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Bad breath in dogs is really quite common. You’ve heard of the term “doggie breath.” Well, if you’re a pet parent, then you fully understand what those words are referring to! However, if a dog’s breath starts to smell foul, then there may be a health issue that needs to be checked.
Does your dog’s breath smell like cat food? Are you worried this is a sign that your dog may be sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it’s scary when your dog develops weird symptoms like this.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what can make a dog’s breath smell like cat food and how you can help your dog. Let’s get started!
First Check This!
Do you have one or more cats in your family? If so, does your dog regularly snack on the cat’s food? Then this could be the cause of your dog’s bad breath!
Dogs love to eat cat food. The fact is that multiple pet parents have found. The cat food can make your dog’s breath smell like fish or even seafood since these are common ingredients found in cat food.
Another common cause of cat food breath in dogs is eating trash. If you’ve recently eaten fish and thrown out bones and skin, your dog may have been attracted to the smell of this yummy treat. Dogs are famous for eating all types of things from the trash, including fish and seafood! This can cause cat food breath in dogs, too.
So, check these first! If these issues don’t seem to be the problem, then your canine fur baby could have an underlying health issue.
Health Issues That Can Cause a Dog’s Breath to Smell Like Cat Food
Underlying health issues can cause a dog’s breath to smell like cat food. Some of the most common causes of fish-smelling breath in dogs include:
Kidney problems: can cause a dog’s breath to smell sour, similar to cat food.
Respiratory tract issues: a sinus infection, nasal tumors, and lung infections (or even allergies) can cause a dog’s breath to smell like cat food. This is caused by excessive mucus that contains pus and bacteria. The mucus slowly drips down the back of the dog’s throat, which can lead to bad, foul breath.
Gastrointestinal problems: digestive tract issues can cause a dog’s breath to develop a bad smell. The issues can include poor dental hygiene, infections/tumors in the mouth, gastritis, persistent vomiting, and more.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHow to Help Your Dog
We recommend making an appointment for your dog with the vet. Sometimes the cause is obvious, such as if your dog’s eating cat food or trash. However, other times it’s quite difficult to discern what’s causing your dog’s breath to smell like cat food. The vet will be able to run tests and examine your dog for any underlying health issues that are causing his bad breath.
The good news is that when the underlying health issue is cured, your dog’s breath should go back to its normal “doggie breath” once again! Normal doggie breath is a sign of a healthy, happy dog!
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.
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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