There are few odors as unpleasant as bad breath in a dog. Do you notice that your dog’s mouth smells more bad than normal? Canine halitosis is not only bothersome for owners; It may be that your dog is showing you signs of a health problem.

Before you head straight to buy mint flavored stickers for your dog’s mouth, you should take a moment to do a little more research into possible causes, how symptoms can be treated, and what you can do to help.

What can be the causes of bad breath?

Many people believe that bad breath in a dog is normal, that this is the “breath of the dog”, ignoring that possibly behind that halitosis there is a reason. What can lead your dog to canine halitosis?

• Poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease

The most common cause of halitosis in dogs is usually poor or no oral hygiene, and the well-known periodontal disease. Dogs should also brush their teeth for hygiene. The buildup of tartar can lead to the development of bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath, just like in humans. If you’ve never worried about your dog’s oral hygiene, chances are this is the cause of his halitosis, but things can get a little worse: Prolonged lack of oral hygiene can lead to periodontal disease. This not only causes inflammation of the animal’s gums, but can also cause cavities, serious infections, tooth loss or even pus formation in some areas of its mouth.

• Unpleasant eating habits

Sometimes our dogs do not have entirely pleasant habits; they may rummage through the garbage, put their snouts in decomposing animals, or directly eat their droppings or those of other animals. This is not only very unpleasant, but it is also unsanitary and they are directly habits that cause bad breath for many dogs. To solve these types of problems, more associated with the psychology of the dog, it will be important that you go to a professional.

• Diabetes

Although this may seem strange, if you notice a sweet and fruity breath in your dog, you should immediately take it to the vet. This symptom, along with drinking and urinating more than usual, are related to canine diabetes, a serious condition but easy to treat when detected.

• Kidney disease

When a dog tends to eat feces, his breath will smell like feces, on the other hand, if you notice a smell of urine on your dog’s breath, it is very unlikely that he has been ingesting urine. The smell of urine in a dog’s mouth is a sign of kidney disease and it is very important that you bring the animal on an appointment with your vet. Kidney-related illnesses are serious and could be life-threatening for your partner.

• Liver problems

If in addition to noticing halitosis in your dog, we observe that he vomits more than usual, shows a lack of appetite, or that his gums have a yellowish tone, we may be facing liver disease. As with kidney ailments, liver problems are serious and it is important that a veterinarian examine the dog as soon as possible to find adequate treatment.

How to treat halitosis in your dog?

It will be as important to know the diagnosis of what happens to our dog, as to find a solution for him. If the cause of canine halitosis comes from lack of hygiene, fortunately there are many treatments that can help you solve your dog’s problem.

Take your dog to the vet and let him advise you on the best option. They may perform a deep dental cleaning. To do this, it is likely that the first thing they do in the veterinary center is to draw blood from the animal to make sure that it can withstand anesthesia. With anesthesia and during dental cleaning, it may also be used to extract a tooth: sometimes periodontal diseases cause cavities, loosen or damage teeth, and it is necessary to remove them.

If the cause of halitosis is the ingestion of garbage or feces, you will have to increase the supervision of the animal. Keep your litter bin under control, or your cat’s litter box if he has a weakness ingesting cat litter.

As for diabetes, kidney diseases and other more serious ailments, only a treatment established by the animal’s veterinarian will be the solution.

When you have eliminated the problem, your dog’s halitosis will also disappear.

Tips to prevent bad breath in dogs

To prevent canine halitosis you need to brush your dog’s teeth regularly. There is toothpaste for dogs, and regular cleaning minimizes plaque and gives the animal more health and hygiene. It may seem like a difficult exercise to do at first, but with a little training, you can get your dog to enjoy brushing.

You can complement brushing with toys that allow them to chew and take care of their teeth naturally. Biting and chewing prevents tartar buildup and also entertains them a lot, so with very little, you will be making your dog a healthier and happier animal.

Dental hygiene should be a routine

The most effective way to combat your dog’s halitosis will be to maintain frequent oral health. When brushing and caring for your teeth becomes routine, you help your dog minimize the chances of many other diseases from plaque and tartar buildup.

Do you brush your dog’s teeth? Do you think you may be suffering from halitosis due to lack of hygiene? Do not hesitate, make an appointment with your vet and let him advise you.