Does Your Dog Have Bad Breath in Santa Clarita, CA? Here are 4 Tips to Help

Dog breath is a common thing that people complain about, but did you know that you can do something about it? Usually bad breath in dogs is simply caused by poor oral hygiene, and this can be remedied by brushing your dog’s teeth on a regular basis. However, there may be sometimes that bad breath could be a sign of a more serious problem in dogs.

Feeding your dog a healthy and balanced diet, brushing your dog’s teeth regularly, and giving your dog dental chews are great ways to prevent bad breath and dental problems in your dog.

However, you will need to take your dog to the veterinarian if a dental condition has already developed or if your dog’s bad breath is caused by a different medical condition.

In this article we will be explaining all that you need to know about bad breath in dogs including what causes it and what you can do to treat it. In addition, we will be letting you know when you should see a vet about your dog’s smelly breath. Let’s get right into it!

Potential Causes for Bad Dog Breath

There are four possible causes for bad breath in dogs. The most common cause is poor oral hygiene. However, some other conditions have bad breath as a symptom even if you stay on top of your pet’s teeth cleanings. These include canine diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease. Here are all the potential causes for bad breath in dogs.

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

This is possibly the most common cause for bad breath in our pets, and this is usually because we are not brushing their teeth. Although many people do not think that their dog needs their teeth to be brushed regularly, it is the best way to prevent bad breath. It is also a great way to prevent dental problems in our dogs later.

Some common signs of dental disease along with bad breath in dogs are swollen or bleeding gums, excessive drooling, and having difficulty eating. We will get into how you can brush your dog’s teeth a little later in this article.

2. Diabetes

Bad breath can also be a sign of diabetes in dogs. However, this bad breath is usually accompanied with other symptoms. Some of the early symptoms of diabetes in dogs include things like an excessive thirst and increased urination, an increased appetite, and weight loss.

Of course, if you have noticed some of these early symptoms of diabetes in your dog then it is recommended that you take your dog to the vet as soon as possible for this. It is always better to get conditions like this treated as early as you can to prevent more serious complications of diabetes that can be life threatening.

3. Kidney Disease

In some cases, a dog’s bad breath can be caused by kidney disease as well. Kidney disease is a serious problem in animals and people, and it can lead to kidney failure if left untreated. As a result, it is always important to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible if you notice any strange symptoms or behaviors.

Some common signs of kidney disease in dogs besides bad breath include but may not be limited to:

• Lethargy
• Excessive thirst and increased urination
• Accidents
• Reduced appetite

4. Liver Disease

Liver disease can sometimes be the reason behind a dog’s bad breath. There are many potential causes for liver disease in dogs including various medical conditions and types of cancer. Oftentimes these conditions are genetic and can be prevalent in specific breeds. These breeds include but are not limited to West Highland Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, and Chinese Shar-Peis.

Here are some of the common symptoms of liver disease in dogs:

• Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Seizures
• Disorientation and confusion
• Personality and behavior changes
• Blindness
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• A swollen belly because of fluid retention

Due to how life-threatening liver disease and liver failure are, it is recommended that you take your dog to the vet immediately if his bad breath is paired with any of the above symptoms. Like with both kidney disease and canine diabetes it is always best to get liver disease diagnosed by your vet early on to prevent complications.

4 Tips to Help Your Dog’s Bad Breath

There are things that you can do to prevent bad breath in your dog. These include brushing your dog’s teeth, giving your dog dental treats and chew toys, feeding your dog a healthy diet, and taking your dog to the vet when necessary. Here are the four tips to help your dog’s bad breath.

1. Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

The first thing that you should do when trying to help your dog’s bad breath is to brush their teeth. It is important to note that you should never give your dog human toothpaste as they commonly contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs.

Instead, you should use a toothpaste that has been created specifically for dogs. In addition, there are both traditional dog toothbrushes and finger toothbrushes that can be used to brush your dog’s teeth. It is recommended that you start brushing your dog’s teeth as soon as possible.

This is because teeth brushing is a great way to prevent dental disease and plaque buildup in dogs, but it does not cure it after it has already developed.

2. Give Your Dog Dental Treats and Chew Toys

Dental treats and hard chew toys are great for removing tartar from your dog’s teeth. Although these are no replacement for brushing your dog’s teeth, it is a great addition to it.

3. Give Your Dog a Healthy Diet

Including things like sugar and other teeth damaging ingredients in your dog’s diet can increase their chances of having bad breath and dental problems. These things are usually very unhealthy for dogs as well. As a result, feeding your dog a balanced diet is a great way to keep their teeth and their bodies healthy.

4. Take Your Dog to the Vet When Necessary

As we have previously mentioned, bad breath in dogs can sometimes be caused by medical conditions. As a result, it is crucial that you take your dog to the vet if you suspect that they have something more than poor dental hygiene. In addition, having poor dental hygiene for a long time can cause dental disease and other dental problems that may need a vet’s attention.

Call Stevenson Ranch Veterinary Center

The team at Stevenson Ranch Veterinary Center can help with your dog’s bad breath! To find the best solution for your dog call (661) 799-0655 or book an appointment online.