PetLabCo Logo
  1. Home/
  2. Dog/
  3. Health & Wellness/
  4. How To Help Freshen Dog Breath at Home

How To Help Freshen Dog Breath at Home

Find out how to help freshen dog breath fast at home – from brushing your dog’s teeth to using a dental hygiene product for fresh breath.

8 min read·Updated: Nov 19, 2025
How To Help Freshen Dog Breath at Home

How To Help Freshen Dog Breath Fast

  • Daily toothbrushing with dog-friendly toothpaste will help freshen your dog’s breath and keep it from smelling bad.
  • Providing a healthy, balanced diet is also a good way to support fresher dog breath, while ensuring they receive the right nutrition.
  • Keeping the trash sealed and out of reach will also help keep your dog’s breath fresh and ensure they don’t eat anything stinky and unsuitable.
  • Ensuring you keep up with a daily dental hygiene routine that includes a dental hygiene supplement can also contribute to noticeably fresher breath over time.

Fresher Dog Breath: What’s The Fastest At-Home Solution?

Wondering how to help freshen dog breath at home? If only we could snap our fingers and fix dog breath for good! But in reality, supporting consistently fresh dog breath takes regular, consistent care.

If you’re dealing with stinky dog breath and want to help support their oral freshness, here are some daily habits that may help support fresher dog breath:

  • Daily brushing with a canine-suitable toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Regular professional doggy dental cleanings with your veterinarian
  • Consistent oral support through a dental supplement like ProBright® Advanced
  • Monitoring what your dog eats (and avoiding trash or waste scavenging!)

Easy Ways To Help Freshen Dog Breath at Home

There’s no single magic fix for fresh dog breath — regular brushing will always be the gold standard in at-home dog dental support. But when you combine toothbrushing with simple, consistent habits that help support your dog’s dental health, you can really elevate their routine and keep those kisses fresher for longer.

Daily Toothbrushing: The Gold Standard for Dog Dental Hygiene

Brushing your dog’s teeth daily using a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste remains the gold standard for helping maintain oral hygiene and may help reduce the buildup of dirt and debris that can contribute to unpleasant breath.

While it can be a challenge for some pet parents, incorporating this simple step into your pup’s routine can support clean teeth and freshen dog breath over time, especially when paired with regular veterinary dental checkups.

Add a Daily Dog Dental Supplement

Adding a dental health powder or daily supplement may also help support long-term oral freshness. When used consistently, some pet parents notice positive changes within a few days — though timelines can vary. It may take several weeks to experience the full benefits.

PetLabCo. ProBright® Advanced, for example, is formulated to help freshen dog breath by targeting the oral environment and supporting clean teeth and gums. This powder-based dental supplement for dogs helps support cleaner teeth and fresher breath — especially when used as part of a broader dental care routine including brushing and veterinary checkups.

A clinical study found that daily use of ProBright Advanced reduced one of the key bad breath-causing compounds by 40% in 28 days.

ProBright Advanced is formulated with a blend of evidence-backed ingredients that help target tartar build-up, support a healthy oral environment, and promote normal periodontal health.

What’s Inside ProBright® Advanced & How It Works

Each scoop of ProBright® Advanced contains:

  • Brown algae (Ascophyllum nodosum) – A beneficial seaweed that may help support the breakdown of tartar and promote oral hygiene
  • Sodium hexametaphosphate – A mineral compound that targets biofilm and tartar accumulation
  • Probiotic blend (Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) – Supports a healthy oral bacterial balance
  • Botanical extracts such as rosemary and decaffeinated green tea – Provide antioxidant support and help maintain a fresher oral environment
  • Dog-friendly flavor – With hydrolyzed chicken liver to help enhance palatability

How to Use ProBright Advanced for Fresher Dog Breath

Putting PetLab Co. dog dental powder on dog food

Simply use the included scoop to measure the correct amount once per day and add to your dog’s bowl. It’s really that simple! Most dogs find ProBright Advanced

Other important steps — like keeping your trash sealed, preventing access to feces, and supervising outdoor snacking habits — can help reduce sources of foul-smelling compounds.

Additional Ways To Freshen Dog Breath At Home

Fresher dog breath isn’t just about dental products—it can also be supported through a few simple, everyday habits. While brushing and supplementing are important parts of your pup’s oral routine, the following at-home practices can further contribute to a cleaner, healthier-smelling mouth.

1. Offer a Balanced, High-Quality Diet

Feeding your dog a nutritionally balanced diet plays a key role in supporting overall health, which can include their oral environment. A diet made with quality ingredients, suited to your dog’s age, size, and breed, may help support digestive function and reduce sources of unpleasant odor. Consistency and portion control also matter—sudden changes or overfeeding can sometimes affect digestion, which may be linked to oral odor.

