Another term that refers to mouth odor is halitosis, which is very common among dogs because of the accumulation of odor-causing bacteria inside the mouth. Moreover, it can be due to an underlying disorder of the kidneys, lungs, and digestive tract. Chronic bad breath can be unpleasing and is a warning indication of an underlying condition that needs to be treated.
The issue of canine smell is common. If your dog has bad breath, morning licks may not be as pleasant as they used to be. Find out why your dog’s breath isn’t as good before offering it as a treat for their teeth.
Doggy Breath and Its Possible Causes
However, no matter how much they cherish their four-legged companion, nobody finds it pleasing to smell their smelly pet’s breath. We believe that the majority of pet owners like to address the problem. In this article, we’ll investigate the potential causes behind your dog’s smelly breath.
1. Poor Dental Health
Cavities and gum disease affect dogs like it affects humans. Bacteria on your dog’s teeth may produce biofilm. This biofilm is composed of bacteria, food particles, and various wastes. If not removed, the biofilm will get more complicated and form plaques, which a specialist can only remove.
If plaque isn’t removed, the plaque will solidify to form tartar, which is far more challenging to eliminate. The cause of gingivitis could be untreated tartar. Afterwhich, gingivitis can evolve into periodontal disease, which can cause tooth loss and various health issues.
To know more about oral health and dental care for your pet, you can visit a website like www.nwvetstanwood.com and read articles and blog posts explaining dental health for your dog.
2. Undesirable Diet
Dogs can be disgusting. There are instances where their routines trigger them to have foul breath. Your dog’s bad breath may result from eating something he shouldn’t, like trash or dead animals that he has access to.
Coprophagia is when dogs consume their own or another dog’s urine. Their breath will smell like poop as a result of this. It is possible that the viruses and bacteria found in dog poop could harm the dog if the poop is ingested.
To ensure your pet is well protected, you should subject it to dog vaccinations. Vaccines can prevent common and severe ailments from infecting your pets.
3. Kidney Disease
A common cause of bad breath in dogs can be kidney disease. The kidneys’ filtering and elimination processes remove toxins from your body. These toxins build up in the body when the kidneys aren’t working correctly and are eliminated through the lungs. This can cause bad breath.
Kidney disease can be treated differently, with some being more efficient than others. An internal medicine veterinarian should examine your dog immediately if you suspect kidney disease.
4. Liver Illness
An additional common source of canine bad breath is a liver problem. Like the kidneys, the liver removes harmful substances from the blood. These toxins accumulate in your body when the liver isn’t functioning correctly and are released into the lungs, resulting in bad breath.
The severity of the disease and the treatment options are varied for liver problems. Because the liver may function at a low capacity for a long time before presenting symptoms and signs, a liver disorder often stays untreated until severe. If you suspect a liver problem, look for eyes or gums that are yellow, weight loss, loss in appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness.
5. Tumors
An oral tumor could also cause the dog’s smelly breath. The mouth, which includes the gums and tongue, is a perfect place to develop tumors. They are available in various dimensions and can be malignant or benign.
Surgery is an option to treat certain oral cancers. However, other more severe treatments, including radiation therapy or chemotherapy, could be necessary. Bad breath is usually caused by necrosis, also known as cell death within the mass which may cause a variety of signs. Bad breath may result from this.