4 Reasons Why Your Dog Has Bad Breath And How To Fix It

While bad breath is a common problem for humans, our canine friends are not immune to this embarrassing issue.

In fact, dog bad breath is one of the most common reasons people end up abandoning their pets at shelters.

I’ve put together a list of the most common causes of bad breath in dogs, as well as the easiest way to fix it.

What Causes Bad Breath

1. Your dog is not eating as well as he used to.

Animals don’t need as much protein and fat as humans do. 

When animals are in the wild, they have to spend most of their time eating. When you bring them home, however, they need to eat more. If they eat too much, it leads to gastrointestinal problems and a build up of waste in the intestinal tract. Since it takes a while for the waste to be eliminated, your dog might begin to pass it as smelly breath.

Read more: Absolute Dog Training: Tips and Tricks to Make Your Dog Your Best Friend

2. Getting a haircut can be stressful for dogs.

Haircuts can cause inflammation in the face and can cause a buildup of bacteria. 

Even if your dog is calm, getting a haircut can be traumatic.

3. Volatile Organic Compounds.

In dogs, the "smell" of a breath is mostly comprised of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

And one of the most common VOCs in dogs' breath is a class of organic compounds called furfural.

Furfural is produced by the breakdown of cornstarch, the first product the dog eats when eating a meal.

Cornstarch is an inexpensive product that can be found in many human foods like cereal, instant oatmeal, pancakes, biscuits, and other baked goods.

The smell of cornstarch is also often associated with other cornstarch-based products, including commercial detergents, cooking oils, and soaps.

A less obvious cause of dog breath is what's known as oxalic acid.

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4 Bad Breath Is Associated with Infections

Dogs that are showing signs of infections may be exhibiting signs of bad breath, such as white saliva coming from the mouth or lips. The bacteria that causes bad breath and gum inflammation are also found on the skin, eyes, ears, and other body parts.

Why do Dogs Have Bad Breath?

Your dog’s breath is filled with bacteria, viruses and other particles that build up on their tongue, inside their mouth, and in the lining of their cheeks.

These particles are known as plaque, and can cause bad breath if they accumulate and don’t get wiped away.

If your dog has bad breath, it’s usually because they’re not getting enough dental care.

If they have bad breath in particular, they are also more likely to have gum disease, which means they are more likely to get gum disease and possibly gum cancer.

How can I help my dog’s breath?

To help prevent your dog’s breath from getting any worse, you should brush and floss their teeth every day.

Another simple way to help your dog’s breath is to try to cut down on foods that can make it stink.

How To Fix A Dogs Bad Breath: 5 Tips That Will Make Them Smell much Better

A dog's breath can be both sweet and stinky. And dog breath is not only an odor problem. It can be a sign of something more serious. That's why it's important to learn the causes of bad dog breath and then find the best way to fix it.

Lets cover some of the most common causes of bad dog breath and share some of the best ways to fix it.

1. Don’t Feed Your Dog New Food

It’s no secret that bad breath is a sign that your dog’s digestive system is out of whack, which is a direct result of unbalanced diet.

And let’s face it, food rotting and decaying for a long time in your dog’s digestive tract can lead to pretty major health issues down the line.

If your dog is always eating the same dry dog food from the grocery store, it’s clear to see that he’s not getting enough fresh vegetables, fruit, or meats in his diet.

The harsh reality is that dogs have one major weakness — digesting vegetables.

If they ingest enough of it, it can cause them to develop bad breath.

To fix this problem, give your dog a weekly run of fresh food (and chew toys) to mix in with the dry kibble. This will help flush his system of the bad odors.

2. Do a Checkup

The first step in fixing a dog's bad breath is to find out what's wrong.

Look for anything unusual about the dog's mouth, including fissures on the palate and holes in the teeth.

If you find any of these conditions, your vet will be able to help you treat it and get your dog back to normal.

The most common cause of bad breath in dogs is inflamed gums caused by bacteria.

Natural Dog Health Care And Preventative Measures

There are a lot of really gross things dogs can eat, including various vegetables, plant material, meat and bone, dead things and feces. This can be a problem because for dogs, food is mainly made up of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, which is why bad breath is such a common problem.

Additionally, some dogs might have an allergic reaction to food they eat, which might cause bad breath.

Overuse of the tongue. By licking your dog’s tongue with your mouth, you’re causing saliva to mix with the food and spit up into his mouth.

Not licking properly. This includes licking the tongue for too long and letting it stick out. This encourages bacteria to spread quickly.

Stress. Just like in humans, stress can cause chronic mouth ulcers, and can also cause bacteria in the mouth to spread.