Halitosis or bad breath is a relatively common problem in dogs and can have different causes. It is important to know, therefore, that it is not normal and that is why it will need veterinary treatment. In this article on our site we are going to explain why your dog's mouth smells fishy, ammonia or some other unpleasant smell. The causes can range from dental problems to systemic diseases or poisoning. We will also see how we can prevent this bad smell from occurring.
Causes of punctual halitosis in dogs
First of all, we must distinguish a halitosis that occurs from time to time from one that lasts over time, especially if it is is accompanied by other symptoms. If our dog ingests excrement, a behavior known as coprophagia, or is suffering from an episode of vomiting, regurgitation or even rhinitis or sinusitis, it is common for us to notice halitosis. Why our dog's mouth smells of fish or garbage would, in these cases, be explained by the bad odor that excrement, vomit or regurgitated material would leave in the oral cavity.
In rhinitis or sinusitis, it is the secretion that it can generate and that the dog swallows that would give off a bad smell. In these cases, it is likely that our dog will present symptoms such as sneezing or general discomfort and we will have to go to the vet. In the case of coprophagia, the causes that encourage it are not clear, so we must focus on preventing it from occurring, since the ingestion of feces from other animals can cause parasitosis. For this we can consult with an ethologist or specialist in canine behavior and review our article "Why do dogs eat excrement?". In general, this behavior occurs more in puppies than in adults, so if you notice that your puppy has a fishy mouth smell, check for coprophagia.
My dog's mouth smells like rotten fish: poisoning
Ingestion of some compounds such as phosphorous or zinc phosphide may explain why a dog's mouth smells like rotten fish or garlic. In these cases we may observe other symptoms such as seizures, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, weakness, pain or vomiting. If we suspect that our dog has been poisoned, we must go to our reference veterinarian without wasting time. The prognosis will depend on the product ingested, the amount and the size of the dog. If possible, we should take a sample of the poison to help the vet make a diagnosis.
As always, prevention is our best asset and for this reason we must not leave any poison within the reach of our dog. Nor food for human consumption, since some of our daily foods can be toxic to our dogs. Review the list of "Forbidden Foods for Dogs" according to scientific studies.
Diseases that cause bad breath in dogs
When we think about why our dog's mouth smells like fish or any other unpleasant odour, the periodontal disease is going to be a very common cause. Among the oral disorders that stand out we find the following:
Gingivitis
This is inflammation of the gums and can be very painful. tartar builds up at points where the gums separate from the teeth. Food debris and bacteria accumulate in these places, which ends up causing gum infection. In addition to perceiving a bad odor from the dog's mouth, we can see the gums reddened and bleeding and/or oozing easily. Due precisely to this bleeding, it is also common to notice that the dog's mouth smells of blood. It requires veterinary attention so that it does not progress to periodontitis, which we will see below.
Periodontitis
When gingivitis progresses, it infects the roots of the teeth, which can eventually break off. This disease causes pain, so that, in addition to noticing that the dog's mouth smells rotten, other symptoms are difficulties eating, food falling out of the mouth or hypersalivation. It will require veterinary treatment with a deep dental cleaning or even the extraction of teeth and the administration of antibiotics.
Stomatitis
It is a inflammation in the mouth that involves the gums and tongue and can have different causes, such as periodontal disease or strange bodies. It will require veterinary treatment, as it is a very painful condition that, in addition to a bad smell, causes hypersalivation, difficulties in eating food and refusal to handle the mouth, which will look red and may even bleed. Stomatitis also appears in systemic diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure or hypothyroidism, hence the importance of a correct diagnosis.
Strange bodies
Although they do not constitute a disease in themselves, occasionally, some objects such as splinters, bone fragments, hooks or spikes can get stuck in our dog's mouth and develop some of the aforementioned pathologies. If we observe that he scratches with his paws or rubs, hypersalivates, has nausea, keeps his mouth open or a bad smell is released from it, generally when the foreign body has been inside the mouth for a day or more, we can think of this issue. If we open the mouth and examine it, we may see the object, often hooked behind the tongue, especially in the case of strings and the like that can wrap around its base. Unless we see it very clearly, It should be the vet who removes it and may prescribe antibiotic treatment.
Tips to prevent your dog from smelling fish in the mouth
We have seen some of the problems that can explain why our dog has a fishy mouth smell. We will now see some recommendations regarding the care of the teeth that can prevent the appearance of gingivitis or periodontitis, very common disorders in dogs, and, therefore, avoid bad mouth odour. The tips to follow are as follows:
- Proper feeding: feed or food that favors biting and makes the animal gnaw is recommended, as this contributes to keep teeth clean by their shape and consistency. Human food scraps or wet food allow more debris to settle on the teeth, increasing the risk of infection.
- Regular mouth cleaning: on the market there are toothbrushes and specific pastes for dogsIt is a good practice to get our dog used to frequent brushing, which will also help us to detect any oral problem in the early stages. To do this, we recommend consulting the article on "Different ways to clean a dog's teeth".
- Use of teethers: following the recommendations of our veterinarian, we can get hold of suitable toys for maintaining our dog's dental he alth. This professional will also recommend which ones to avoid so as not to damage the teeth, such as tennis balls, due to their abrasive effect on the teeth. For more information on this last point, do not miss the following post: "Are tennis balls good for dogs?".
- Snacks: also following veterinary advice, we can regularly offer our dog products that favor dental hygiene and that are given as prizes, so we must be careful not to excessively increase the daily ration, since we could promote obesity.
- Professional dental hygiene: if our dog's mouth is in poor condition, we can resort to a dental cleaning performed by our veterinarian. This procedure will require anesthesia, so it is recommended that we monitor our dog's mouth so that it is done when needed, because if we wait until our dog is very old, anesthesia may pose a considerable risk.
- All of these recommendations become more important in the case of small breed dogs, as they seem to have a propensity for oral problems.
Other causes of a fishy mouth smell in a dog
Finally, sometimes we can explain why our dog's mouth smells like fish or ammonia due to suffering from some systemic disease, such as diabetes or the kidney diseaseIn these cases we will be able to observe other symptoms such as an increase in water intake and urine output, which is known as polydipsia and polyuria.
In the case of diabetes, an increase in food intake is also observed in the initial phases, although the animal does not gain weight and even loses weight. It is when the disease progresses that we can notice vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, dehydration, weakness and cataracts. A strange breath odor may occur in cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, which occurs when lipids are metabolized for energy, in the absence of glucose, and this The procedure causes ketones to build up in the blood, leading to other symptoms such as weakness, vomiting, or breathing problems. It is a vital emergency that requires immediate veterinary assistance.
In the case of kidney failure, the dog may also present vomiting, dehydration, apathy, anorexia, weight loss or mouth ulcers This disease can occur acutely or chronically and in both cases we can notice halitosis. In the event of any of these symptoms, it will be our veterinarian who, through a blood test, will determine if our dog suffers from any of these diseases and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
