Why Does My Dog Have Bad Breath?
Dogs are not exactly known for fresh-smelling breaths, and you only need to spend a few minutes with your pup to know that. And while bad breath is common in canines, it can be a sign of a more serious problem that needs medical care.
Your dog may have a bad breath for rather innocent reasons, such as he or she ate fish, cat poop, or has something stuck in his or her mouth. However, other causes could be signs of severe hidden medical conditions. While older dogs, smaller dogs, and dogs with short noses are more likely to have smelly breaths, healthy dogs should not have lingering stinky breaths.
Common Reasons for Bad Dog Breath
Here is a look at the reasons why your dog has stinky breath:
Periodontal or Gum Disease
Gum disease is the biggest reason why dogs have bad breath. The stinky smell could be the smell of decaying teeth or gums, and it continues to get worse as your dog’s dental hygiene goes downhill.
As food particles accumulate in your pup’s mouth, the bacteria produce a stronger smell that will become more obvious to you. As oral hygiene worsens, your dog will be vulnerable to gum infections and dental cavities that make the mouth smell much worse.
Health Complications
Illnesses such as kidney disease, diabetes, and liver disease are linked to bad breath in dogs. This explains why there are medical examinations that use dog breath to spot the early start of these illnesses.
Diabetes in dogs can increase the sugar levels in a pup’s saliva, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Likewise, liver disease weakens the liver’s ability to flush out toxins like Sulphur, leaving your dog’s mouth smelling like a dead animal. Kidney disease causes urea levels in the body to rise, leaving your dog’s breath smelling like fish or urine.
Digestive Problems
When your dog has trouble digesting its food, he or she may be a bit gassy, and you may get a bad smell when he or she burps. In this case,
your dog’s breath may smell like meat, but not the rotting odor that comes from gum disease.
Mouth Tumors
Your dog may have a stale breath as a result of an oral tumor. As the tumors grow, bacteria occupy the dead parts left behind by the tumors. This buildup of bacteria is what causes the nasty smell.
What You Can Do About It
Here are things you can do to clear up your pup’s foul breath:
- Clean your dog’s teeth frequently.
- Give your pup lots of chew toys to increase the production of saliva to clear up bacteria and remove plaque.
- Often check your dog’s teeth for signs of cavities or gum swelling.
- Take your dog to the vet for routine dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning.
For more on why your dog has bad breath, visit Liberty Animal Clinic at our office in Hinesville, Georgia. You can call (912) 368-4080 today to book an appointment.
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