Big Bucks in Muzzling Dog Breath [CNN/Money] Chomp Inc.: Worst Dog Breath Contest [Chomp Inc.] Halitosis (Bad Breath) [PetPlace.com] How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth [PetPlace.com] Dental Products for Dogs [PetPlace.com] Do You Brush Fido's Teeth? [Netscape Community]

Enter the dog breath solution. If you are willing to spend the bucks, your dog can have sweet breath again even after he's enjoyed an afternoon outside getting into who knows what. Yes, your dog can also enjoy breath-freshening and teeth-whitening products just like you do. But prepare to open your wallet wide.

CNN/Money reports that pet owners spent a whopping $425 million last year on over-the-counter pet oral care products, a growth of about 35 percent since 2000. If opening your pet's mouth to scrub his teeth isn't something you relish, ingenious products are on pet store shelves just waiting for you, including breath strips, sprays, swabs, wipes and electric toothbrushes. It's gone way beyond the days of biscuits and rawhide chews. Fifty-six new products are expected hit pet stores this year alone.

Why the sudden uptick in doggie and kitty oral care? David Lummis, author of the Packaged Facts report "Market Trends: Oral Care Products for Pets," told CNN/Money, "People have always loved their pets. But after 9/11, that bond with the pets has become stronger. Marketers have picked up on it and are using it more aggressively to see new products." In addition, the rapid expansion of large pet supply chains, such as Petco and PETsMART, give what is essentially a specialized, niche market wide, mass appeal.

What really has pet marketers salivating is this: Combine aging baby boomers with their suddenly empty nests and what do you have? One very pampered pet. Your dog's bad breath is the next big business opportunity.