Phew! Sometimes, our beloved friend’s mouth can be really stinky. We use the term ‘doggy breath’ to describe the odor, but the truth is that odor actually shouldn’t be there. Doggy breath isn’t normal, so if you find yourself leaning away when your pet is panting, there’s something wrong.

If your dog generally doesn’t have bad breath and suddenly does, the cause is probably something he ate. Dogs aren’t always all that picky about what they eat, and if they were munching on chicken poop or chewing on a bully stick, their breath may be temporarily bad.

When your dog’s breath is always foul however, it’s time to look deeper. The most likely cause of bad breath in your dog is actually dental disease, a serious problem that can cause other chronic problems. The smell comes from plaque on your dog’s teeth. When plaque stays on the dog’s teeth and is never removed, it can harden into tartar. Tartar and plaque can cause problems in your dogs mouth, including inflammation, gum disease, and a bad smell. By the time you smell it, it’s likely that some level of disease has already set in.

The best course of action is to take your pet to the vet and have them examine your dog’s teeth. They can recommend what to do from there, which is likely a fresh start with a dental cleaning. After the cleaning, you can then maintain your dog’s teeth with regular tooth brushing to help keep the problem from happening again.

Your dog depends on you to stay healthy, and that includes caring for their teeth. Take good care of their mouth with regular brushing, and dental cleanings when necessary to help keep their breath pleasant, and their mouth pain free.

https://www.zukes.com/dog-blog/5-facts-and-fixes-for-doggy-breath/