When is bad breath in dogs normal?
If a friendly pant, a hearty yawn, or a little burp creates thick air between you and your four-legged friend, then bad breath is in the air. A little bad breath, just like in humans, is sometimes simply normal. For example, if your dog has just had a delightful nap or enjoyed something tasty, he might smell a bit strong from the mouth afterward. In such cases, it usually helps to let the dog drink a bit.
However, if a foul-smelling breath means that little Fido is no longer allowed to cuddle on the sofa, you should take notice. Because persistent bad breath is a sign that something is not right.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Zahnbeläge, Zahnstein und im schlimmsten Fall faulende Zähne und Entzündungen führen zu Mundgeruch bei Hunden.
Bad breath from food
Just as we can have an unappetizing smell from our mouths after indulging in a kebab with extra garlic sauce the day before, your dog can also smell a bit stronger from the mouth after enjoying a delicious piece of tripe. This bad breath should, however, go away on its own after a short time.
It’s a different story when the bad breath is persistent. Then it’s worth taking a critical look at your dog’s food. Grains, sugar, and vague labels like "animal by-products" should not be present. Inferior food and leftovers from the table have a negative impact on your four-legged friend’s oral flora. They promote the growth of bacteria, which can lead to bad breath.
With a →healthy food with high-quality ingredients, you can ensure that your darling smells less. Not only bad breath, but also a strong-smelling coat can be a sign of inferior quality food. We at Pets Deli know how important a high-quality composition and quality in food is. That’s why only carefully selected ingredients end up in our bowls!
Gesund unterwegs - mit dem besten Futter!
Bad breath in dogs due to poor oral hygiene
The most common causes of persistent bad breath in dogs are diseases in the mouth and throat area. This includes tartar, →tartar and, in the worst case, rotten teeth and gum diseases such as →periodontitis.
Food residues combined with saliva create a plaque on the teeth. If this is not removed, for example, through harder chew snacks or a →regular dental cleaning, the plaque can harden and tartar forms.
If tartar remains untreated for a long time, it promotes further accumulations of bacteria in the mouth and can - you probably guessed it - lead to strong bad breath and, worse, to a chronic →gingivitis. If you can see yellow deposits on your dog’s teeth and/or he refuses his usual dry food, these are signs of dental problems.** In this case, you should have your darling checked by a veterinarian.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Der effektivste Schutz vor Zahnbelägen und Zahnstein ist immer noch das Zähneputzen!
Injuries to the oral cavity
Sticks, balls, bones... our dogs put all sorts of things in their mouths. This can also lead to small injuries. Even during roughhousing with dog buddies, a scratch in the mouth can occur. Smaller, sore spots usually heal well on their own. However, for larger wounds or if there is suspicion of a swallowed object, you should go to a veterinary practice and have your dog examined.
Viruses and bacteria
You have already learned how bacteria can accumulate in your dog’s mouth and thus lead to bad breath. But also viruses like the herpes virus, for example, are not uncommon causes of bad breath in dogs.
Your dog can catch the viruses anywhere - from other animals, from a puddle, or while sniffing or →snacking on feces. Viruses weaken the immune system and give bacteria the opportunity to multiply excessively. This also requires medical treatment to ensure your four-legged friend feels better and the bad breath disappears.
Teething in puppies
A stronger bad breath can also occur during the puppy stage at the time of the →teething. The baby teeth loosen, and your dog rubs and scratches his mouth more, as it itches and hurts. Also, →biting on hands or other objects is not uncommon. This can lead to inflammation and bleeding of the gums. In combination with stuck food residues, this creates the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. The result: foul-smelling bad breath.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Welpen können beim Zahnwechsel etwas Mundgeruch bekommen. Dieser sollte allerdings von allein wieder weggehen.
Initially, a little bad breath during teething is not particularly concerning. However, if the problem persists even after teething, the veterinarian should take a look into the mouth. Perhaps a baby tooth has not fallen out or has broken and is now festering.
A little tip: A teething puppy wants to chew and nibble a lot. During this time, you can help your darling cope with the pain with special chew toys or healthy chew snacks**.
More serious illnesses
Even though in most cases something harmless like tartar is behind bad breath in dogs, more serious illnesses cannot be ruled out. Rarely, a disease of other organ systems such as the liver or kidneys is responsible for bad breath. Possible diseases include:
- severe inflammation of the mouth and throat area, such as purulent tonsillitis
- tumors in the mouth, throat, or neck area
- fungal infections of the oral mucosa
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- metabolic diseases, such as diabetes
- kidney or liver diseases
To detect or rule out a more serious illness in time, you should not ignore persistent bad breath in your dog. Get to the bottom of it and have your darling checked out. If detected early, many diseases are well treatable, and your darling will soon have mint-fresh breath again!
