Dog breath—no pet parent (or at least most!) wouldn’t say that doggie breath is a great smell. But it is an indication that a dog is healthy. What happens, though, when a dog’s breath begins to stink?
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Has your dog’s breath started to smell like bile? Are you worried this may indicate that your dog is sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog develops a symptom of this type.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what can cause a dog’s breath to smell like bile and what you can do to help your dog. Let’s get started!
First Check This!
One of the most common problems that can cause a dog’s breath to smell like bile is a digestive tract problem. The issue could be a stomach ulcer, an imbalance of gut bacteria, and more.
A gut imbalance, or even an ulcer, can be caused when bacteria and other gut tenants (such as fungi and viruses) begin to become too numerous. This can happen if a dog becomes sick, stressed, starts a new diet or medication, and more. This imbalance may be accompanied by bad breath, diarrhea, vomiting, and more.
If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, then it’s best to call the vet right away.
Other Causes of Bile-Breath in Dogs
Underlying health issues can cause a dog’s breath to smell like bile, including:
Kidney & liver disease: this can include stones, infection, and more. When these organs are not functioning correctly, they’re not able to remove waste products from the blood. This can lead to the waste products building up in the dog’s body, leading to bad breath and more.
Respiratory problems: such as infections can lead to very foul-smelling breath in dogs. Respiratory problems can include sinus infections, rhinitis (allergic or non-allergic), lung infections (such as pneumonia), and more.
Digestive tract issues: stomach and digestive issues can also cause bile-smelling breath in dogs. These can include stomach ulcers, megaesophagus (enlargement/stretching) of the esophagus, and more.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHow to Help Your Dog
The best thing you can do is make an appointment with the veterinarian. The vet will examine your dog and run tests to see what’s causing the problem.
The good news is that once the underlying health issue has been treated, your dog’s breath should return to normal! You’ll have a happy, healthy fur baby again!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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