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Nothing is worse than when your dog comes in to lick your face, and his breath smells horrible! It’s possible a dog’s breath can smell like many types of things. In fact, some dogs develop breath that smells like urine!
Has your dog’s breath started to smell like urine? 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 urine and how you can help your dog. Let’s get started!
First Check This!
It’s possible that your dog could smell like urine because he’s rolling in pee, peeing on himself. It’s even possible your dog’s diet could make his breath smell like urine. However, there are many reasons a dog’s breath can smell bad.
One common cause of dogs developing urine-breath has been noticed by many pet parents. In these cases, the dogs were eating a dog food called the Natural Balance diet. Some ingredients in the food seem to be the problem. Is your dog eating this dog food?
Do you have a cat? Is it possible your kitty is marking his territory? Sometimes cats will urinate on a dog’s bed when marking their territory. This may make your dog smell like urine. Instead of your dog’s breath smelling like urine, it may be his fur that’s the problem. When your dog lays in his bed, the cat’s pee will get on his fur and possibly cause the horrible smell.
If your dog’s breath smells like urine and you’re not able to find the cause, then read on.
Other Reasons a Dog’s Breath Can Smell Like Urine
There are several reasons a dogs breath can smell like pee, including:
Kidney disease: another very common cause of urine breath in dogs is kidney disease. When a dog develops kidney problems, it means the kidneys are not able to function like normal. This may be due to dehydration, infections, kidney stones, and other conditions. The kidneys fail to filter out the waste toxins from the body. When this happens, the toxins build up in the dog, leading to foul-smelling breath and urine.
Liver disease is another medical condition that can cause a dog’s breath to smell like urine. A dog with this type of health issue may have repeated bouts of vomiting, lack of appetite, lethargy, yellow eyes, and gums.
Urinary tract infections: may also cause urine breath in dogs. Urinary tract infections (also called UTIs) develop when a part of the dog’s urinary tract has become infected. The infection may be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria or fungi.
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If you notice your dog’s breath smells like urine, and you can’t find the cause, then it’s time to call the vet. It may even be a good idea to call the vet anyway because urine breath is simply not normal in dogs.
The good news is that if the underlying medical condition is cured, your dog’s breath should return to normal. Then you and your canine fur baby can enjoy being close once again!
How is a Dog’s Urine Breath Treated?
Treatment depends on the vet and their diagnosis of your dog’s condition. Once your fur baby has started treatment for the condition, his breath should start to smell better and stop smelling like urine.
If you notice a sudden change in your canine companion’s breath (especially if your fur baby is older), be sure to call the vet right away. An early diagnosis and treatment can help your dog feel better and make his breath smell better.
Treatment may include prescription medications, a specialized diet, therapies, or surgery. However, it all depends on the cause and severity of the condition in your dog.
What Other Ways Can I Help My Dog’s Breath Smell Better?
Along with treating the underlying condition, you can improve your dog’s oral hygiene. You can start with an annual dental cleaning at the vet’s. In addition, brushing your dog’s teeth daily, along with dental chews, can help. Dental chews are a great way to break down plaque and improve your canine companion’s breath.
To help protect your dog’s organs keep his breathing smelling good, you can take these steps:
- Keep all medications (human and pet) out of your fur baby’s reach. Some medications are toxic to dogs and can cause organ damage.
- Keep all houseplants and food out of your dog’s reach. Some foods that are safe for humans are toxic for dogs. This includes raisins, onions, garlic, and many others. Houseplants can also be toxic, so it’s best to ensure these are out of your dog’s reach.
- Keep household chemicals locked up, including antifreeze, bleach, and others.
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Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS
This article has been reviewed and approved by an independent Veterinarian: Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a post graduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.
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