what causes bad breath in dogs?

Bad breath in dogs is awful. While you may enjoy the company of your adorable pet, maybe not so much when your dog gives the kiss of death.

 Even having your pet anywhere near you can be enough to test your ability not to vomit.

Not only is this unpleasant, but this could also be a strong indication of a serious health issue. It may be easy to dismiss, but investigation further should be done to find out the possible cause. Don’t just give your canine a treat to temporarily fix the problem.

Is Bad Breath in Dogs a Sign of Illness?

Pet owners are quick to ignore dog breath, but there is usually a very good explanation as to why it is happening. Let’s take a look at a few reasons that could be.

Reasons for Doggy Breath

An incorrect diet can easily contribute to bad dog breath, so find out what diet is appropriate for your specific breed. 

• Dietary Habits – Dogs are known for eating things they shouldn’t, including the feces of other animals. Check to see if your dog has access to the litter box, and move it to a location where your cat still gets to it, but it’s nowhere your dog can go. Check the diet you are feeding them, that can certainly contribute to bad dog breath.

• Oral Hygiene – This probably ranks as one of the top reasons why your dog has bad breath. Tartar build-up on anyone can contribute to bad breath, this also includes your pet. If you’re not giving your dog something that helps regularly keep their teeth clean, then it’s highly probable that this is a problem.

Plaque buildup can help new bacteria to form. If left untreated, this can also lead to cavities, infections, and possible tooth loss. This is enough reason to make sure your dog’s mouth is taken care of.

Taking care of your dog’s teeth may prove to be helpful for the two of you. If you take care of this issue, your canine doesn’t have to wonder why you are trying to avoid them. 

• Liver Disease – If your dog’s bad breath is a result of liver disease, there will be other signs that will accompany this. A lack of appetite and vomiting will be present. They may also show signs like yellowing of the gums. Liver problems should be taken seriously, and you should contact your local vet as soon as possible. 

   Other Signs

• Weight Loss

• Diarrhea

The liver is such an essential part of the body, and everything can easily be disrupted if this organ isn’t functioning properly. These signs will help you identify any potential problems developing. 

Causes

Liver disease can be caused by a wide range of conditions and some of the contributors are:

• diabetes
• trauma
• fatty foods
• pancreas problems
• untreated heartworm.

Why Does This Happen? Over time, prolonged exposure to toxins can set the liver up for failure. Infections and chemicals can take their toll and can present itself over time as a bigger problem.

Getting your veterinarian to identify and treat this condition is essential. Bring a list of everything your dog consumes, including supplements and medications. Your vet may decide to do further testing to help identify the best course action is. 

The main thing to take from this is, several things can contribute to this, so taking your dog to a veterinarian will help identify the cause of your dog’s discomfort. Every canine will have a different reason for their problem, so a plan of action needs to be customized for your pet.

It can be very stressful wondering if your dog will be okay. Regardless of the cause, the sooner your pet gets checked the better. Identifying symptoms, and promptly taking your dog to the vet will help reduce this from developing into something much worse. 

• Diabetes in Dogs – This is where the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or stops producing it altogether. This is a serious condition but can be effectively treated. A sweet or fruity smell may be an indication something is wrong, and contacting a vet to investigate would be ideal.

   Other Signs 

• Frequent Urination

• Excessive Thirst

Why Does This Happen? There are several possibilities for this to happen. Long term drug use, obesity, and infections can all contribute to diabetes.

Dog Bad Breath Home Remedy

Trying to find something that can help combat your dog’s funky breath may seem like a challenge. The first option would be to brush your canine’s teeth daily. Since plaque buildup is certainly a likely cause, frequently cleaning their mouth will have a positive impact on their breath.

Not going to happen? Maybe your dog won’t allow you to brush their teeth, or you still notice bad breath after cleaning your dog’s mouth for some time. Whatever the reason is, below you will find a few other things you can try to help with this issue.

What Can I Give My Dog for Bad Breath?

Has your traditional method failed? Here are great ideas that you might find helpful. 

Homemade Dog Toothpaste – Maybe your dog isn’t on board with you shoving a toothbrush into his mouth. This is something that may work if your dog is okay with you putting your finger in his mouth. Mix some baking soda and water into a paste, wrap some gauze around your finger, then apply the mixture to your dog’s teeth. This will help remove some of the plaque that has been building up. Never use store-bought toothpaste that is meant for you, which may have harmful ingredients that your dog can’t touch.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Dog Breath – Here’s one you may enjoy, and is easier to deal with. Not much effort is required for this one, so both you and your dog will appreciate this one.

• Take a ½ teaspoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar, and add it to your dog’s water.

This should help freshen up your dog’s breath. The kind I have at home is made by Bragg, but there are plenty of other choices out there. If you can’t find it locally, then you can also find it here on Amazon by clicking here.

Apple Slices and Carrots – Here’s a great healthy option, and helps clean their teeth at the same time. Cut them into smaller pieces, and don’t forget to remove the seeds. This will help clean those hard to reach places in their mouth.

Dog Bad Breath Treats – If you’re looking for something convenient and easy, then this might be a good option for you. Greenies dog treats offer a wide variety of sizes depending on how big your dog is. Amazon carries this product, and you can Check It Out Here if you are interested in knowing more.

Homemade Dog Breath Spray – This is another great way of freshening your dog’s breath on a budget, or just simply looking for a healthy option for your pet.

Parsley and Water – Simply chop a bunch of parsley, and place it in 2 cups of boiling water for about 3 minutes. Allow it to cool, then fill up the water bottle. 

Spray dogs mouth a few times a day, and discontinue when you feel it’s no 

longer needed.

Don’t want to make anything? – If you don’t want to make anything, then 

there is an option that might be just what you are looking for. A product on 

Amazon by the name of Bluestem might be what you are looking for, and you

can take a look at it by Clicking Here. This oral breath spray for dogs might be the solution you are looking for. It comes in vanilla mint flavor, and only uses food-grade ingredients.                            

Coconut Oil for Dog Breath – With all the different ways trying to manage your dog’s breath, this may be one the both of you will enjoy. Use coconut oil just like toothpaste. Brush your dog’s teeth several times a week, and this will even help keep their tongue clean, which is also another contributor to bad breath.

Conclusion

Trying to find what causes bad breath in dogs may be challenging, but there are lots of great options may solve your dogs problem.

This should give you a few helpful ideas to resolve your dog’s bad breath. Most people will have some of these common items around the house, so you will be able to try them right away. 

If you found this helpful, then you can check out https://everythingbigdogs.com for more great topics.