Doggie breath is the term used to describe the way a dog’s breath normally smells! This may not be a smell that’s near and dear to your heart, but it does indicate a dog is healthy! But what if a dog’s breath starts to begin smelling foul?
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Has your dog’s breath started smelling like copper? Are you worried this may indicate your dog is 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 may cause a dog’s breath to smell like copper and how you can help your dog. Let’s get started!
First Check This!
The first thing to consider is whether or not your dog has been chewing on anything recently. When dogs chew on anything hard, such as a stick or rawhide, they may chew one end into a sharp point. This point, or even splintered pieces, can cause tears and other injuries in the mouth. The oral injuries may bleed, which may cause your dog’s breath to smell like copper.
Blood is often described as having a metallic smell or a coppery smell. For this reason, it’s also a good idea to check your dog for any injuries that may be bleeding. If he’s licking a sore spot or an injury, the blood could get into his mouth and make his breath smell like copper.
However, there are some other conditions that could make your dog’s breath smell like copper, too.
Other Issues That Can Cause a Dog’s Breath to Smell Like Copper
Here are some other issues that could cause a dog’s breath to smell like copper:
Impacted anal glands: this is a common problem in dogs. When the anal glands become impacted, they can develop a metallic smell (also described as fishy). When a dog licks the anal glands, the smell can be transferred to their mouth, making their breath smell pretty bad.
Dental problems: including abscesses, tooth decay, injuries to the mouth/gums, gum disease, and more, can cause a dog’s breath to smell like copper. Some dental problems can cause bleeding, which may be where the copper smell is coming from.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHow to Help Your Dog
There are a number of issues that may cause your dog’s breath to smell like copper. For this reason, it’s best to make an appointment with the vet. Sometimes it’s just not possible to figure out what’s going on by yourself, and it’s essential to find what’s causing your dog’s breath to smell.
The vet will be able to make a diagnosis and treat the underlying health issue. The good news is that when the issue has been treated, your dog’s breath should go back to normal doggie breath 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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