smelly dead things a good bath will take care of the problem. You can use a shampoo and conditioner like Bubbles n’ Beads which has a clean laundry scent to replace the eau de varmint smell your dog has chosen. If your dog has smelly skin because of a bacterial infection then Bubbles n’ Beads can help with that odor, too. It contains antimicrobial tea tree and lavender oils.

If your dog has a close encounter with a skunk one good de-skunking remedy is to bathe your dog in the following solution:

1 quart (or liter) of 3 percent Hydrogen Peroxide

1/4 cup Baking Soda

A small amount of dish detergent, such as Dawn

Bathe your dog as soon as you find him after he meets the skunk. The skunk’s spray will most likely be hurting his eyes. You may have to bathe more than once but the first bath will noticeably reduce the odor.

Going Grunge

Most people like to give their dog a bath at least once a month (to learn how often to wash your dog click here .) That’s fine for most dogs and most breeds. It’s often enough to keep a dog clean and yet it doesn’t strip all of the natural oils from your dog’s coat. If you need to stretch the time between baths you may notice that your dog starts to smell a little rank. To be frank, you may want to walk down wind of him. If that’s the case and your dog is getting a little grungy, then something like Dry Dog Instant Clean can keep you and your dog in the same room together. Dry Dog Instant Clean is a dry shampoo that you can use instead of a bath. Or, you can use a canine cologne like Fur Breeze which also removes doggy odor.

His Breath Could Stop A Train

If your dog has chronic bad breath (not just an occasional burp), you should check his teeth. Many dogs develop gum disease by the age of three. Frequent brushing with a pet toothbrush and toothpaste will help prevent dental problems for your dog and keep his breath pleasant. Make sure that you don’t use human toothpaste. It can contain artificial sweeteners which are toxic to dogs. Check your pet sore for doggy toothpaste. It comes in flavors such as beef and peanut butter and most dogs love them. Dog Smog Remedy is also a great help for bad doggy breath. It’s an all-natural breath freshener that contains peppermint and fennel. You can spray it in your dog’s mouth or add a few drops to his food or water. A breath freshener like Dog Smog Remedy really helps when your dog has eaten something disgusting and temporarily has bad breath.

Noxious Fumes

Dog Smog Remedy is also a digestive aid so it can help with problems from your dog’s, um, other end. If your dog has problems with flatulence (or gaseous eruptions) Dog Smog Remedy can help neutralize the digestive enzymes in your dog’s stomach that are causing the excess gas. Of course, if your dog has a continuing problem with gas then you should re-evaluate his food and overall diet. Something he’s eating may not be agreeing with him. Some foods, especially those high in plant content, including corn and soybeans, can be harder for a dog to digest properly.

You should not give your dog over-the-counter medications for flatulence or stomach problems, such as Pepto-Bismol, without the advice of your veterinarian. Human medications can contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs.

No More Bad Smells

Dogs seem to be smelly in a lot of different ways, but I guess the same could be said of people. Heaven knows we have plenty of ways to fight bad odors for humans! As far as I know there aren’t any doggy deodorants but there are other ways to help your dog smell good. You can make his breath smell better, make his skin and coat smell good, and help him fight noxious emissions. Anything that makes your dog smell good will make it more fun to spend time with him so these are all good things to know.

Categories
Anxiety & Nervousness bad breath

Why Do Dog's Lick?

I’ve Been Kissed By A Dog!

I have, possibly, the world’s cuddliest dog. Her name is Pearl and she is a lovebug. She wants to be petted all the time. She may weigh 50 pounds but that doesn’t stop her from wanting to climb up in my lap and give me kisses. She likes to lick my nose and my ears. I love petting Pearl and giving her hugs but I have to say that sometimes her kisses are a less-than-pleasant experience. It’s the doggy breath . She likes to lick everything! She licks me, she licks and grooms herself, she licks the other dogs. She licks the kitchen counter. Then there’s everything outside. I don’t even want to think about the things she finds to lick in the yard!

Dogs can lick for several different reasons and some of them may surprise you.

  • Dogs lick for cleaning purposes. They use their tongues to clean themselves. Maybe Pearl is trying to clean me when she licks my face. Maybe she’s trying to clean the other dogs when she licks them. I think she’s very maternal so she may be indulging her mothering instincts and treating us all like puppies.

    Pearl may be cleaning my ears when she licks them. I know that she likes to lick the ears of my other dogs. She will take a paw and hold their head down so she can really get their ears clean. They don’t seem to mind. Cleaning ears and washing faces seems to be her designated role. I guess she thinks my ears need cleaning, too. After all, ears are a dark, warm place — just perfect for a dog’s tongue to dart in and feel around. Pearl may think she’s doing her job.

