Reasons for Bad Breath in Dogs

While no dog's breath can be said to smell good by any means, there is a certain level of acceptable mouth odor that is common to dogs. That is due to some of their eating habits and their natural habit of cleaning various parts of their bodies with their tongues. However, once that acceptable level of odor has been surpassed and the smell becomes unusually strong or offensive, it may indicate a serious health problem.

  1. Causes

    • Stronger halitosis in dogs may be caused by tooth decay or gum disease. Just as with human teeth, plaque buildup can lead to gum disease in dogs, which will consequently lead to tooth decay and tooth loss. While in their natural state dogs will chew on something hard, like bones, to instinctively clean residue from their teeth and gums, they may not remove all of the residual food particles. Veterinarians recommend brushing a dog's teeth daily to help keep its teeth and gums in good health. There are special toothpastes available for dogs, as well as low-cost toothbrushes that fit over the owner's finger like a thimble.

    Other Causes

    • Besides dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, oral ulcers, and even missing or broken teeth, there can be causes of bad breath in dogs that are not associated with the mouth area. Disruptions in the gastro-intestinal tract can also lead to bad breath. That can include gastric ulcers, obstructions, or even cancerous growths in the stomach and or intestines. Diseases of the kidney or other internal organs can also contribute to bad breath in dogs.

    Symptoms of Serious Problems

    • A dog cannot speak, but it can let its owner know that something is wrong. If there are conditions in the mouth area that are causing the dog real problems (other than tooth problems), there are symptoms that will be very noticeable if the owner is paying attention to the dog. Changes in eating habits will be the first indication of trouble. If the dog begins to eat less amounts or less often, that might be a clue. If the dog approaches the food bowl but does not actually eat, that can also be an indication of a problem.

    Other Symptoms

    • Eating is important to a dog. It's often a ritual, and regular eating habits can be an indication of its general health. Yet if a dog actually picks up food in its mouth only to drop it back to the bowl, there might be a problem that is causing it discomfort. If a dog retreats from examination of the mouth or even shies away from normal petting or stroking in the muzzle area, it might be experiencing mouth pain. The dog will also begin to paw or scratch at the mouth or jowl region if there is discomfort there, or the owner might notice an increase in drooling as well.

    What to Do

    • For the less serious problems that lead to bad breath in dogs, specifically tooth and gum hygiene, owners can take the step to begin a regular routine of brushing the dog's teeth. Some dogs may not take to this right away, but a patient and persistent effort will eventually get the dog to cooperate. If the owner suspects more serious problems such as internal ulcers or cancerous growths, the advice and treatment of a qualified veterinarian would be the best approach to take.

    Considerations

    • Although any demonstrable change in the smell of a dog's breath warrants investigation, don't overlook the fact that your dog may just have eaten something that smells bad. Especially with dogs that get into garbage or roam through fields or wooded areas, you might find that the bad breath is simply a result of something putrid that the dog ate, such as a dead mouse or rabbit feces. Dogs like to eat many things that humans find disgusting, and that may very well be the cause of your dog's unbearable halitosis.