Bad breath in dogs 

Bad dog breath is very unpleasant and a sign for underlying diseases in the mouth cavity. So that you and your canine friend can breathe easily again, we have summarised the most important information on the subject of bad breath in dogs for you.

What causes can trigger bad breath in dogs?

There can be several causes for dogs suffering from bad breath. The most common triggers include:

Poor dental hygiene

Not just us dog owners but our canine friends too need good dental hygiene. In order to prevent the formation of plaque, tartar and gum infections, occasionally cleaning the teeth with a special dog toothbrush is highly recommended.

The mechanical motions and special ingredients in dog toothpaste helps to remove slimy plaque. Since this consists of protein and sugars, it is a perfect source of nutrition for bacteria, which encourages bad breath. Dental treats are also a great way to maintain good teeth.

Low-quality dog food

Some foods have a very intense smell and taste. For instance, treats made from rumen or bovine scalp can cause repulsive bad breath in dogs, although this should vanish again after some time.

Another food-related cause of bad breath in dogs can be foods with low-quality ingredients or a high quantity of sugar, since this can encourage the growth of bacteria in the mouth cavity. These bacteria absorb sugar and then produce gases, which trigger the unpleasant smell.

Foreign bodies

It’s not uncommon with dogs to find foreign bodies impaled in the mucosa or stuck between the teeth, such as grains (small bristly plant parts) or wood splinters, which too are a focus for bacteria.

Thus, it’s advisable for the owner to regularly check their dog’s mouth. In most cases, you can carefully remove foreign bodies with your fingers or a pointed object. If this isn’t possible or the mucosa is already severely inflamed, your vet should take charge of removing it.

Loose teeth

Dogs tend to suffer from loose teeth in two different life phases: once as puppies when the permanent teeth develop and then in old age.

If a tooth comes loose, germs can penetrate deeper into the oral mucosa. The resulting deep tooth gaps offer a perfect environment for bacteria, allowing them to quickly multiply in a short period and leading to bad breath.

Serious illnesses

Most dogs with bad breath are merely suffering from mild plaque or a gum infection. In rare cases, however, bad breath can be triggered by illnesses affecting other organ systems. These include, for instance:

• Severe inflammations in the mouth and throat area (e.g. purulent tonsillitis)
• Tumours in the mouth or throat area (e.g. squamous cell carcinoma)
• Fungal infestation in the oral mucosa
• Gastrointestinal diseases
• Metabolic diseases (e.g. diabetes)
• Kidney or liver diseases

Diseases that trigger bad breath in dogs

Noticeably strong and long-lasting bad breath should be looked at by a vet. Before every mouth cavity examination, the vet measures your dog’s vital parameters (pulse, respiratory rate, state of the mucosa etc.), which allow them to assess its general state of health. In combination with the extensive owner interview, this allows the vet to rule out some causes of bad breath. Only then does a thorough mouth cavity examination take place.

First of all, the vet looks at the upper part of the mouth cavity. Along with the front tongue and gums, this includes the incisors, canines and premolars. If they cannot find anything unusual there, they also examine the rear part of the mouth cavity, throat and entrance to the trachea and oesophagus.

Examination under anaesthetic

An anaesthetic is generally necessary in order for your dog to stay as relaxed as possible and to protect the vet from its sharp teeth.

Once the anaesthetic has been administered, the vet can open your dog’s mouth wide and examine it calmly. They use a tongue depressor to press down the tongue. A laryngoscope is also used to rule out foreign bodies or changes in the throat area. This medical support aid comes with a lamp and allows the larynx and surrounding structures to be examined closely.

A X-ray of the mouth can also be carried out to diagnose deep-set dental diseases, whilst a tissue sample can be taken if tumourous changes are suspected. In some cases, blood is also taken from your dog and tested for inflammatory cells, amongst other things.