Bad breath in dogs is a very common problem. On many occasions, we make the mistake of considering that it is something normal and we do not take any type of measure to reduce it. However, halitosis in dogs is not only unpleasant, it is often related to certain oral diseases
So what do I do if my dog's breath smells? If we have detected that our furry's mouth smells bad, it is very important to identify its cause and apply treatment as soon as possible. For this reason, in this article on our site we have brought together the main causes of bad breath in dogs, the associated symptoms and their treatment.
Why does my dog have bad breath?
Dogs are in constant contact with the ground and everything on it. For this and other reasons, occasional bad breath is normal However, when halitosis in dogs appears chronically, it is usually due to certain oral diseases and other reasons most unexpected.
These are the possible causes of bad breath in dogs:
- Stinky food: Some dogs have a habit of eating everything they find on the floor. Ingesting something smelly can cause bad breath in dogs. A good example is those furry ones that practice coprophagia, that is, they eat feces.
- Trauma: due to a fall or fight, many dogs suffer broken teeth, as well as injuries to the gums or mouth. These are an open door for the entry of microorganisms, whose action can cause bad odors.
- Periodontitis: is the main cause of bad breath in dogs. It is inflammation of the structures that hold the teeth to the jaw. This inflammation is due to an infection by bacteria, which produce a series of malodorous compounds.
- Lack of dental hygiene: not brushing your dog's teeth routinely is another of the main causes of bad breath, as well as of oral diseases such as the aforementioned periodontitis. This is because a lack of hygiene encourages the accumulation of tartar and bacteria.
- Other diseases: Some diseases that affect other organs can cause bad breath in dogs. This is the case of some gastrointestinal, respiratory or metabolic pathologies. The smell is produced inside the body but comes out through the mouth.
Periodontitis in dogs
As we anticipated, periodontal disease in dogs is the main cause of halitosis. Before it occurs, a series of processes take place that we must prevent.
First of all, the bacteria accumulate on the teeth of dogs, forming the well-known plaques. Subsequently, the minerals present in the saliva are incorporated. This is how tartar is formed. If the bacteria continue to spread, they can eventually infect the gums, causing a disease known as gingivitis. That's when bacteria begin to invade the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.
Finally, other more dangerous bacteria appear: the gram-negative anaerobes. These bacteria ferment the food that accumulates in the infected area, as well as some compounds present in the saliva. As a result, a series of sulfur substances are produced that cause the characteristic breath in dogs with a fishy odor or sour milk.
Periodontitis causes dogs a lot of pain and is the main cause of their teeth falling out. Therefore, it is essential to act before it occurs. However, this is not the only consequence of this disease and other pathologies that also cause bad breath. The bacteria that cause these pathologies can reach the bloodstream and develop other damage such as kidney or heart failure, among others. For this reason, going to the vet in case of detecting halitosis in the dog is so important.
Causes of bad breath in puppies
In puppies, periodontitis is very rare, as not enough time has passed for it to occur. However, they often have some halitosis. It is mainly due to the outflow of adult teeth.
Teething in puppies is very painful. To try to relieve themselves, they have the need to bite everything in their path. In this process they can injure the gums and have infections that could cause halitosis.
Other causes of bad breath in puppies are faeces ingestion and some non-oral diseases.
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Symptoms of bad breath in dogs
Now that we know the main causes of bad breath in dogs, you may be wondering how to identify if it is a normal odor or if there really is a problem. To do this, we must pay attention to both the type of odor and other symptoms that may appear.
If your dog's halitosis occurs occasionally, it may be eating something smelly. In addition, there are other types of odors that we can consider normal. Like us, dogs tend to have bad breath in the morning This is because very little saliva is produced during the night. As a result, the normal bacteria in the mouth are more active and produce a bad odour.
The latter also occurs in older dogs, in which the amount of saliva decreases. As a consequence, they are more prone to periodontitis and other oral diseases. To identify them, we must attend to another series of symptoms that may appear, such as:
- Very intense smell: a very strong smell indicates pathologies in the mouth. Fishy breath in dogs is very characteristic of periodontitis.
- Excessive salivation: When an infection occurs in the mouth, the dog's body begins to produce more saliva.
- Paws on snout: Dogs put their paws on their snout to try to relieve tooth and gum pain.
- Loss of appetite: Many dogs can stop eating if their mouths are very sore.
- Tartar: The accumulation of bacterial plaque can also give off an unpleasant odour, especially when the level of tartar is very high.
- Inflammation and redness of the gums: precisely due to the accumulation of tartar, the gums may appear inflamed and red. This can also result in difficulty chewing due to pain, which can lead to an apparent loss of appetite.
- Loss of teeth: As in the previous case, a severe accumulation of bacterial plaque can lead to the loss of teeth.
Because of all of the above, inspecting a dog's mouth is often critical to identifying if there is a he alth problem in the cavity.
How to eliminate bad breath in dogs?
To eliminate bad breath in dogs, it is highly recommended Go to a veterinarian In this way, a professional will be able to diagnose our dog and choose the best treatment for him. If it is periodontitis, it is probably necessary to carry out a thorough oral cleaning.
After the veterinary treatment, we must maintain dental cleaning at home. For this, as we will see now, there are a large number of products that are easy to apply.
Products for bad breath in dogs
A number of products available at pet stores and veterinary clinics can be used to treat bad breath in dogs. Some of them are:
- Dental Sticks: the dog should take one a day. They contain compounds that eliminate bacteria and bad odors. In addition, the act of chewing removes plaque from the teeth and increases saliva secretion.
- Toothpaste: apply daily with the help of a toothbrush. They help reduce the number of bacteria and contain certain products that reduce bad odor.
- Geles: apply once a week to reduce bacterial plaque. They usually contain antimicrobial products, such as chlorhexidine.
- Spray toothpastes: not all dogs tolerate regular brushing by their humans, which is why we also find in the market liquid toothpastes that also combat the accumulation of bacterial plaque and, therefore, eliminate bad breath in dogs. These toothpastes can be sprayed directly on the animal's teeth without the need to rinse it afterwards.
- Mouthwashes: in the same way that we have mouthwashes to improve breath and help clean teeth, we find these products designed specifically for dogs and cats. These are solutions for daily use that can be mixed with water to facilitate their administration.
- Algae: Certain algae, such as Ascophyllum nodosum, have been shown to help reduce bad breath in dogs by up to 60% Therefore, we currently find several products that include them in their formulation. Some of these products are marketed in the form of dietary supplements that are mixed with the animal's usual food, while others are found in the form of snacks or prizes.
- Pills: As in humans, there are pills for bad breath in dogs. However, before using them we should consult our veterinarian.
All of these products are just a supplement to professional dental care to be performed by a veterinarian. In addition, before choosing those that we are going to use, it is advisable to ask for the advice of a professional.
On the other hand, it should be noted that a adequate diet is also essential to guarantee good oral he alth. To combat the accumulation of tartar and, therefore, eliminate bad breath in dogs, dry food is recommended. Likewise, if we follow a natural and homemade diet, recreational bones are excellent substitutes for dental sticks because they also help the animal to eliminate the food accumulated between the teeth. Recreational bone is called those bones that are not part of the animal's diet and whose objective is to entertain it and, of course, clean its teeth. They should always be raw, never cooked, and should preferably be chosen with the advice of a veterinarian specialized in nutrition. You will find all the information here: "BARF diet for dogs".
