Your lifestyle directly reflects your dog’s lifestyle, especially eating habits, exercising, and even resting time throughout the day. However, your health needs can be extremely different.
Dogs rely heavily on opening their mouth to change and adjust their body temperature and enhance other senses like smell, which is the reason why many pups pant. Unfortunately, this panting could come with bad breath, which could become a problem for your household. Learn four reasons why your dog could have bad breath and how to fix this issue.
Kidney Disease
Every organ inside a body connects with other organs, and what may seem like an unrelated symptom could be the main problem. Your dog’s smells, whether from their waste or their breath, can be key indicators of a much deeper organ issue.
Kidney disease will prevent the adequate processing of toxins and waste material, which could lead to stomach and tract infections. You probably know what your dog’s breath smells like; if you perceive a chemical odor, you must immediately schedule an appointment with your pup’s vet.
Oral Health
This issue is one of the most common causes of bad breath because most owners do not pay attention to their pet’s oral hygiene. Some dog food brands claim cleaning characteristics that mitigate tartar buildup, but the idea that kibble can maintain your pup’s teeth is one misconception about pet dental health.
Bad breath can stem from gum disease, oral infections, or tooth decay. Scheduling regular dental cleanings can help avoid these issues, and check-ups are perfect opportunities to discuss oral care with your dog’s vet.
Dietary Habits
Sometimes eating something out of the normal routine could cause your dog’s bad breath for a while without contributing to further problems. Your dog could have bad breath from eating something from the trash without you noticing or due to a reaction to new dog food. A change in diet could take up to a week to adjust. Keep in mind that dogs can lick, sniff, and taste anything they can get their paws onto.
Dog Diabetes
Learning that your dog has diabetes is not easy news, but it is better than not knowing that your pet needs help. This disease will cause dogs to produce molecules called ketones. The smell is very similar to nail polish remover; if you notice this smell, call your vet to determine if your pup needs to visit an urgent care animal hospital.
