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A few years ago it wasn’t unusual for someone who takes pride in their dog’s oral health to be labeled as a “crazy dog owner.” Yet we know that nothing can ruin play time with your canine companion like a blast of bad breath.
Unfortunately, bad breath is one of unpleasant side effects of dog ownership. But does it really have to be?
Did you know that 62% of dog owners admit that their dog has bad breath and are unsure as to how to correct it?
Well, don’t worry, I have good news-make that great news! It’s not normal for dogs to have stinky breath – or “doggie breath”… but if you are one of the unlucky ones, there are easy fast remedies you can do right now that will eliminate “doggie breath “ for good!
Note: If your dog is indeed healthy then he or she should not have bad breath. So, bad breath is definitely a warning sign!
You Must Understand the Cause of Bad Breath FIRST!
Bad breath, commonly referred to as halitosis, can be caused by a number of conditions i.e diet, your dog’s digestive health, lack of proper care, environmental conditions, bad bacteria and more.
Whatever the case may be, understanding the cause for your dog’s bad breath is the only way to find out if it’s due to a larger health issue that may become a serious health problem.
Here are some of the causes of bad breath in dogs.
1. Gum Disease – The #1 Culprit
Almost 80% of dogs today suffer from gum disease. Therefore, it’s not far fetched to assume that your dog’s bad breath is due to a lack of oral hygiene. Like in humans, bacteria can build- up in a dog’s mouth over time, creating a foul odor.
Unfortunately, along with saliva and food particles, bacteria is present in your dog’s mouth after every meal. Without regular oral care the bacteria will form a sticky film that is often referred to as plaque. When plague develops, your dog’s immune system will recognize it as foreign invader and gather white blood cells to attack.
The bacteria will, in turn, encourage the white blood cells to release enzymes. These enzymes will break down the dog’s gums; leading to inflammation, bone loss and tissue damage – which is more formally called gum disease.
In addition to bad breath, changes in your dog’s eating patterns increased licking and drooling, pawing of the face, as well as bleeding, redness, and swelling of the gums are all indicators of gum diseases.
The good news is that there is a lot of information available to dog owners related to dealing with gum diseases. This is primarily because it’s the number one issue affecting adult dogs today.
2. Teething – A Common Cause for Pup’s Smelly Breath
It’s likely that your pup’s breath may never smell pleasant during the teething phase. The bleeding gums plus the moist, warm condition in your pup’s mouth creates the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply.
After the teething phase is over, the bacteria build-up should reduce overtime. Teething generally occurs when your puppy is between the ages of 3 and 8 months.
3. Other Oral Disease –
a) Stomatitis There are a host of other diseases that could cause your dog to have bad breath. One such disease is stomatitis, although it’s more common among cats. Stomatitis generally leads to inflammation of the gums and can be extremely painful. .
b) Gingival hyperplasia-One other oral issue disease is gingival hyperplasia, identifiable by bumps on the gum and oral masses, a conditional that results in the growth of tumors in your dog’s mouth (tumors are not always cancerous but they can be).
4. Canine Gastrointestinal Disease
Gastrointestinal Disease preys on your dog’s esophagus and stomach, causing severe pain. Any disorder that affects the stomach may lead to poor digestion and ulcers, which can result in bad breath and sores in your dog’s mouth.
Although it’s a far less common reason for bad breath compared to gum disease, it’s always important to know if your dog has gastrointestinal disease. Dogs suffering from gastrointestinal disease are generally picky with what they eat and might look at a full bowl of food and turn away.
5. Metabolic Disease
Any disease that interrupts the metabolic balance of your dog’s body or results in unusually high levels of toxin in the blood can lead to bad breath. One popular culprit here is kidney disease, which can lead to uremia – which is often linked to bad breath.
See Your Vet if Problems Persist
As a dog owner it’s important for you to be knowledgeable on the conditions that could cause your dog to have bad breath. Your veterinarian is the only person who will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis on what’s causing your dog’s bad breath.
Before visiting your vet, ensure that you are able to answer all questions related to your dog’s behavioral habits, diet, and oral hygiene.
How to Tell When it’s Time to Take Your Dog to the Vet
You may not want to wait until your dog’s breath is so bad that you have to keep your distance – especially considering that it could be a symptom of a much more serious issue. If your dog has persistent bad breath, then you should not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.
Below are a few indicators that could highlight medical issues that need urgent attention:
- Odd fruity or sweet smelling breath may be a signal that your dog has diabetes, especially if you notice that your dog urinates more often and is dehydrated.
- An unusual urine-like smell in the mouth could be an indicator of kidney disease.
- A strange odor combined with poor appetite and frequent vomiting could mean that there is a problem with your dog’s liver.
One of the best things you can do to help your dog and YOU with his bad breath is to give his digestive system the support it needs to operate efficiently. That is why we recommend that you add Juverin Food Booster to his meals at least once per day. It contains enzymes to help digest the food and a very strong antioxidant that fights off deadly bacteria that cause bad breath!
