A veterinarian has shared three straightforward steps that every dog owner can take at home to address their pet's bad breath before it becomes a more serious issue. Amir Anwary, known online as @amirthevet, posted a video on social media emphasising that dental care is often overlooked by pet owners, despite being essential for a dog's overall health.
Brushing Remains the Gold Standard
In the clip, Anwary stated: "If you have a dog with stinky breath and dirty teeth, these are three things you can do at home to help fix that." His first and most crucial recommendation is regular tooth brushing. He explained: "Okay, first, and I'm mentioning this because I always have to mention this, is brushing your pet's teeth. That is the absolute gold standard. If you can brush your pet's teeth three to four times a week, that will be absolutely incredible and you get number one prize for being able to do that."
Choosing Effective Dental Chews
Secondly, Anwary cautioned owners against purchasing every dental chew marketed in pet shops. Instead, he advised opting for products endorsed by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). He warned: "Most dental treats and chews on the market are actually completely ineffective and just really unhealthy. If you're gonna use a dental chew or a treat, use one like Veggiedent or Whimzees. Those are actually proven to be effective."
Dental Powders as a Convenient Alternative
As a final tip, the vet recommended dental powders, which can be sprinkled over food to freshen breath and clean teeth while dogs eat. He explained: "A dental powder is basically a concentrated version of the beneficial ingredients that go into your doggy chews and treats. All you do is sprinkle it over your dog's food, it coats the pellets and as they chew, it actively cleans the teeth and freshens the breath." However, he cautioned against products with only a single active ingredient, advising: "Use one that has between four or five active ingredients. Those are generally a lot better."
Owners Share Their Experiences
In the comments section, many dog owners expressed their delight and shared their own experiences. One owner joked: "How do you brush a chihuahua's teeth? Mine is a piranha." Another added: "My dogs are 13 and 11 years old and I've brushed their teeth since they were five months old. Their breath doesn't smell and the vet says their teeth are great." A third owner said: "I brush my rescue poodle's teeth every night with a baby toothbrush and coconut oil. At first she resisted, but now she knows she gets a treat afterwards."
