My Dog’s Breath Smells Like Blood

Reviewed By Kyoko •  Updated: 08/07/21 •  3 min read
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There are times when a dog’s breath doesn’t smell too good. We’ve all been there! But what if a dog’s breath starts to smell foul in some way?

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Has your dog’s breath started smelling like blood? Are you worried that your dog could be sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog develops this type of symptom.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what can cause a dog’s breath to smell like blood and how you can help your dog. Let’s get started!

First Check This!

The first thing to check is whether your dog has been chewing on anything recently. Has he been chewing on very hard doggie treats? Has he chewed up a stick? Has your canine companion chewed up a hard dog toy?

The reason we’re asking is that your fur baby may have chewed on something that has cut the inside of his mouth. This can cause bleeding in the mouth, which can then lead to your dog’s breath smelling like blood. Be sure to check the roof of your dog’s mouth, along the gums, and even in between his teeth. Look for signs of blood and irritation.

If you find evidence of cuts or tears in your dog’s mouth, then it’s best to have the vet check these out. The vet will make sure nothing is infected and show you how to keep the cuts clean as they heal.

Other Causes of Blood-Smelling Breath in Dogs

There are some other reasons a dog’s breath may smell like blood, including:

Dental problems: dogs that have rotting teeth, abscesses, gum infections, and more can develop foul-smelling breath.

Kidney problems: some types of kidney issues can cause a dog’s breath to smell like blood.

Ulcers: stomach ulcers may also cause a dog’s breath to smell like blood.

Anal gland issues: another common cause of blood-smelling breath in dogs are anal gland problems. You may notice your dog is licking his rear and/or glands, which causes his breath to smell very bad.

How to Help Your Dog

As you can see, there are many different reasons your dog’s breath smells like blood. The best thing you can do to help your canine companion is to make an appointment with the vet.

In most cases, the vet will be able to determine the exact cause of your fur baby’s foul breath and treat it. Once the underlying health issue has been treated, chances are your dog’s breath will go back to smelling like normal doggie breath again!

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Kyoko

Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!