    • Licking can also be a way of showing affection. Mothers do this with puppies. Mothers lick puppies not just to clean them but to help their circulation and digestion. Some of this licking behavior in the whelping box is the result of the hormones that are being stimulated by birth and by the puppies nursing, but a lot of it is simply instinct. If you ever watch a mother dog with her puppies she will wash them (lick them) almost like she’s counting them, one at a time, then tuck them next to her and go to sleep. This same behavior may go on with a dog who doesn’t have puppies but who is feeling maternal or feeling affection for someone or something. Your dog may lick you and then curl up asleep next to you, satisfied that all is well.


    • Puppies also lick their mothers and older dogs. This is a way of showing respect or submission for a superior member of the pack. You hold that same position for your dog.

    • Licking around the mouth can also be a way to try to induce their mother (or other adult) to regurgitate food for them to eat. I sure hope Pearl doesn’t think I’m going to do that for her!

    • Licking behavior can also become obsessive-compulsive. In these cases it usually occurs when your dog is feeling anxious about something. The behavior may be long term or short term. If your dog develops obsessive licking behavior suddenly you should try to assess whether there have been any changes in your household or in your dog’s routine. Is there something bothering him or her? Is there something upsetting your dog? Have you introduced a new person or another pet into the home? Is your dog suffering from a form of separation anxiety and compulsively licking himself while you are away from home during the day?

      Compulsive licking and grooming can lead to self-injury in the form of lick granuloma, an ulcerous lesion which can become infected. The more the dog licks, the worse the itching and the worse the lesion, and so on. Dogs can also become compulsive about licking things besides themselves. They can compulsively lick furniture, the floor, the walls, or even you.

      The best thing to do is to find what it is that is making your dog anxious and try to address the problem. Sometimes you can’t remove the person or thing making your dog anxious but you can find ways to help your dog adjust. For instance, there are ways to help your dog cope with separation anxiety. However, it may be necessary to consult with a veterinarian. He or she may need to temporarily prescribe some medication to help with your dog’s problem.

      Ordinary licking to show affection is perfectly normal. It’s also normal for a dog to lick other dogs and to lick objects to find out how they taste. Your dog may be looking for food crumbs or trying to find out if there’s anything left on the object worth tasting. Licking isn’t usually a behavior that most people discourage too much. If you don’t want your dog to lick you, your dog will usually pick up on your signals (Eeewww! Yuck!) and cut back on the behavior, but it comes very naturally to some dogs. I doubt that I could make Pearl stop doing it if I tried.

      If your dog has bad doggy breath, however, there is something you can do about that. Dog Smog Remedy can do away with bad dog breath. It’s an all-natural breath freshener. It contains peppermint and fennel to improve your dog’s breath — which really helps when your dog has been licking all kinds of things and then wants to give you a kiss! If your dog is going to lick, they should definitely have fresh breath. You can either spray Dog Smog Remedy in your dog’s mouth or add a couple of drops to your dog’s food or water. Dog Smog Remedy helps dogs who eat bad things outside, too. Do you have a poop eater? I know — disgusting. That’s a whole different problem, but your dog definitely needs Dog Smog Remedy.

      One other thing. If your dog does have very bad breath you should check their teeth and gums. It could be a sign that they have dental problems. I had one dog that we jokingly called “Breath of Death” because her breath was so bad, but it turned out that she had some tooth decay that needed vet attention. So, do check your dog’s teeth if you notice that their breath gets much worse than usual.

      Categories
      bad breath gas & poop

      Canine Bad Breath Getting You Down?

      Does bad breath prevent you from enjoying your canine companion’s company? Do you dread doggy kisses because your pal’s breath will knock you out? You’re not alone – I and many other dog owners have dealt with breath so bad it could kill flowers and send people running from the room. What causes bad breath, and what should you do about it?

      What causes bad breath in dogs?

      Dogs aren’t the most discerning diners. Your dog’s bad breath can be as simple as having eaten something that you’d never consider edible, or it can be a result of dental hygiene issues or even more severe medical problems.

      Occasional bad breath probably isn’t an issue – it’s just a case of your dog dining at a buffet you’d probably avoid, like the local garbage can or other unsavory goodies. If your dog has recurring bad breath, though, you should consider veterinary care to identify a potential underlying medical problem.

      How to deal with dental hygiene issues causing bad breath.

      You’ve got several options if your dog’s bad breath is caused by dental hygiene issues:

      1. Brush your dog’s teeth.

      Sound like fun? It probably won’t be fun for you or your dog, unless you learn how to make your dog love it. To ensure good dental hygiene, make it part of your routine to brush your dog’s teeth and learn how to make it fun for both of you!

      2. Encourage your dog to chew!

      No, you don’t want your dog shredding newspapers or eating your favorite slippers, but chewing helps to promote good dental hygiene. Give your dog dental chew treats, rawhide or other hard chew toys regularly to help keep his teeth strong and clean!

