Why Does Your Dog Have Bad Breath?

Did you catch a whiff of bad breath in your dog?

Almost every dog likes to lick faces or kiss. It's their most natural way of showing affection and love. Generally, if your furry friend has stinky breath, giving good oral care like brushing regularly and feeding a fresh-food diet might suffice. The cleaning of teeth is essential for all dogs above the age of two.

Puppies mostly have a sweet-smelling breath as they do not have a build-up of the bacteria yet in their mouth. However, bad breath is common in smaller dog breeds, older dogs, and breeds with short snouts.

But, if your dog is healthy and yet its breath smells like it ate some cat poop or garbage, it's a pressing health concern.

Here are some common causes of bad breath in dogs

Dental or Gum Disease

Bad breath is medically known as halitosis. The common reason for it is bacteria built-up/plaque that produces unpleasant odors. A neglected plaque can cause

●     irritation

●     inflammation of gums

●     gum diseases like gingivitis 

Untreated gum diseases can lead to severe health repercussions for your dog. The other dental health reason for bad breath in your dog can be infections due to tooth decay. Therefore, make an appointment with your vet (even if it's in-between visits) if you suspect a dental issue in your dog.

Toxic or foreign substances

Some dog breeds like running around and eating anything, including things that are bad for them.

Does your dog do it too?

Such foreign objects can get stuck in their teeth leading to bad breath. Some toxic substances can smell bad too. If you notice your four-legged friend has ingested toxic substances like antifreeze or a rodenticide, call your vet immediately.

Gastrointestinal Issues

An imbalance in gut microbes can cause stomach and digestive issues. Furthermore, the overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can cause smelly gas, which gets absorbed into the bloodstream leading to bad breath in your dog.

Take your pet to a vet, if you notice any other unusual signs, like

●     Changes in appetite

●     Nausea or vomiting

●     Changes in the stool

Diseases and Health Conditions

Some diseases and health conditions can also cause bad breath in your dog. A breath test and timely dental checkups can detect the early onset of these diseases.

●     Diabetes: The breath of your dog would smell unusual, sweet, almost fruity, or like nail polish remover due to increased sugar levels in saliva.

●     Liver Diseases: If you find the dog's breath smells musty or like a dead animal, it's a sign that the liver is inefficiently filtering out toxins.

●     Kidney Diseases: If the dog's breath smells like urine or fishy, it can be due to high urea levels in their body. It's a sign the kidneys are not filtering out toxins appropriately.

●     Sinusitis or Rhinitis: Does your dog have a cold? When your dog breaths through the mouth, it causes it to go dry and result in stinky breath.

●     Oral Tumors: It causes blood vessels to break up and turn into dead areas. The bacteria growing in it can also cause bad breath in a dog.

Conclusion

Maintain good oral hygiene and don't neglect bad breath issues in your dog. To know more about it, post your questions and comments below.

How To Make Life Easier On Your Senior Dog

As a pet parent, we all have to bear the irreplaceable loss of bond with our pet someday. Our love for them grows more each day, and as they become seniors, it's time we make life easier for them.

All dog breeds like humans face health issues as they age - such as Pitbulls have cataracts, Dobermans have liver disorders, Labrador Retrievers face eyesight issues, hearing loss, and suffer from arthritis, and so on.

Therefore, ensure to take care of the health of your pet right from the beginning. Regular exercise, annual checkups, and giving a balanced diet with calcium in dog food can go a long way to help life get better in their senior years.

Here are some specific ways to make life easier for your senior dog

1. Make at least bi-annual appointments with your veterinarian

If you have a dog breed aged six years above, get your pet checked at least every six months.

The idea is to catch the problem before your dog gets sick, and things become complicated!

We suggest consulting a veterinarian and get these test done routinely ( in 6-months gaps)

●     Full body examination from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail.

●     Blood chemistry test and a complete blood count test

●     Urinalysis test

●     Nutritional Analysis

●     Fecal test for parasites

2. Better Bedding

Aging can cause issues of arthritis in your pets. Therefore, get quality calcium-rich food for dogs and provide them orthopedic, comfortable beds to relax. You can add a memory foam mattress or get a raised bed depending upon your dog breed, making it easier for them to change positions in bed.

3. Exercise

Being a pet parent of a senior dog does not mean you can leave exercises out of your schedule; the body movements are essential! Moderate exercise can lubricate their joints as well as maintain their muscle mass. So take them on regular walks and avoid stairs if your pet has arthritis or cardiac issues.

4. Handicap Accessibility

We are sure you loved when your dog used to jump on your couch or bed in one go!

At present, aging can make jumping hard for them. If you want to re-enjoy old moments, just purchase, or build a ramp/steps that helps them get onto the bed or couch. It even can help them get into the car.

5. Safety Considerations

Slipping and falling can be risky for your senior dogs! 

Apart from giving calcium on dog food, for strengthening bones, check the floor tiles in your house. If they are slippery, get rubber or silicon slip-on nail covers for them. It prevents slips and falls for all senior dog breeds.

6. Elevated Food Bowls

If your dog struggles with joints and bone issues, elevated food bowls can help them eat comfortably. It puts a lesser strain on their neck, hips, shoulders, and joints. It's an excellent option for those dog breeds suffering from arthritis, orthopedic conditions, joint disorders, sore joints, or spinal conditions.

Conclusion

Start adopting these specific ways to make life easier for your senior dog breeds. If you need a more holistic approach to the pet-healthcare, leave your questions and comments below.