Bad Dog Breath: Common Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

Dog breath isn’t a pleasant thing, but when it’s really bad, it could be a sign something serious is wrong with your pup. Here’s what you need to be able to tell the difference.

Key takeaways:

• Poor oral care can be the culprit of dogs’ bad breath, but it can also signify something worse.

• Liver or kidney disease, diabetes, and oral tumors are just some of the causes of bad breath.

• Some dog oral health issues can mean a pup’s breath smells like ammonia, fish, or acetone.

There are countless perks to parenting a dog, but the way they smell isn’t always one of them. From wetness after swimming or being in the rain to their sometimes questionable breath, your pup probably has some funky odors.

Many dog parents don’t know that a dog’s breath can give some insight into its oral health, however. Bad breath in humans and animals is called halitosis. All sorts of things – from foods to bacteria and germs, and even some illnesses – can cause it. Bad breath is typically remedied with routine oral care, but it sometimes persists and becomes worse.

A dog’s breath will never smell minty fresh, but constant foul halitosis can signify problems beyond dog oral health issues.

Causes and Symptoms of Bad Dog Breath

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease begins when plaque and tartar build on the teeth. Sticky, slick plaque starts to form as soon as a dog salivates. The plaque mineralizes in just a few days, and tartar is formed as a result. If tartar and plaque continue to build, gingivitis or gum inflammation takes hold. Without treatment, gingivitis evolves into periodontitis and changes from good bacteria into destructive bacteria.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

Avoiding touch near the mouth

• Bleeding gums

• Halitosis

• Loss of appetite

• Swollen gums

Harmful bacteria cause tooth decay and create the smelly, sulfur compounds that lead to halitosis. Small dog breeds are more susceptible to periodontal disease. This is because their teeth are closer together, and they typically eat softer foods that stick between them.

Kidney disease

Metabolic diseases, such as kidney issues, can also cause halitosis. A decrease in kidney functions can make a dog’s breath smell of ammonia, for example. This happens because the waste products kidneys normally filter out of the body begin to accumulate in the bloodstream. Other symptoms include:

• Depression

• Diarrhea

• Lethargy

• Vomiting

Kidney disease can also cause breathing problems and dehydration as it progresses. Dogs that eat mainly dry dog food with few proteins are prone to kidney disease.

Poisonous substances

Some dogs eat anything, including poop, so it’s safe to assume they could eat a poisonous substance. Toxic chemicals such as rodenticide and antifreeze can smell good enough to interest a dog, for example. Dogs that ingest poison often have sweet-smelling breath, as if they’ve eaten candy or gum. They may vomit or appear lethargic, but poisoning symptoms vary greatly depending on the type of toxin ingested. Some symptoms include:

• Agitation

• Diarrhea

• Pulmonary issues

• Respiratory distress

Blisters, redness, swelling, and pain are all signs that a dog’s skin has come in contact with a toxin, such as poison ivy or battery acid.

Diabetes

Everything a dog eats breaks down during digestion. The particles of glucose from the food are carried into the cells by insulin. Diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin or a poor reaction to it. Diabetic dogs’ bodies can’t maintain correct blood sugar levels, resulting in a sweet or acetone smell in the breath.

Liver disease

Late-stage liver disease – a condition related to high blood pressure in the veins of the liver – often creates halitosis. It is most apparent once cirrhosis manifests and blocks blood flow to the liver. Toxins accumulate throughout the body, and sulfur and oxygen trapped in the lungs can cause halitosis.

Symptoms of liver disease include:

• Confusion

• Free bleeding

• Jaundice

• Stomach bloating

• Swollen legs

This bad breath is also called “fetor hepaticus,” or “Breath of the Dead,” and is associated with alcohol poisoning, brain disorders, and diabetes.

Trapped food

Dogs don’t brush their teeth after every meal, and food particles that get stuck between their teeth can start to stink after a few days. Dogs also eat a variety of non-food items that they find in the trash or laying around, which will cause a foul smell to emanate from their mouths. Brushing a dog’s teeth at least twice a week helps to keep food particles from decaying and causing tooth rot and bad breath.

Oral tumors

Dogs can develop oral tumors, especially if they are prone to oral papilloma, warts caused by the papillomavirus virus, or environmental carcinogens. Oral tumors appear as dark-colored masses of any shape or size inside a dog’s mouth. They grow so quickly the blood vessels in the mouth cannot keep up, which causes dead areas. Halitosis begins when bacteria take over the dead spots in the mouth. Visit a vet immediately if you notice a strange mass inside your dog’s mouth that seems to grow larger daily.

How to prevent bad dog breath

Regular tooth brushing and oral care will keep a dog’s breath as fresh as possible, but additional treatments are required if the cause of bad breath is an underlying disease. The halitosis will subside once those existing issues are treated. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Oral care products containing Zinc and other metal ions stop odor from forming by interfering with microbial growth and the calcification of the microbial deposits that cause bad breath.

• The best line of defense against bad breath in dogs is a routine wellness plan.

• Regular professional grooming, including oral care, allows pet parents to catch any serious issues while still small and manageable.

Bad breath in dogs is usually a case of simple oral care, and regular brushing is the easiest way to keep it at bay. Instilling a routine dog wellness plan, including bathing, haircuts, oral care, and vet visits, will help keep halitosis under control and spot serious dog oral health issues before they become insurmountable.

A pet wellness professional with a personal touch

Oral care for dogs is simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Pet parents sometimes need a little help, and Scenthound is here to do just that. We offer a convenient, affordable solution for routine dog care and essential grooming that is revolutionizing how pet parents keep their fur family clean and healthy. We offer the first wellness-focused, membership-based dog grooming franchise, and we’re proud to be disrupting an outdated industry with our unique approach. 

Scenthound’s services center around routine and preventive care for dogs in five core areas: Skin, Coat, Ears, Nails, and Teeth (SCENT). Find your local Scenthound for help giving your pet the best life possible.