Why Does My dog’s Breath Smell? 

Introduction

Our four-legged canine friends can be our greatest companions if we understand exactly how to go about some of the conditions that make their and our lives unbearable. One such condition is bad breath. Yes, you heard it right; dogs too have bad breath just like some of us. The question that many pet owners often ask themselves is, why does my dog’s breath smell? Well, join me as I introduce you to some of the possible causes of bad breath in dogs.

Poor oral health

If you do not invest in proper oral hygiene for your canine, chances are he will develop bad breath. This is because poor dental hygiene often leads to tartar build up, plaque and gum disease, conditions that are all known to enhance bad breath in dogs.

What do you feed your dog?

Diet is yet another notorious cause for bad breath in dogs. Most of the time, it all comes down to the dog itself. There are those dogs with an insatiable appetite for trash food. Other dogs may also like to feed on other pet’s foods, and by extension the kitchen sink. While some of these habits may not be within our control, we can still do all in our power to ensure we do not feed our dogs foods that makes them susceptible to bad breath. If at all possible, canned or table foods should be avoided like the plague.

Underlying medical conditions

Bad breath in dogs could also be caused by an underlying medical condition such as diabetes or kidney disease. Even before you consult your vet, you can already tell the exact medical condition causing your dog’s breath to smell.

As a general rule, an unusually sweet or fruity breath could indicate diabetes, especially if this kind of breath is accompanied by other known symptoms of diabetes such as drinking and urinating more frequent than usual.

Additionally, if the foul breath is due to kidney disease, then you are likely to notice a urine smell in your dog’s breath.

Liver complications are yet another of the notorious medical conditions that may cause bad breath in your canine. How do you determine this cause? Always look out for an unusually foul odor that is accompanied by loss of appetite, vomiting or yellow-tinged corneas or gums.

Exercise behavior

This cause of bad breath in dogs comes last because it is not as common as the other causes. It is generally observed that dogs that are more active are less likely to suffer from bad breath. This is because the increased panting makes it possible for the bacteria causing bad breath to thrive, as the oxygen absorbed into the mouth of the dogs causes oxidation of these bacteria.

What are your options?

If bad breath in your dog is caused by something you can handle, then home-based remedies are recommended. However, if the cause is due to an underlying problem, then a visit to your vet would do you so much justice. Always remember that if not attended to with the urgency it deserves, bad breath in dogs will surely result into a full-blown life-threatening health problem.

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