What causes bad breath in my dog?

Video: How to Stop Bad Dog Breath

When bad breath dog issues check for these common causes. Poor dental care is a leading reason dogs have unpleasant breath or halitosis, however dietary and health issues are also common. Bad dog breath is apparent, even from a distance. Some people claim it smells like moldy vegetables, while others compare their dog`s breath to that of rotting meat. Sniff your dog`s ears to make sure the smell is really coming from the mouth and not the ears. Gum Disease The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that approximately 80 percent of all dogs develop gum disease by their third birthday. Gum disease is a leading cause of halitosis. From puppyhood, establish a daily brushing routine with your pet. By acclimating your pet to regular oral care at a young age, you eliminate stress during a teeth-cleaning regimen. This helps eliminate bad breath dog issues that occur from gum disease. The bad odor caused by gum disease links directly to bacteria. After a dog eats, bacteria in the mouth bond with food particles forming plaque. In a few days, plaque remaining on the teeth hardens turning into tartar. Tartar irritates the gums causing pockets where bacteria build up infecting the delicate skin and even rot teeth. The bad breath you smell is a direct result of the infection. If your dog has bad breath, inspect his/her mouth. Look for things like reddened, swollen gums- yellowish-brown tartar build up and broken or chipped teeth. These signs indicate the need to take your dog to the veterinarian for dental care. Dietary Causes Some dogs love to sneak into the cat litter box and eat cat feces. If you clean your cat`s litter box and notice it is too clean, your dog may be sneaking treats causing the bad breath. Put the litter box in an area where you dog cannot access and the bad breath problem should end. Certain dog foods cause bad breath. Canned fish is one ingredient that does tend to stink. Lamb is another. If you have eliminated gum disease as the cause behind bad breath dog issues, check the ingredients on your dog`s food. Foreign Objects Irritation also occurs when a foreign item is stuck in the mouth. Check to see that your dog`s fur is not curling into the mouth. Some breeds with curly hair get food caught in their fur that begins to rot and smells exactly like bad breath. Trimming the hair eliminates this bad breath dog problem. A piece of grass caught in the teeth leads to smelly breath. The same is true of a piece of fur, hair, bark, rock or wood. If a foreign particle lodges in or around the teeth, you`ll find it during an inspection of the mouth. Simply remove the item, rinse your pet`s mouth with an anti-bacterial rinse designed for dogs and the smelly breath will disappear. Possible Illnesses A number of illnesses lead to bad breath dog issues. If your dog`s breath smells like nail polish remover, see your vet. This is a key symptom of diabetes in dogs. Other illnesses that cause smelly breath include kidney failure and gastrointestinal disorders. Dogs with kidney disease usually have breath that smells like sour urine. If you suspect kidney disease, see your vet immediately. Finally, gastrointestinal disorders cause bad breath dog issues. If you have eliminated every other possible cause, visit your vet. Some gastrointestinal disorders clear up with a change in diet. Other issues, like stomach cancer, require immediate treatment.

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