Your dog eating poop and then expecting you to clean up the mess is pretty much every pet parent’s worst nightmare. Did yours come true? If your dog ate poop here’s how to do it as quickly and ick-free as possible!
The best thing to do when cleaning your dog’s mouth is not to wait. As soon as you notice it, grab your supplies and get to work. You can use dog toothpaste or mouthwash to brush his teeth (Never utilize human toothpaste). You can also consider using a disposable cloth to wipe things down manually or a dog toothbrush. You can even now get dental chews just for this stinky problem!
How do you disinfect a dog’s mouth?
Many people make the mistake of reaching for standard human products when looking at effectively cleaning their dog’s mouth. You must use dog-safe products to disinfect their mouth rather than humans ones. Effectively disinfecting their mouth focuses on a few details:
- Removing all visible poop
- Sanitizing and cleaning
- Removing the odor
Removing the visible part is the worst part, to be honest about it. It’s gross to those with even the strongest stomachs. Do this first so that you can both get it over with. Also, remove the particles before they can cause an infection, or cake themselves in between your dog’s teeth, etc.
You can use a simple microfiber cloth or something like dental wipes, which can help make it easier. Focus on whatever is best for you and your dog. If you use a microfiber cloth, make sure that it’s clean.
When sanitizing and cleaning, you’ll want to use dog-safe toothpaste or a dog-safe mouthwash. This will both clean and sanitize at the same time. This stage is essential to wipe out any and all bacteria that can create an infection in your dog’s mouth! You can do this stage several times if necessary.
Removing the odor is often the most challenging part of this, and that’s why professional products are recommended. There are some at-home remedies that you can consider, which we’ll go over, but professional products tend to offer the fastest results! The faster you use those products, the faster the odor will be gone!
How do I get the poop smell out of my dog’s mouth?
The smell can linger even after you’ve cleaned your dog’s mouth. The best way to address the smell is to do everything in your power to fill your dog’s mouth with other tastes!
For example, get him running around and playing so that he’ll drink more water. Add some dog-safe gravy to his meal for extra aroma. Need more specific help? Consider some at-home tricks below that are specifically designed for fresh breath.
Can I spray Listerine in my dog’s mouth?
As mentioned, many will automatically buy Listerine for their dog to use. Listerine and other human-designed products are very dangerous for dogs and should not be used! Ensure that you have dog-safe products in your home or that you are ready to skip straight to the alternatives!
Can dogs get sick from eating dog poop?
Yes, dogs can get sick from eating dog poop. This is why effective and timely cleaning of their mouth is so important! Some bacterial infections and illnesses can make your dog sick enough to require a vet visit and some antibiotics and other medication to treat it. Don’t let the problem sit — clean it as soon as possible!
If they eat dog poop that has been sitting for a while, this is especially important since it can contain parasites and bugs!
Why is my dog obsessed with eating poop?
Dogs have to eat so many disgusting things, and poop is a very common thing, unfortunately. It could be their own poop or poop left by another dog. The main reasons behind this gross behavior include:
- They’re curious
- It tastes good
- It’s a neat texture
- They’re hungry
- They’re malnourished
- They’re bored
- They know it’ll get your attention
Feeling overwhelmed on what to do about it? We’ll go over more on how to stop this behavior below!
What dog products are best for cleaning my dog’s mouth?
In this section, we’re talking about commercial products for treating a doo-doo problem in your dog’s mouth! Your best three options for effective cleaning include:
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Mouthwash
- Direct spray
Toothpaste and toothbrush
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Since dental hygiene should be a regular part of your pet care anyway, you can just add in an extra thorough cleaning job after you spot the problem.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash for dogs is a bit different than mouthwash for humans. Since dogs can gargle and spit, you’ll add this mouth wash to their water bowl. It’s tasteless and will be lapped up and swirled around in your dog’s mouth as they drink their water. These are great options for those that want to be as hands-off as possible!
Direct spray
If you love the mouthwash idea but are impatient, you can consider a spray that you would spray directly into your dog’s mouth. This can be the fastest choice, but you still need to have brushed or cleaned your dog’s mouth beforehand!
How can I clean my dog’s mouth naturally?
