If you notice your dog's breath smelling foul and strong, it might be time to take a look. While a little bit of odor is to be expected, a strong odor for long periods of time should be taken into concern. Bad breath in dogs, or halitosis, can sometimes mean a serious health issue waiting to be addressed. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know. We'll talk about why your dog has bad breath and how to easily fix this problem. With our help, your dogs will be beaming with fresh breath.

What Causes Bad Breath in Dogs?

Generally, your dog's bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene, dental diseases, diet, and other factors. Here are the most common reasons:

Poor Oral Hygiene and Dental Diseases

Dental problems are the number one cause of bad breath in dogs. When your dog's mouth doesn't have regular dental cleanings, plaque can accumulate. Over time, this leads to tartar buildup. The bacteria that stay in the dog's mouth will cause gum disease, infections, and even tooth decay. All these cause bad breath in dogs.

Here’s how you can tell if your dog has any kind of dental disease: 

• Yellow or brown tartar buildup on teeth.

• Red and swollen gums.

• Difficulty chewing or chewing on just one side. 

• Pawing at the mouth.

• Excessive drooling.

Diet and Eating Habits

Some foods, such as wet food, can contribute to stronger mouth odors because they stick easily to the dog's teeth. Dry kibble is less likely to get stuck in the mouth, making it a better choice when it comes to reducing bad breath in dogs. Some treats also have strong odors. For instance, fish-based diets can leave a bad smell in a dog's mouth. 

Additionally, dogs have a knack for eating things they shouldn't. This includes garbage, decomposing food, or even feces. These could be the cause of a dog's bad breath.

Foreign Objects

Bad breath in dogs can also be caused by bone fragments or foreign objects lodged in their mouth. When foreign objects get stuck, they can potentially cause injuries to dogs. These can lead to infections that make a dog's breath smell bad. 

Some of the common signs of this injury include:

• Pawing at the mouth.

• Excessive drooling.

• Pain and discomfort.

• Vocalization.

• Difficulty eating.

Health Conditions

Dogs can have bad breath because of other health problems that aren't completely related to oral hygiene. These include diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, oral tumors, and infections. Here is a summary of how health issues can cause bad breath in dogs:

• Diabetes. Canine diabetes causes the formation of ketones, giving the breath an acetone-like smell.

• Kidney Disease. Kidney dysfunction can lead to a urine-like smell.

• Liver Disease. A liver unable to filter out toxins can make a dog's breath smell like a dead animal.

• Oral Tumors. Tumors in the mouth can smell because they have dead tissue.

What to Do if Your Dog Has Bad Breath?

Fixing your dog's bad breath will involve tackling the main issue. Regular dental cleaning is the best way to reduce bad breath in dogs. Professional services can provide a deep clean of your dog's teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue.

If your dog has bad breath from gum infections or other dental diseases, specific medications will be used. These include antibiotics, pain relief medications, and medicated mouthwashes. For dogs with oral tumors, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy will be the available options.

In cases where the dog's foul breath is caused by foreign objects, manual removal will be done. Medications will be used to treat the wound and infection, if there are any.

Bad dog breath caused by underlying health conditions will be treated appropriately. This can include dietary changes, medications, and supportive care treatments tailored to the health problem.

Lastly, we recommend changing your dog's diet. Switch to high-quality kibble to reduce bad breath.

How to Prevent Bad Breath in Dogs?

Follow these steps to prevent bad dog breath:

1. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth Regularly. Regularly brushing your dog's teeth is the best way to prevent and reduce bad breath in dogs. We recommend doing this twice or thrice a week.
   
   

2. Feed a High-Quality Diet. Switch to a high-quality diet filled with minimally processed ingredients. Too much artificial fillers can cause bad breath in dogs.
   
   

3. Provide Fresh Water. Provide a constant supply of fresh water to your dog. This helps rinse and hydrate its mouth.
   
   

4. Schedule Regular Dental Checkups. Dental checkups check for any oral issues. Checkups are also helpful for regular dental cleanings.

Fresh breath and good health go paw in paw. A little care keeps your pup feeling great and smelling fresh every day.

- Dr. Soheyl Simaei

FAQs About Bad Breath in Dogs

1. What causes bad breath in dogs?

   
   Bad breath in dogs is caused by poor oral hygiene, health and dental diseases, and dietary habits. Specifically, these can include gum infections, oral tumors, diabetes, kidney disease, and dietary indiscretion.
   
   

2. How do you get rid of bad breath in dogs?

   
   Regular brushing is the best way to get rid of bad breath in dogs. You can also provide high-quality kibble and a constant supply of water.
   
   

3. Are there any home remedies to freshen a dog's bad breath?

   
   Popular home remedies include adding parsley to dog food, providing coconut oil, and raw carrots. However, regular brushing is the best home remedy for a dog's bad breath.

Conclusion

If your dog has bad breath, there must be a reason why. While the occasional odor is normal, chronic foul breath often translates to a health issue. Fortunately, you can help your dog keep its breath fresh through regular brushing and diet improvements. 

Preventing bad breath in your dogs also helps keep them safe from painful diseases.  This means they can spend more time playing than worrying about the pain.