5 Common Causes Of Bad Dog Breath 

If your dog's breath clears a room and makes you instinctively turn your head away, you're definitely not alone in dealing with this issue.

 

Bad breath is one of the most common concerns dog owners have, and it often catches people off guard during close moments. But the smell itself usually isn't the real issue—it's simply a sign that something else may be happening inside your dog's mouth that deserves attention.


Here are five common reasons it happens, along with a simple way many owners are addressing it.

1. Plaque Build-Up

Plaque forms on your dog's teeth every single day as bacteria naturally accumulate after eating and drinking. Without regular chewing or some form of dental care, this build-up can gradually harden and become more difficult to manage over time. Left unchecked, it can contribute to ongoing oral hygiene issues that often show up as unpleasant breath.

2. Food Gets Stuck

Tiny bits of food can remain trapped around your dog's teeth and gums after meals, especially if they eat quickly or consume softer foods. These leftover particles create an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive and multiply. Since bacteria feed on these remnants, they can quickly lead to noticeable odours that linger long after your dog has finished eating.

3. Not Enough Time Spent Chewing

Dogs evolved to chew regularly as part of their natural behaviour, which helped keep their teeth cleaner in the wild. However, many modern treats & chews are designed to be consumed quickly, meaning dogs barely spend any time actually using their teeth. Without enough chewing activity, they miss out on the natural friction that helps maintain better oral hygiene.

Air Dried Beef Tendons (Paddywacks)

Single Ingredient

No Additives

No Preservatives

Grain Free

Made out of just 100% Aussie Beef Tendons. Long-lasting chews dogs love. Chewing helps clean teeth, reduce plaque, and keep dogs busy. It's like a very delicious toothbrush.

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Free AU Shipping on orders with Ferguson's Taster Bag or $150+ spend

4. Highly Processed Dental Treats That Don’t Work

Many dental treats on the market today contain long ingredient lists filled with additives, preservatives, and artificial components. Most are soft and resemble biscuits more than an appropriate dental chew.


More dog owners are becoming cautious about what they feed their pets. As a result, there's a growing shift toward simpler, single-ingredient chew alternatives that feel more natural and more effective at cleaning teeth.

Recommended

5/5

Tooth scraping goodness

"These beef tendons are a fantastic chew. They help scrape my dog's teeth, keeping them clean while she has a fun time crunching."

Laura Brown

Verified Buyer

Great baby sitters

"We give her these when she needs to stay home alone... no separation anxiety with these baby sitters! One will last her more than a week and she chews it every day! She often walks around the house with them in her mouth and had learned how to hold them with her paws. They are great because they don't have any strong smell too!"

Leanne w

Verified Buyer

5. Inconsistent Dental Habits

Brushing your dog's teeth once every few months is unlikely to make a meaningful difference in their overall oral health. Like most routines, consistency matters far more than occasional effort. Small habits done every week, such as feeding 3 beef tendon chews, is a simple routine that is far more realistic and effective for long-term results.

The Natural Solution More Owners Are Choosing

Many owners now include Beef Tendons as part of their dog's regular dental routine because they offer a simple and natural way to support better chewing habits. They're naturally firm, which encourages dogs to spend more time chewing and engaging their teeth. This extended chewing time can help create the kind of friction that supports a cleaner mouth.


They're also made from just one ingredient: 100% Australian Beef Tendon, with no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, and no fillers added. This simplicity appeals to owners who want to avoid unnecessary additives while still giving their dogs something enjoyable. Sometimes improving your dog's dental routine doesn't mean adding another complicated task—it simply means giving them something they already love doing.

We're Proudly Australian Owned & Operated 

We're not a faceless large corporation dog treat company. Ferguson's is an Australian owned and operated family business in Melbourne, Australia. Our warehouse is in Boxhill South in Victoria and every order is packed and shipped from here. Most orders are fulfilled within 1-2 business days, we have daily parcel pickups from Australia Post & our trusted couriers.


We treat our customers like how we would like to be treated, with friendly old fashioned customer service that aims to respond fast and find the best resolution to any issues with your order. Generous return & exchange policies if you find that your dog doesn't agree with any of our treats.


We are a dog treat brand that you can trust with your most loved members of your family.  

Air Dried Beef Tendons (Paddywacks)

$110.00
$52.99

STOP BUYING DENTAL STICKS! Given how soft they are, they're horrendously ineffective at cleaning teeth and are stuffed full of chemicals you can't pronounce. 

Beef tendons are long-lasting chews dogs love. Chewing helps clean teeth, reduce plaque, and keep dogs busy. It's like a very delicious toothbrush. Tendons are a natural way to support your dog's dental health while reducing boredom and destructive chewing.

Unit Pricing & Pieces per Bag: 

100g: 4 - 5 pieces ($3.25 / piece)
500g: 20 - 25 pieces ($1.40 / piece) 
1 KG: 40 - 50 pieces ($1.05 /piece) 

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Why should you choose
Ferguson's?

High Quality Dog Treats & Chews at the Best Prices serviced by friendly customer service. 

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Free AU shipping with any purchase containing a Taster Bag OR on any order of $150+

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If your dog doesn't agree with our treatos, we provide hassle free returns & exchanges. See our Returns policy. 

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We fulfill orders daily from our warehouse in Boxhill South, Victoria.