Nothing is worse than a dog with really bad breath. Normal doggie breath isn’t so great, either, but it’s usually a sign that a dog is healthy! On the other hand, foul-smelling breath may be an indication that a dog has an underlying health condition.
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Has your dog’s breath started to smell like decay? Are you worried this could be a sign 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 this type of symptom.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what can cause a dog’s breath to smell like decay and how you can help your dog. Let’s get started!
Dental Problems are the Most Common Cause of Bad Breath in Dogs
When a dog has horrible breath that smells like decay, the most common culprit is poor dental hygiene. Dogs, just like us, can develop a number of dental problems, including plaque and tartar build-up, tooth decay, gum disease, and more.
The best way to prevent these types of issues is to brush your dog’s teeth at least three times a week. However, there are some other issues that can cause a dog to have breath that smells like decay.
Other Causes of Bad Breath in Dogs
There are a number of other causes for breath that smells like decay in dogs, including:
Kidney disease: this can be caused by infection, stones, kidney failure, and more. When the kidneys are unable to function correctly, waste products build up in the dog’s body. This can cause the dog’s breath to smell foul.
Foreign object in teeth: dogs love to chew on a variety of things such as sticks. It may happen that the dog chews the stick (or another item) and breaks off a small piece. This piece can become lodged in the dog’s teeth, where it may stay stuck for a long time. Over time, bacteria work on the small piece of stick, which can cause the dog’s breath to smell like decay.
Dog’s diet: can also make his breath smell like decay. Certain types of dog food are infamous for causing a dog’s breath to really stink. This may be due to the fact that the food sticks to the dog’s teeth, causing the development of plaque and tartar. These attract bacteria, and you guessed it…the smell can be horrendous.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHow to Help Your Dog
The best thing you can do to help your dog is to call the vet for an appointment. Your dog may have an underlying health condition that requires treatment. Only the vet can help in that situation.
The good news is that once the condition has been treated, your dog’s breath should go back to being normal doggie breath once again!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
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!
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