If you don’t have dog-safe products, or you want to try a natural product instead, there are several options to choose from. These include:
- Baking soda and coconut oil
- Parsley or cilantro
- Apple cider vinegar
- Teething rings
Baking soda and coconut oil
Mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil with a pinch of baking soda together. Mix thoroughly and then apply to their teeth as a toothpaste. This will freshen their breath, kill bacteria, and do a great job at cleaning!
Parsley or cilantro
Give your dog parsley or cilantro to chew on in tiny amounts and shreds. This is going to mask the scent of the poop and also help work out any loose particles that might be hiding in their mouth,
Apple cider vinegar
Mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to 2 cups of water and allow your dog to drink it. This helps cut the scent quickly and will clean your dog’s mouth since vinegar kills many bacteria!
Teething rings
Teething rings or worry toys are great for dogs to clean their teeth and freshen their breath. These encourage your dog to chew on them, which will get them to produce thick saliva, which will clean their teeth and freshen their breath.
How can I clean my dog’s teeth without brushing?
Brushing your dog’s teeth is hard enough, but brushing their poop-caked teeth is worse. If you just can’t stomach it, we get it! You’ll want to wipe their mouth as thoroughly as possible with a microfiber cloth or dental wipes. After that, use the oral spray or the mouthwash to help do the rest!
Do carrots clean dogs’ teeth?
Thre is a story online that giving your dog raw and chopped carrots can help clean your dog’s teeth and freshen their breath. This is true! Chomping on carrots helps dislodge particles and helps promote saliva, and absorbs the odor of the poop!
How long does it take for a dog’s mouth to be clean?
There’s no set amount of time! You’ll want to clean and disinfect at least twice. Generally, when the odor is gone, the threat of poop’s bacterial infections will be gone, too. Try to add in a few cleaning sessions just to be safe!
How to get my dog to stop eating poop?
So now that you have solved the poop stink the hard way, how do you make sure that it never happens again?! Here are some steps to help you keep your dog’s mouth as far away from poop as possible!
- Feed them a balanced diet
- Keep them entertained
- Don’t reinforce the behavior
Feed them a balanced diet
Dogs can eat poop because they try to accommodate for something missing in their diet. Whether or not it is the case, having a vet look at what they usually eat can help you spot an issue and fit it. Once the issue is fixed, you’ll find that your dog will not need to look for new nutrients!
Keep them entertained
A curious and bored dog will eat poop. If you give them plenty of play time, take them for walks and generally keep them engaged, this behavior should stop. This is great for many other reasons, too, since a bored dog can easily go after your shoes!
Don’t reinforce the behavior
Many dogs will eat poop because you react to it. They know it’ll get your attention, including both in the moment and after when you are cleaning them. They are doing it o that you can have more time together, essentially. If you reinforce that, it’ll keep happening.
Give them plenty of time and attention throughout the day, and then keep any cleaning, and your attention to him, to an absolute minimum. If it doesn’t get your dog the reaction they want, they’ll stop doing it quickly. This is especially important if you reward other activities like chasing a ball.
How to prevent my dog from eating poop?
If you’re fortunate not to have had this problem yet and you want to make sure that you keep it that way, here are some suggestions to help you out.
- Keep your dog on a leash
- Keep an eye on your dog
- Prioritize obedience lessons
Keep your dog on a leash
When you are out in a park or on a walk, always keep your dog on a leash. You never know when there will be dog poop around you, so having your dog under your control is a good idea. While they can run free in your yard or a dog park, leashes are recommended for poop-related and other reasons elsewhere.
Keep an eye on your dog
When your dog is free to run in your yard or the dog park, keep an eye on where they’re going and what they’re doing. Dogs will sniff and explore poop before they eat it. If you spot them focusing on something you can’t see, call them back, or get up to investigate.
Prioritize obedience lessons
A well-trained dog will not eat poop if you tell him “no” or “drop it” or “stop,” etc. Make sure that you keep your dog well-trained and obedient to your commands. This also helps them bond with you since they want nothing more than to make you happy.
In short
Clean your dog’s mouth as soon as you notice therCleaning your dog’s mouth is a gross chore, especially after he’s eaten poop. However, the sooner you do it and the more thorough you are, the better the outcome will be.
You can do this using various dog-safe dental products or use at-home remedies to help when you are in a pinch with only your pantry to guide you. Clean quickly and thoroughly, as poop can cause infections and illnesses! Make sure you learn how to stop this behavior in the future!
Know someone dealing with this gross issue? Share this with them and save a panic attack!
