My Dog’s Breath Smells Like Burn Hair

Reviewed By Kyoko •  Updated: 08/09/21 •  3 min read
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Anyone who loves dogs know they are not always smelling of roses and pure white snow! Dogs can develop all types of funky odors, though some are downright atrocious! A dog’s breath is one issue that may come up now and then. Normal doggie breath smells like doggie breath; however, what does it mean if a dog’s breath starts to smell foul?

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Has your dog’s breath started to smell like burned hair? Are you worried this could be an indication that your dog is sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog develops a symptom like this.

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

First Check This!

One of the most noxious smells is skunk spray. Skunks are common all across the US and are found even in urban areas. So, it’s entirely possible your dog has been skunked! The smell is something like burned rubber or burnt hair. And while it may seem that your dog’s breath smells like this, it could be that his head was sprayed by the skunk. This could be the source of your dog’s foul breath!

You may notice that your dog is also pawing at his eyes, squinting, foaming at the mouth, and more. These could all be indications that your fur baby was sprayed by a skunk. The best thing you can do is get your dog to the vet. The vet will be able to treat these symptoms, though the bad smell may linger for a time.

Other Issues that Can Cause a Dog’s Breath to Smell Like Burned Hair

There are some other issues that could cause your dog’s breath to smell like burned hair, including:

Dog’s diet: have you recently made a change in your dog’s diet or his dog food? This can cause foul-smelling breath in your dog. Some dog foods just don’t smell good. It’s really that simple.

Dental problems: are another common cause of bad breath in dogs. These can include tooth decay, abscesses, gum disease, and more.

Kidney & liver problems: can also cause foul breath in dogs.

Foreign objects in teeth: dogs that love to chew on things may get something stuck in their teeth.  When the foreign object stays caught in the teeth, bacteria work to break it down. This can lead to very bad breath in dogs.

How to Help Your Dog

If your dog hasn’t been sprayed by a skunk (or if he has!), then it’s time to call the vet. The vet will examine your dog and run tests to see what’s causing the foul-smelling breath.

The good news is that in most cases, the vet can treat the underlying problem. Then your dog’s breath will return to a healthy doggie breath once again, and your fur baby will feel better, too!

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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!