2. Keep Trash Sealed and Out of Reach

Dogs are naturally curious and often tempted by household garbage, especially food scraps. Consuming spoiled or inappropriate items from the trash can lead to digestive upset or unwanted odors. To help maintain fresher dog breath, keep all trash bins sealed with secure lids and out of your dog’s reach. This simple precaution helps reduce the chance of your pup ingesting anything that could negatively impact their gut—and breath.

3. Regularly Wash Food and Water Bowls

Food residue and saliva can build up on bowls over time, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. By washing your dog’s food and water bowls daily with warm, soapy water, you can help maintain a cleaner eating environment and avoid unpleasant smells that might contribute to oral odor. Stainless steel bowls are often a good choice, as they’re durable and easier to keep clean.

4. Provide Chew Toys That Encourage Mechanical Cleaning

While not a replacement for brushing or dental products, appropriately chosen chew toys may offer some mechanical cleaning action. The act of chewing can help reduce the presence of soft debris and stimulate the gums. Be sure to choose size-appropriate, vet-safe chew toys made from approved materials, and always supervise your dog during play.

5. Schedule Regular Veterinary Checkups

Even with the best home routine, some issues affecting breath may stem from deeper health concerns. That’s why regular veterinary visits are essential. Your vet can help monitor your dog’s overall well-being and provide professional insights on oral health. Catching issues early may support long-term freshness and comfort for your pup.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why does my dog have bad breath even though I brush their teeth?

Even with regular brushing, other factors like diet, hydration, and overall digestive health can influence your dog’s breath. Environmental habits—like getting into the trash or not washing food bowls regularly—can also contribute to less-than-fresh breath. Supporting oral hygiene involves a full routine, not just brushing.

Q: Can my dog’s food affect their breath?

Yes, what your dog eats can play a role in how their breath smells. A balanced, high-quality diet that meets their nutritional needs may help support healthy digestion and reduce potential sources of odor. Be mindful of sudden diet changes or low-quality ingredients that might impact their overall wellness.

Q: How often should I clean my dog’s food and water bowls?

It’s best to wash your dog’s bowls daily using warm, soapy water. Regular cleaning helps prevent buildup of bacteria and food residue that could contribute to odor or affect your dog’s oral environment.

Q: Are chew toys helpful for freshening my dog’s breath?

Chew toys can help by offering mechanical cleaning action through chewing, which may reduce soft debris and support gum health. They’re a great addition to your dog’s daily routine—but should be used alongside, not instead of, other hygiene practices.

Q: What else can I do at home to help with my dog’s breath?

Keeping trash bins sealed and out of reach, offering a complete and balanced diet, providing clean water, and maintaining a consistent wellness routine can all help support fresher breath. And of course, regular veterinary checkups are key for long-term health.

Final Thoughts: Simple Ways To Help Freshen Dog Breath Fast

There’s no single way to freshen dog breath fast. The best way to support your dog’s overall mouth health and cleanliness is to be consistent with your daily dental care routine, and to attend regular dental cleanings from your veterinarian.

Small steps, consistently taken, can go a long way toward supporting your dog’s overall mouth health — and make their kisses a little more pleasant, too. Combine daily brushing, good nutrition, regular veterinary care, and a supportive supplement like ProBright® Advanced, so that you can help your pup maintain fresher breath and better oral hygiene.

*Results and timelines vary. Supplements should be used alongside, not instead of, regular veterinary care and brushing.

Related Reads: Dog Health & Daily Care Guides
Dog Nutrition & Care GuidesDog Health: Signs & SymptomsDaily Supplements: Support for Your Dog’s Wellbeing
Dog Daily Care Guide – Printable Routine Chart5 Health Issues Your Dog Faces Each YearTop-Rated Probiotics for Dogs
The Ultimate Dog Dental Care GuideHealthy Vs. Unhealthy Dog PawsSeasonal Allergy Supplements for Dogs
7 Ways To Support Your Dog’s Immune SystemDog Gut Health: 5 Reasons Why It MattersNatural Probiotics (& Prebiotics) for Dogs
How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need?Healthy Dog Teeth: What’s NormalProbiotic Chews For Dogs – A Simple Hack To Boost The Benefits
Borage Oil For Dogs: Can It Support Skin & Immune Health?Dog Gum Color Chart: Healthy Vs. UnhealthyCan Probiotic Chews Support Dog Gut Health?
Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin?How To Check if Your Dog’s Poop is HealthyPetLab Co. Joint Care Chew Reviews: What Customers Think
Charly ChowC
Written by

Charly Chow

Charly Chow is a pet-industry writer with a passion for canine mental health and wellbeing. When she’s not collaborating with PetLab Co's expert vets on helpful articles for pup pawrents, Charly can be found reading, exploring antiques shops, or cuddling up with Timo and Oreo, her Maltese and Maltipoo fur babies.

Published by