Dog lovers rejoice: when Fido, Spot or Fluffy are happy to see you, you can get close enough for licking without getting knocked back by your pet’s breath and, at the same time, ensure that your pet stays healthy.

Here’s how you can fight Fido’s bad breath with dental treats.

Doggy breath and oral health: the full story

Just like with humans, your dog’s oral health can reveal underlying disease, especially for dogs aged three years and up.

Does your dog suffer from advanced gum disease? It is the number one canine disease, and it’s more than just uncomfortable—it could be a sign of an underlying serious health problem.

The fallout from advanced gum disease might include such painful conditions as tooth decay, leading your pet to forego eating completely. That's because advanced gum disease causes bacteria to form in your dog’s gums. The results? Doggy teeth can become loose or fall out. Worse, that bacteria can enter your pet’s bloodstream and lead to organ failure and diabetes.

Here are some advanced gum disease signs:

• Excessive mouth odor
• Excessive drooling
• Pawing at the mouth
• Irritated or receding gums
• Reduced eating

Dental treats for your dog that improve oral health

Just like with humans, prevention is the best way to avoid bad breath and the conditions that stem from advanced gum disease.

The good news: chew toys and doggy treats help stem these problems between visits to the vet.

Dry kibble: Dry kibble beats out wet food as a method for maintaining your dog’s oral health, but research shows that dry kibble alone is not the whole solution to preventing doggy gum disease.

Chew toys: Dogs love to chew toys so make sure your pet has one and uses it every day. After all, you brush your own teeth daily. Bone-shaped chew toys help scrape away bacteria-causing tartar while massaging Fido’s gums to keep them strong. Choose chew toys that are made of rubber, nylon chew, rawhide or a knucklebone. Look for those that come with the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s seal to be sure that the one you are giving to your dog will help with oral health.

Raw bones: Raw bones (avoid cooked ones) are fun treats for dogs and help maintain oral health. The edible type of raw bones provide teeth-strengthening calcium, phosphorus and other minerals. The play type of raw bones also help prevent gum disease.

Veterinary Oral Health Council recommendations: The VOHC offers a seal of approval for products that help maintain your pet’s oral health. Their list is comprehensive—it includes dog foods, chew treats, sprays and anti-plaque gels. You can access their online list of approved products here, or download a PDF of the list here. 

Vets recommend that you brush your dog’s teeth regularly and visit your vet once a year for dental checkups.

But remember that giving your dog these treats not only will help keep gum disease at bay. It also will prevent your vet bills from skyrocketing due to intensive treatments for the diseases caused by gum problems.