Bad breath and teeth

Bad breath in a dog is almost never just bad breath. It is usually plaque, and plaque that stays becomes tartar, and tartar under the gumline is the beginning of a problem that ends with extractions under general anaesthetic.

Brushing is the only thing on this page that reliably works, and it works because it is mechanical. A finger brush is the easiest way to start with a dog that has never had anything near its teeth; a long-handled brush reaches the back molars, which is where the trouble actually is. Never use human toothpaste, which contains fluoride and often xylitol.

Dental chew toys help at the edges by scraping as the dog works at them. They do not clean a gumline and no toy on this page claims to.

A smell that arrives suddenly, or breath that is sweet or metallic rather than stale, is a vet visit rather than a shopping problem.