Why Does My Dog’s Breath Smell? 6 Causes & How to Fix It

Bad breath in dogs is so common that it even has its own name: doggy breath. However, while many owners treat canine halitosis as normal, it could be a sign of illness, may indicate that a change in diet is needed, or most likely, points to bad dental hygiene or dental disease. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to freshen your dog’s breath and potentially improve their overall health.

The 6 Causes of Bad Breath in Dogs

It’s easy to recognize when your dog has bad breath. A certain amount of odor is common immediately after eating, but if your dog’s breath is so malodorous that you can smell their approach before you hear or see them, you should treat this as a trigger to take action.

There are many possible causes of halitosis, including the following.

1. Periodontal Disease

Around 80% of dogs develop dental disease by the age of 3.¹ Many of the signs can be difficult to spot; bad breath is one of the more obvious ones. Periodontal disease, which is an infection in the gums and surrounding tissues, and fractured teeth are the most common canine dental ailments.

The best way to prevent tartar buildup and infections is daily brushing, but if tartar has already started to form, your dog will have to undergo a professional cleaning arranged by your vet.

2. Bad Eating Habits

Dogs have questionable dining habits. If they eat from the trash can or the cat litter, it can lead to bad breath. Ensure that trash lids are securely closed, keep full trash bags in a separate area that your dog can’t access, and put the tempting cat litter tray in a spot that your pup can’t reach.

Some dogs will eat their own poop and that of other dogs in the house. They might also eat decaying animal remains and drink from puddles. Keep an eye out for any dietary habits that might need training.

3. A Fishy Diet

Some foods have a persistent odor. Fish is especially smelly, so if you feed your dog a diet that is heavy in seafood, consider changing to a diet with different meat proteins.

4. Food Sensitivities and Allergies

Food intolerances mean your dog is unable to digest certain food types and ingredients because their stomach fails to break down the enzymes and nutrients. It can lead to a host of gastrointestinal signs, including abdominal pain and vomiting, and it can also cause bad breath.

Allergies are more serious, and the signs also tend to be more serious and may include diarrhea, vomiting, increased itching, and flaky skin. If your dog is struggling to break down the food that they are allergic to, it could also cause bad breath.

5. Mouth Infection

Even a seemingly innocuous injury in the mouth can become infected if it is left untreated and uncleaned. Infections are accompanied by a bad smell, and this could be what you’re smelling when your dog tries to give you kisses. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection.

6. Illness

Halitosis can be caused by illness or disease. These will require veterinary intervention.

How to Fix Bad Breath: 6 Easy Solutions

You should identify the cause of your dog’s bad breath before trying to fix it. Just giving them minty dental chews could be masking a much more serious problem.

That said, once the issue has been identified, you may still be left with a stinky dog. Try the following steps to eliminate the bad smell.

1. Brush Teeth

Bad smells can be caused by food and other substances getting stuck in your dog’s mouth. Eventually, they start to decay and smell. Brushing teeth is the most effective way to remove malodorous debris and help prevent dental disease. Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth every day but at least three times a week, to help stave off tartar and plaque.

Buy a finger brush, start when your dog is as young as possible, and stick with a regular brushing pattern for the best results.

2. Change Diet

It stands to reason that the food a dog eats dictates the smell that comes out of their mouth. Switch from fish-flavored food to chicken-flavored, or just try a different brand to see if that can combat the problem. Also, the chewing of dry kibble can help remove plaque and tartar, so consider adding some dry food to their daily feeding schedule.

3. Give Dental Treats

In the same way that dry kibble can simulate dental brushing, dental treats can too. Choose those that are vet-recommended and that aren’t loaded with calories and bad ingredients.

4. Feed Rawhide Bones

You have to take some care with them, but rawhide bones could help your dog. If your buddy is a ferocious chewer, rawhide bones could lead to bleeding gums and may make the problem worse. A sensible chewer, though, will benefit from the gnawing of the bone. Buy an appropriate size, don’t offer too many, and monitor your dog for signs of bleeding gums.

5. Add Breath Freshener to the Water

Humans can use mouthwash to help keep their breath smelling fresh. While you won’t be able to convince your dog to gargle and spit spearmint mouthwash out, you can get a dog-safe additive that you put in their water. The ingredients fight plaque, prevent tartar, and improve breath smells.

6. Provide Home Remedies

Final Thoughts

Dogs can have questionable habits. They eat out of bins and scavenge the contents of cat litter. They are also unable to brush their teeth themselves, so bits of food and other debris can collect in the mouth, causing bad breath. Halitosis can also be a sign of illnesses, including diabetes and liver and kidney disease. You should ensure that smelly breath isn’t a sign of a bigger problem, typically by consulting with your dog’s vet, but we included methods here to help get rid of the smell and improve your and your dog’s life.

Featured Image Credit: JACLOU-DL, Pixabay