Believe it or not, bad breath in dogs is extremely common. My dog’s breath smells like a death question is therefore common and more than just important. The first thing to know here is that some of the reasons are harmless and you don’t need to worry about them. The second thing is that in some cases bad breath is a sign of something really bad. Below we will have to explore all the reasons why this happens.
Bad Gut Microbiome Count Is High
In the belly or gut of your dog microbiomes live. Here we can see that they are well-balanced and they are mandatory if you want to have a healthy dog. But, if bad bacteria increases the count too much or the count of good bacteria is very low your dog will end up with an imbalanced microbiome.
My dog’s breath smells like death? Well, the bad bacteria cause this. It is possible that bad bacteria make glasses that will end up in the blood and reach the mouth. Other smells can come to the mouth from the gut.
Usually, if this happens a dog will show additional signs that are not very pleasant. As you need to know, good bacteria is mandatory for proper digestion. Bad bacteria must be present in small numbers only.
Gingivitis
Yes, simple gingivitis can cause bad breath in dogs. This happens when plaque is present on the teeth. Eventually, it will cause inflammation of the gums which is gingivitis. It is gum disease if you want to use a simpler term. If you take your dog to a vet who will remove the plaque, this will not happen. But, if not it will cause bad breath. The explanation is simple. Plaque forces and promotes the growth of bad bacteria that are responsible for bad breath.
It is a common issue. Over 80% of dogs will have gingivitis at some point in their life before age 4. Proper dental hygiene can help you prevent gingivitis and therefore bad breath. It is easier than it sounds.
Liver Disease
Here we have one of the most severe reasons and explanations for this condition. When a dog has bad breath, liver disease may be responsible. This happens because the liver’s health is decreasing and it is unable to filter the blood and remove all the toxins. In this case scenario, it cannot filter sulfur compounds that are responsible for bad breath. If this happens, the compounds will reach the lungs and enter the atmosphere when your dog is breathing.
We must add that the smell in this case reminds us of a dead animal or something similar. It is extremely unpleasant and a vet will use this as one of the signs to diagnose liver disease.
Diabetes
Dogs who have diabetes will end up with ketones build up. This happens as the byproduct of breaking down the fat. Just to add, glucose should be released in this process. The breath of your dog will remind you of nail polish remover, fruity, or even sweet. Then we can see that too much sugar is beneficial for bad bacteria in the mouth and the gut. These also can cause bad breath. When these two mix, your pet will have a severely bad breath odor all the time.
Kidney Disease
It is another severe issue on the list that can be fatal! When kidneys don’t do their job a dog’s breath will be fishy or can even smell like urine. This happens due to the fact that kidneys are unable to filter the urea from the blood or other toxins that are also a huge issue for bad breath.
When He Eats Something
It is possible that your dog has bad breath due to something he eats. The best example is cat poop. If he eats it, he will have extremely bad breath. The situation is the same if he eats something similar or something that generally has a bad odor. When this happens, it doesn’t have to be bad. The bad breath will vanish within hours or at least a day. Yes, you can brush his teeth in order to speed up the progress.
Preventing Bad Breath
Yes, you can help your dog and prevent bad breath, but not always! The first thing you have to do is to brush his teeth on a regular basis. This will remove the bad odor and also help your dog have proper oral hygiene. It is important to add that you have to use toothpaste and brush that are both made for dogs. Using a human toothbrush and toothpaste is not an option.
The next thing you need to know about is that chewing toys are extremely beneficial and will help your dog. They can break down the plaque and remove it. The best thing here is that dogs love these toys so they will enjoy playing with them and get the perk we have here.
As always, you need to take your dog to a vet on a regular basis to examine his teeth and oral health in general. By doing this you can prevent severe complications, diseases, or anything similar. It is a fast and safe process that all dogs should get on a regular basis.
Keep in mind that despite the fact you do all of these, bad breath can occur. If that happens, it means that the dog may suffer from liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes. It is also possible that some other disease or condition causes all of this. That’s why you have to take him to a vet and get proper treatment as soon as possible.
The Final Word
Most dogs have bad breath at some point. My dog’s breath smells like death is an actually common issue. Check these reasons here and try to determine why your pet has bad breath. It is still ideal to take him to a vet and get additional help just to make sure your pet has perfect oral health and general health as well.