Why Do Dachshunds Have Bad Breath?
One thing we have noticed as dachshund owners is they can be prone to getting very stinky breath!
Like many dog breeds, good dental hygiene is one of the first areas to look at if your dachshund has bad breath. This is especially important for dachshunds because their small mouths are quite prone to tartar and plaque build up, which can lead to inflamed gums and gum disease. If left untreated this can also lead to the dog losing their teeth or much more serious health issues such as heart problems and other infections.
How to clean a dachshund’s teeth
As a dachshund’s teeth can be prone to severe plaque build up and are often the most common reason for bad breath in dachshunds, it is advisable to clean your dog’s teeth regularly, in between any vet visits for teeth cleaning. Getting your dog used to this from puppy age is the best way to make the process easy and less stressful for the dog.
Choose a dog toothpaste
You need to make sure you use a toothpaste formulated for animals. We prefer the Virbac Enzymatic Toothpaste in Poultry flavour, as this was recommended by our vets and our dachshund loves the flavour, and will often even try to lick it off the toothbrush or his teeth mid brush! Enzymatic toothpaste contains enzymes that help reduce bad bacteria in your dog’s mouth, which can reduce plaque and tartar buildup and improve your dachshund’s bad breath.
Use a dog toothbrush
When you are getting your puppy used to the idea of having their teeth brushed, you can start by applying a small amount of toothpaste to your finger (with clean hands) and allowing the dog to lick it off your fingertip, and practise touching your dog’s teeth and gums with your finger to get them used to the process. Once they are happy with this, you can then move on to using a dog toothbrush.
We use a silicone finger brush similar to this finger brush on Amazon which is really easy to use, you pop it onto your finger and apply a small amount of toothpaste, and then gently massage the dog’s teeth and gums with the brush. You can also get dog toothbrushes in a more traditional toothbrush style with a handle, which can be easier for reaching teeth in the back of the mouth.
How often should you brush your dachshund’s teeth?
Once you have got your dachshund used to having their teeth brushed, you should make this part of their daily care activities. We always aim to brush our dachshund’s teeth once a day. If your dog is particularly prone to tartar build up even with daily brushing, you can get them professionally cleaned at the vets yearly, however this is not usually covered under many pet insurance policies.
Can my dachshund’s bad breath be a sign of something else?
Plaque and oral health is the biggest reason for bad breath in dachshunds, however there can be other issues at play here such as diet, gastrointestinal conditions or respiratory problems, so if unsure it’s always best to seek advice from a professional. Booking regular check ups with your vet to check your dachshund’s overall health, including their teeth, is generally recommended anyway as they should be able to spot any potential issues before they become a big problem.
