Dog Breath: Why Does It Smell?
Who doesn’t love when your pup runs to you after a long day at the office and wants some love? It’s super sweet to get a kiss from your favorite furry friend but what is that smell?! Ugh, dog breath; it can be a mood killer. Too bad Fido can’t just pop a breath mint or swish some Listerine around in his mouth to make it smell better. While bad breath is just something of an inconvenience for us humans, bad breath in dogs can be a sign of something more hazardous to their health.
Bad breath is referred to as halitosis, which is defined as an offensive odor coming from the mouth. While your pup may have some ‘dog breath,’ if it seems a little stronger than usual there can be underlying issues happening inside your dog’s mouth and body. Bad oral hygiene and periodontal disease are the most common causes when it comes to bad breath in dogs. The buildup of plaque and tartar leads to the development of bacteria in your dog's mouth, resulting in smelly breath and not so great teeth. This buildup can push the gums away from the teeth, leaving new areas exposed to bacteria and causing cavities, infection, tissue destruction, tooth loss and pus forming. Yeah, we know - yuck!
Brushing your dog’s teeth on a regular basis is a great way to combat any oral hygiene problems. If your dog absolutely hates you poking around in the mouth, don’t worry, there are plenty of dental sticks and chews that can actually help clean teeth while your dog enjoys a nice chew. A fan favorite for this is Greenies Dental Treats; they have a green color to them and are shaped like a toothbrush! Purina also has a product called Dentalife ActivFresh treats that help fight bad breath and are free of artificial coloring and preservatives. Check out Pets Supplies Plus on the Lititz Pike for some of your dental needs.
Another cause of bad breath can stem from what your dog is eating - and we’re not talking about what food you’re feeding them. We’re talking about the ‘snacks’ your dog finds in the garbage or outside. Dogs can be known for eating things that are a little unsanitary to us humans, such as cat poop, their own poop, anything in the garbage and even animals that are decomposing. Your dog can have some foul smelling breath after eating any of these things, so an easy fix to this is to supervise your dog’s ‘snacking’ habits. Use this checklist to make sure you’re being proactive with your dog’s eating habits:
✔ Make sure the trash is secure.
✔ Supervise any outdoor time your dog has.
✔ Keep up with picking up poop.
✔ Move the litter box outside of your dog’s reach.
Some underlying issues connected with bad breath can be a cause to seek veterinary help. Diabetes, kidney disease and liver disease all have symptoms of different odors that can come from your dog’s mouth that pet owners would not think about right away when smelling. If your dog’s breath has a sweet or fruity smell to it, you should make an appointment with your vet because it is a symptom of diabetes.
Urine smelling breath can be linked to kidney disease in your dog, which warrants for a visit to the vet as soon as possible. Chronic kidney failure in dogs has been linked to advanced periodontal disease, which can occur when bad bacteria from oral health problems get into the dogs bloodstream and start attacking organs. Liver disease is another health issue that can be linked to bad breath in dogs. The liver breaks down toxins within the body and helps with digestion. If your dog is suffering from liver disease, they could have bad breath due to a decrease in their liver function. The bad breath stems from your dog’s liver not being able to break down toxins.
Being proactive and taking preventatives to avoid bad breath turning into a serious health risk is a great way for pet owners to help keep their pets healthy. Staying on top of dental health can also be one of the best preventatives because bad oral hygiene can affect more than just their teeth and gums. Check out 3 ways pet parents can prevent bad breath in their pets:
Brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis as this can reduce plaque and tartar build up and promote better oral hygiene.
Give your dog plenty of chew toys and dental treats so they can help themselves with taking care of their teeth naturally. Chewing can prevent plaque and tartar build up as well as relieve boredom, so it’s a win-win situation for all!
Be aware of what you are feeding your dog when it comes to quality and a balanced diet and don’t forget to watch the snacking. Providing plenty of exercise and taking them to the vet for regular check-ups can help prevent disorders and diabetes.
February is National Pet Dental Month, a time to not turn your nose up to your dog’s bad breath or their oral hygiene. Dental health is a huge part of your pet’s overall health and can often be overlooked by pet parents. Take part by learning more about how you can improve your dog’s dental health and be proactive in preventing medical risks. You can learn more from the American Veterinary Medical Association on how to help your pet overall with their health so they can have many years of playing fetch with you.
While we can’t help with dog breath, we can help with exercise and playtime! Exercise is such a big part of your dog’s overall health and we are here to let you know that daily walks are a great way to get their energy out while having fun. Let one of our paw-some dog walkers brave the cold while you’re at the office or at your in-home office. Contact us today to see how we can customize a plan for all of your pet care needs.
Sources
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/get-rid-of-stinky-dog-breath/