Hi
My labrador has really bad breath and I can't understand it because I clean her teeth 3 times a week with verbac toothpaste.  Please please can somebody recommend something I can give her to keep her breath smelling sweet?
I was also told by the pet sitter recently that she (our lab not the pet sitter) is a bit pongy.  I gave her a shower and an oatmeal shampoo but I still notice a smell.  I think it is just the smell of her fur but I also really notice her breath!.  I don't like to shampoo her any more than twice a year in any case but can anybody recommend anything to keep her smelling nice and for the breath as well please?
Thank you so much

Hi Van

What diet do you have her on and what do you give her to self clean her teeth ? Eg Marrow bones etc ?

Lucy
xx

Hey Lucy
How are you doing?
Well she is on Burns dry food (chicken and Rice) to be honest I don't give her anything to self clean her teeth, in the park she adores lying down and chewing on big sticks and I haven't given her marrow bones yet because I still don't know whether to give them cooked or raw.  I understand raw is better but I am still scared it will change her temperament.  She used to have nylabones to chew on but she lost interest in those pretty quickly and obviously I don't give her any rawhide at all.  I would love to find something safe and good for her to chew on.

I am fine Van long time no speak :D

Glad she has got her all clear from the op by the way

One thing I have noticed since I changed my two over to Barf is that their breath and coats dramatically improved pong wise :D

Their temperament has remanded the same ! Still as silly and soft as before :D

Lucy
xx

Just a thought but could there be a problem with her anal glands, as this could explain her general smell and her breath if she is licking her bottom because it is irritated? 

As for concerns that feeding raw might change her temperament, my two golden retrievers are on raw and have to say they are every bit as soppy as before! :D

Hi
Well she hasn't been licking her bottom at all, I did wonder about anal glands but she isn't presenting with any signs, no botty licking and no butt sliding etc
I just don't know why her breath smells.
Can anybody recommend me something good like a chew or a different toothpaste to help?
Thanks :-)

Don't rely on bum-scooting or frantic licking to be a sign of anal gland problems. Dogs can have problems there and the first thing you know about it can be a sudden abscess - I know this for a fact because it's exactly what happened to one of mine! No sign of a problem first thing, a red mark on her bottom by 11am and a burst abscess by 3pm. I'd certainly get her glands checked just to make sure. I'd also get her teeth checked out too.

echo that Jeangenie

Gum disease can creep up on you unexpectedly and the smell from an infected mouth is pretty bad.  It is definitely worth checking out if she doesnt usually suffer like this.

I don't have labs but I bath my dogs once a month as a routine and before shows as they come up.  Twice a year seems very little but then again I don't know labs.

>Twice a year seems very little but then again I don't know labs.

For a pet lab an annual bath, if necessary, should suffice. You can spot-wash any stinky bits where they've rolled in something vile. For active outdoor breeds like labs you don't want to destroy their natural waterproofing by using shampoo. :)

Another though Van is has she had her teeth checked lately as she may have a rotten tooth or a gum problem ? Just came to me as I am off to the dentist in abit :D

posted at the same time

Great minds and all that :D

I have said to Van via PM that I only very rarely wash my Labs with shampoo but hose them down normally :)

The only time they get a good wash is if they are really honking after rolling in fox poo or something as rancid :D

Hi Van
I'd think about her diet if she has bad breath and also have her teeth checked out as others have mentioned on here.

Even if you are not going to feed raw then it is still worth giving her a raw marrow bone to chew, which should help clean her teeth and remove plaque.  Also, raw chicken wings are good for cleaning their teeth too.

Maybe have her checked out at the vets for anal glands and to rule out any digestive problems!

Good luck and let us know how she gets on :)
Maria

PS:  Tea Tree shampoo helps keep their coat smelling sweet too :P :D

Thank you all
I am going to the vet this morning to drop of their card and gift so will mention it to them then.