There’s nothing like spending quality time with your furry friends. But cuddling isn’t fun when your best friend has stinky dog breath. Just like humans, dogs get bad breath when food becomes stuck between their teeth and plaque and tartar builds up around the gumline. Without proper oral care, bacteria start to grow and cause your dog's breath to smell.

Here are a few natural remedies to keep your dog’s breath smelling fresh:

1. Crunchy Treats

Snacks that help scrape away plaque build up are an ideal way to prevent stinky dog breath. Fresh treats like carrot sticks, apple slices, and cauliflower are rigid enough to provide a gentle abrasive effect on your dog’s teeth. You can also freeze them for a few minutes to make a soothing treat for teething puppies.

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties that can assist in the elimination of bad breath in dogs. As an added benefit, it can also keep your dog's coat shiny. Try adding coconut oil to your dog’s food (1 teaspoon per day for small dogs and up to 1 tablespoon for large dogs). Coconut oil also works well as a toothpaste to keep teeth bright and glossy.

3. Fresh Mint

Mint contains chlorophyll, which has natural healing properties and helps repair minor abrasions your dog’s mouth and gums. Mint is also high in vitamins A and C, which promote bone, skin, and vision health. Fresh mint also has anti-bacterial properties and helps eliminate bad dog breath. Try sprinkling some fresh mint on your dog's food at each meal.

4. Lemon Juice or Apple Cider Vinegar

The acidity in lemon juice helps to reduce plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth and neutralizes odor-causing bacteria. Apple cider vinegar is a natural source of malic and acetic acids, which kill bacteria and help your dog’s breath smell fresh. Add up to 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to your dog's water bowl per day.

5. Dental Chews and Treats

Chewing on toys and eating dental treats are the natural teeth cleaning remedies for dogs that they love most! The action of chewing a treat or toy works to remove surface plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth. The increased saliva production also helps to keep your dog’s mouth smelling fresh. Check out our recent blog post featuring the best dental chews for your dog.

6. Yogurt or Probiotics

The healthy live bacteria in yogurt and probiotics help reduce stinky dog breath by eliminating odor-causing bacteria in your dog’s mouth. These beneficial bacteria can also promote gut health and aid in digestion. Try giving your dog unflavored natural yogurt daily as a treat and consult with your veterinarian about probiotic supplements.

Try some of these tips today to maintain your dog’s oral health naturally and enjoy plenty of cuddle time without stinky dog breath.