Dog Breath – Most dog owners are familiar with the unpleasant scent that lingers in the air after their canine companion has passed through. Known as “dog breath,” this odor is often caused by bacteria, yeast, and other pathogens that live in a dog’s mouth. Although some dogs have more severe cases of bad breath than others, it doesn’t mean they’re sick or there’s something wrong with them. In fact, many healthy dogs have bad breath from time to time due to certain factors such as diet, dental health and even age. That said, if your pup’s oral hygiene habits are less than ideal then you may want to consider brushing their teeth before bed every night or taking them for regular checkups at the vet office!
Healthy dogs have clean teeth and fresh breath.
The first thing to keep in mind is that healthy dogs have clean teeth and fresh breath. They will maintain their dental health by regularly chewing on bones, rawhide chews, or other hard rubber toys. Chewing helps to slow the formation of plaque and tartar on the teeth.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s breath but don’t want to give him human toothpaste or a regular toothbrush (after all, it’s not necessary), try using a special dog toothbrush with paste made specifically for dogs instead (and be sure to check what ingredients are included).
Poor oral hygiene.
Poor oral hygiene is probably the most common reason for bad breath in dogs. If you brush your dog’s teeth regularly, you can avoid this problem. If you don’t brush your dog’s teeth regularly, or if it has cavities that need to be treated by a veterinarian, then your pup might have some serious dental issues to deal with.
Don’t worry about being too rough when brushing your dog’s teeth. Just make sure that you focus on brushing all four sides of each tooth (the chewing side, down to where it meets the gum line), and be gentle enough so they don’t object or get nervous while they’re having their gums cleaned out with an oral care product like Greenies Pill Pockets Canine Treats For Dogs With Dental Care Advanced Oral Care Treats.
The food your dog eats.
The food your dog eats is a potential culprit for bad breath. If your dog is eating a high-protein diet, it’s possible that their breath will be worse than if they were eating something with a lower protein content.
For example, dogs who eat lots of meat and fish may have worse breath than dogs who don’t eat much meat or fish at all.
Similarly, if you feed your dog dry food as opposed to wet food (or raw food), there are several possibilities here: some owners report that their pets have better smelling breath after switching from dry/canned to wet/raw; other owners say the opposite has been true for them; still others report no difference at all.
Finally, it could be that certain nutrients such as fruits and vegetables can help improve the smell of your pup’s mouthpiece — although this hasn’t been measured in any scientific studies I’ve been able to find just yet!
Age
As with humans, dogs’ teeth can get less able to clean themselves as they age. This can lead to more tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, older dogs may lose their teeth due to a variety of reasons:
- They may fall out naturally as part of the aging process
- They may be lost due to an injury or accident (such as being hit by a car)
- The dog may have had surgery that removed some or all of its teeth
Medical condition
If your dog is experiencing bad breath, it’s important to rule out a medical condition as the cause. Some medical conditions can cause bad breath in dogs, including:
- Gingivitis: This is an inflammation of the gums that results in bleeding of the gums and bad breath.
- Periodontal disease: This is another type of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss and even infection in the nasal passages and lungs if left untreated.
- Dental infections (pus pockets): These are caused by bacteria entering through cracks or spaces around teeth and gums, leading to infection and bad breath as well as pain for your furry friend.
Oral cancer
Oral cancer is a serious problem, but it can be treated if caught early. According to the American Kennel Club, the risk factors for oral cancer are age and breed. Dogs over 5 years old have an increased chance of developing this disease, and dogs with heavy pigmentations are also at risk. In order to keep your dog healthy and happy—and breath smelling fresh—it’s important that you take note of symptoms such as bad breath or mouth pain.
Tooth decay and premature tooth loss
The bacteria that cause tooth decay can be found in your dog’s mouth even when there is no visible plaque. This means that your dog can have tooth decay without you even noticing it!
In addition to causing pain and infection, tooth decay can lead to the loss of teeth. If left untreated, this condition leads to a host of serious complications such as severe infections and inflammation of the jawbone or gums as well as oral cancer.
Bacteria, virus, or fungus in the mouth.
The presence of bacteria, virus or fungus in the mouth can cause bad breath. These germs can also lead to other health problems for your dog. If you notice that a foul smell is coming from your pet’s mouth, it could be an indication of any number of things going on inside their body.
Kidney failure.
Another common cause of bad breath is kidney failure. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and excreting them in urine. If your dog’s kidneys aren’t working properly, they may not be able to process all of the toxins that his body produces. These will build up in his bloodstream, causing his breath to smell foul. Other symptoms include lethargy, vomiting and loss of appetite.
Digestive problems.
- Digestive problems. If your dog’s breath smells like poop, that’s because he has a digestive problem. In most cases, this is due to diarrhea and/or vomiting; however, it can also be caused by bloating or constipation (which can lead to excessive farting).
- Lack of exercise. If you don’t give your dog enough exercise on a regular basis, his digestive system may not be able to function properly and the resulting gas could make him smell bad at times — especially after eating!
- Poor diet choices. Your dog’s diet should be rich in whole grains and lean meats such as chicken breasts or fish fillets instead of fatty foods like cheese pizza slices since these contain too much fat content for dogs (and humans!) alike…
Metabolic disorders
- Diabetes: A medical condition that occurs when the body can’t properly convert sugar (glucose) into energy.
- Liver disease: This is a health concern that often leads to elevated levels of ammonia in your dog’s blood—which can affect his/her breath. Symptoms include appetite loss, abdominal pain and vomiting.
- Kidney disease: If your dog has kidney disease, it will more likely have a sweet smell to its breath because one of the first signs of this illness is an increase in blood sugars (sugar).
- Thyroid disease: An underactive thyroid gland causes low body temperatures and tends to cause lethargy or weight gain in dogs; an overactive thyroid gland causes high heart rates and rapid breathing with an increased appetite for food or for water
Sometimes bad breath just means there’s something wrong with your pooch and you should get her checked out by a vet.
One of the most common causes of bad dog breath is also one of the most serious: liver disease. As a dog ages, his liver will begin to fail and he’ll develop signs like jaundice, weight loss, and vomiting bile. If you notice that your pup is starting to have trouble eating or drinking and he’s not acting like himself—especially if he’s been doing so well before—it’s time for a vet visit.
Another possibility is kidney disease. If your dog has had chronic symptoms like excessive thirst and urination for more than two weeks without any other explanation (such as heat exhaustion), it could be time for some bloodwork from a vet. Kidney disease can also cause frequent vomiting or diarrhea along with lethargy and loss of appetite, so watch out for these signs too!
Conclusion
Bad breath in dogs is not always something to worry about. In fact, sometimes it’s a sign of a health problem that needs to be addressed by an expert. If you notice your dog has bad breath and it isn’t improving after trying out some natural remedies or brushing their teeth with special toothpaste, take them to the vet as soon as possible!
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