Do you often reel with horror or push away your dog whenever it comes to hug or kiss you? Its dirty paws aren't the cause; it's the foul breath in its mouth! If your dog has bad breath, you will often turn elsewhere whenever it comes in for a hug. Don't always blame what it ate, though. Other underlying health issues such as diabetes, kidney disease, throat or oral tumours, oesophagitis and even respiratory infections may have caused the problem. Bad breath could also develop if a piece of a bone, a stick or any other foreign object has been lodged in the dog's mouth or gum for several days. But is it possible to fight dog halitosis the natural way? Read on!

Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is both antifungal and antibacterial, so it doesn't only boost your dog's immune and digestive systems but also fights bad breath. You can use coconut oil to brush your canine friend's teeth or add 1 tablespoon of the oil to its food. Coconut oil can effectively eliminate the toxins and plaque build-up that cause bad breath. The amount of coconut oil given depends on the dog's bodyweight. If your dog weighs less, give it less of the oil. Coconut oil will make your dog's teeth shiny and healthy and leave its breath smelling sweeter.

Try Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is an effective halitosis zapper with numerous health benefits. Lemon contains citrus that has undeniable antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. A small amount of lemon juice fights tartar and plaque and neutralises microbes that cause bad breath in dogs and also in humans. Get 1 cup of hot water, add a lemon peel, cover it and refrigerate it in a sealed container once it cools. Add 1 teaspoon of the refrigerated lemon juice to the pet's water bowl daily for a week.

Give Your Dog Probiotics

The bad bacteria in your dog's mouth and digestive system may not cause just plaque build-up but also bad breath. Use probiotics—beneficial bacteria—to outnumber the halitosis-causing bacteria and leave your dog healthier and with fresh breath. Probiotics consist of live yeasts and bacteria that stimulate the beneficial microorganisms to grow as normal flora in your dog's digestive system. Once you get the right probiotics, mix the content with water and give it to your dog orally using a syringe or sprinkle it on the dog's food. Choose probiotics specifically meant for dogs and follow the vet's instructions.

If the bad breath doesn't go away after trying this for a while, take your dog to a veterinary dentistry professional. If the vet finds your dog has infected or loose teeth, they will extract them. The vet may also perform a thorough dental cleaning, inject the dog or give it oral antibiotics or even apply antibiotic gels to the dog's infected gums.