      3. Consider changing your dog’s diet.

      Diet can be another factor in canine bad breath, so try to keep an eye on what your dog eats. I know this can be easier said than done – turn your back for a minute and your dog is likely to help himself to the an old sock or even worse, poop ! Still, if canine bad breath is persistent, changing your dog’s diet may help to address the issue. Look at one of the all-natural diets from The Honest Kitchen

      4. Try a breath-freshening product or digestive aid.

      You’re not alone in dealing with canine bad breath – dog owners everywhere fear that stinky breath. Luckily, products like Dog Smog Remedy exist to help minimize the effect of canine bad breath. Unlike other breath-fresheners, Dog Smog Remedy actually addresses the digestive issues – minimizing bad smells from both ends of your doggy pal!

      Hate the bad breath, but love your dog!

      Canine bad breath is treatable! Use good dental hygiene, dog chews, dietary fixes and a digestive aid supplement like Dog Smog Remedy to get rid of the bad dog breath and keep your dog close! Don’t wake up in the morning to a strong whiff of your dog pal’s latest unsavory food choice – keep your Dog Smog Remedy handy to save your olfactory senses. Finally, consider veterinary care if your dog’s bad breath persists.

      Categories
      bad breath gas & poop

      My Dog Eats Poop!

      My Dog Eats Poop!
      by Lorna Paxton

      A couple of years ago I rescued a little Westie mix named Brie. She plays well with my other dog RiQui and is such a sweetie…but, sadly she’s poo eater.
      The very first night we got her my husband told me he saw some poop on the floor. I went to the kitchen to get a paper towel to pick it up and by the time I got back it had disappeared. I thought my husband was paranoid and didn’t think anything of it.
      But the missing poop episodes continued and I finally came to terms with the fact that I have a poo eater. There’s even a medical term for eating poop –coprophagy. Medical or not, it’s very disgusting, I mean, who wants a dog who has just eaten their own feces (or someone elses) to come give them a big wet kiss on the face? GROSS!
      What’s worse than the gross factor is that it can be dangerous. The main concern is that parasites, including giardia, coccidia, roundworms and whipworms, can be transmitted through dog and cat feces.
      Anyway, I will share with you what I learned about Poop Eaters—Why they do it, and how to get them to stop
      Why dogs eat poop

      There are various theories and speculation on this topic which I’ll now reveal, but the most important thing is how to get them to stop (that’ll come in a minute)

      • Some say that some dogs eat poop in order to ‘hide the evidence’ . That might happen with dogs who have been punished for going to the bathroom where they shouldn’t.
      • Others say that it’s a habit passed down to dogs from their ancestors . Coyotes and wolves have been known to eat poop during food shortages.
      • Monkey see monkey do. Eating poop can be a learned behavior . If one dog sees another one doing it, they’ll copy. It’s the old “If Fido jumps off a 50 foot building are you going to?”
      • It’s also normal for females to eat the poop of their pups. Some think say this is to keep the den clean while others think it’s a instinctual response to hide their litter from predators.
      • And then again, maybe they do it because it tastes good . Remember, a dog’s taste buds are simpler than ours. They’re into smell and texture so poop is quite a delicacy.
      • Many puppies eat their stool because they become confused about where to go so they figure it’s easier to just eat it!
      • Other puppies find nutrient value in their feces if their digestion isn’t complete. They’re attracted to undigested rice, corn or peanuts and other lovely nuggets found in poop!



      Managing the Problem & Solutions

      • Maximizing digestion can help solve this problem. You can add enzyme supplements like papain (a natural enzyme from papaya) to their food, or foods high in enzymes, like pineapple or pumpkin. Stir the enzyme rich food into your dog’s food and let it sit for 15 minutes before feeding. This should make the poop less appealing unless of course you feed your dog those yummy nuggets that come out the other end like peanuts or corn.
      • If your dog does happen to eat poop, you will want to try to remove all evidence of the poopy mouth. Spray some Dog Smog Remedy into their mouth. This is a breath freshener and Digestive solution for dogs. Peppermint, spearmint and fennel will remove the bad breath while Digestive enzymes of papain and bromelain will help with digestion.
      • Be sure that you’re feeding your pooch a high quality diet which digests easier. Check out the nutritious diet from the Honest Kitchen . Also be sure you’re not over feeding your dog which could result in weight gain and more poop!
      • Coat the stools with hot sauce or vinegar , thereby making the experience of eating it unpleasant. Some report injecting the poop with hot sauce so the dog gets a hot mouth of poop. This, for a couple of week is usually enough to deter the dog back to his dog bowl. But the idea of injecting poop with anything sounds mighty unappealing for the human.
      • There are a few products you can buy to discourage poop eating including .

      o meat tenderizer . Just put a small amount on the dog’s food

      o Solid Gold’s S.E.P (stop eating poop)http://www.awltovhc.com/ir97ax0pvtEHJJOJMJEGFIMOONL This all-natural product contains glutamic acid. When mixed with stomach acids it makes the stool taste very bitter and nasty.

      • The most logical solution is to obviously limit access to the poop.

      · Pick up your yard daily

      · If you have a cat, make sure the litterbox is in a place the dog can’t get to.

      · Walk your dog on a leash.

      Hopefully this tricks and tips will help you break your dog of this nastiest of habits. Good luck!