Breed Advisor is reader supported! This page contains affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, may earn a small commission. Find out more here.
After careful analysis, our top recommended dog food for bad breath is Hill’s Prescription Diet Dental Care.
It’s specifically designed to reduce plaque and bacteria that cause bad breath. It also had good fiber content and controlled protein, which again, limit build ups and tackle the root of the problem.
Click here to find the best price today!
Before reaching for a diet to fix your dog’s smelly breath, it’s best to consult your vet first. Dental problems are the most common culprit of bad breath, but there are some other possibilities. Your dog’s teeth may also need a good clean by your vet first. Here are some things to look out for when choosing a dental food.
Increased fiber content helps to hold the kibble together for longer, especially if the fibers are specifically aligned to resist crumbling. This way when your dog takes a bite, the fibers gently scrape the tooth’s surface clean.
Kibble size is also key. The kibble should be large enough that it can cover the whole tooth before it breaks apart. If you have a large dog, look for a large kibble size.
Diets with slightly reduced protein can help by limiting one of the components of plaque. Of course, protein is important in the diet, so the protein that is present needs to be good quality. Calcium is another important nutrient, but slightly reduced calcium can decrease the amount of plaque that mineralises into tartar.
A dental diet can help to reduce plaque and tartar forming, but will not be able to prevent it completely, nor remove what has already developed. Speak with your vet about the best oral health routine for your pup.
All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Dental Care is prescription only diet designed to assist dogs in need of additional support for achieving optimal oral health. A diet considered to be among the best foods for dogs with bad breath, the kibble pieces contained in this diet form a unique shape to help clean each tooth to remove plaque build up.
There is a proprietary blend of fiber included in this formulation to help prevent plaque and stains from taking root on the dog’s teeth. This veterinary diet is renowned for helping stave off plaque while helping to eliminate unpleasant breath odor.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Dental Care includes S+OXSHIELD to ensure optimal nutrition for dogs. This powerhouse supplement also encourages excellent urinary health.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental is a prescription diet that addresses the problem of bad breath in dogs. This food has been specifically formulated to help deal with the three most common dental issues seen in dogs: ongoing bad breath, plaque and tartar accumulation, and periodontal disease.
Each piece of kibble has its own unique texture and shape to help scrub the teeth clean and prevent the accumulation of tartar. Included in this diet is a probiotic that assists with digestion and proper gut health.
One of the best foods for dogs with bad breath available for purchase today, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental is enriched with a proprietary blend of antioxidants to promote a strong and healthy immune system.
Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care is a premium food that owners can feel good about feeding their dogs. This high quality food formulation includes chicken as its main ingredient, an excellent protein source that is easy for dogs to digest. Each piece of kibble contains a unique texture to help scrub the teeth clean from excess plaque and tartar.
Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care contains many antioxidant-rich foods to support the development of a strong immune system. It is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
In addition to being one of the best foods for dogs with bad breath, Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care has also been designed to assist with achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight in dogs.
Purina Pro Plan Dental Health is a veterinarian-prescribed diet that helps dogs achieve and maintain excellent oral health. Considered to be one of the best foods for dogs with bad breath, this premium quality diet takes whole chicken and chicken meal as its primary ingredients. Chicken and chicken meal are lean source of protein that are easily digestible and rich in amino acids.
Each piece of kibble contained in Purina Pro Plan Dental Health has been crafted to help remove tartar and plaque build up, restoring better dental health in dogs suffering from chronic bad breath. Its formula is well-renowned for its excellent flavor profile, making it a food that dogs enjoy and look forward to each meal.
This diet has been carefully formulated through a collaborative effort between leading canine nutritionists and veterinary professionals. It has received the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s Seal of Acceptance as a diet proven to assist with tartar control in dogs.
Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight is a premium quality food that meets all the hallmarks dogs need from their diet to thrive. A diet that places an emphasis on achieving a healthy weight, Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight is full of ingredients that help to gently scrub the teeth and gums to remove any additional plaque to promote good dental health.
A diet that is rated among the best foods for dogs with bad breath, the main ingredient in Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight is whole chicken. This lean protein is reinforced by the addition of chicken meal, a powerful dense source of meat that helps provide all of the essential nutrients dogs need for health and wellness.
The kibble included in this food is crunchy and textured to provide a vital help in ongoing dental care. Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight is free from by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, common allergens for many dogs.
Dogs may suffer from bad breath for a number of different reasons. Sometimes, there is an underlying health condition resulting in breath that smells far less than minty fresh. Other times, it is a dental issue at play.
Prior to addressing any dietary change for dogs with bad breath, it is a good idea to visit a veterinarian for a thorough wellness examination and assessment of the dog’s teeth and gums. The best foods for dogs with bad breath typically have a crunchy outer coating that helps to remove any accumulated plaque or tartar to help reduce unpleasant smelling breath and promote better oral health.
Among the problems that could be plaguing dogs with recurring bad breath are:
Some dog breeds are naturally predisposed to having bad breath. For owners of these breeds, it is even more important to stay on top of proper oral care to prevent dental-related disease from occurring and to help keep bad breath at bay.
Because of their small mouths, toy breeds are particularly prone to tartar build up. Greyhounds also are known for dental issues and bad breath due to the narrowness of their muzzle.
Since wet foods easily stick to a dog’s mouth and gums, they are best avoided for dogs suffering from bad breath issues.
It can be challenging trying to determine the correct amount of the best food for bad breath to feed a dog. As a basic guideline, it is a good idea to use the suggested serving size printed on the bag as a starting point. The amounts can then be adjusted to reflect the dog’s weight and appetite until the correct portion is found.
Free feeding is not recommended as it can lead to weight gain.
Adult dogs should be fed a high quality diet that contains a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. By comparison, puppies require higher amounts of both of these items with 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat being ideal.
Dogs that suffer from bad breath often also have dental issues, and thus, a food that helps to remove tartar buildup is a great help in reducing any offensive mouth odors. Most typically, a food that takes a lean meat as its primary ingredient is the best choice in a dog food for bad breath. However, since dogs suffering from oral odors often need a food that helps provide a scrubbing action against the teeth, plant-based proteins or a heavy emphasis on fiber-rich carbohydrates is often desirable to reduce bad breath.
The best foods for dogs with bad breath avoid the use of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. These ingredients are often common allergens for dogs and add little nutritional value to a dog’s diet.
Healthy fats play an important role in any excellent quality diet to promote canine wellness. These are best derived from animal sources and include such ingredients as chicken fat and oily fish such as sardines, salmon, mackerel, anchovies, and herring. Their emphasis on omega 3 and 6 fatty acids encourages coat and skin health.
Carbohydrates included in any diet for dogs with bad breath should be easily digestible and rich in antioxidants. Poor digestion can also play a role in bad breath. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates and help form the basis of a premium quality diet for dogs.
Supplements can be a great help in ensuring excellent digestion, healthy skin, coat, and joints and can even help eliminate some of the causes that may be contributing to bad breath in dogs. Among the most beneficial ingredients to look for in the best food for dogs with bad breath are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
There are several natural ingredients owners can give to their dogs on their own or look for in a premium quality diet to help eliminate bad breath. These include:
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a dog food for bad breath:
Before you go, save up to 50% on your pet supplies…
SEE TODAY'S BEST DOGGY DEALS ON AMAZON.COM! No Thanks
