dog with kidney disease bad breath

Bad Breath in Dogs: Causes and Treatment

You may love getting kisses from your dog as a greeting when you get home, except when theyre accompanied by bad breath. Is it normal for a dogs breath to stink?

Bad dog breath can actually be a sign of a number of health issues, and some that you would never guess could be related to your dogs breath. Understanding why your dog has bad breath is the first step in appropriately treating not only the smell but the underlying cause.

Why Does My Dog Have Bad Breath?

In the past 10 years, dental hygiene in dogs has changed from occasional tooth extractions to yearly dental examinations and routine teeth cleaning. Preventative dental care options have become widely available, as well as the knowledge of what a dogs mouth can tell us about our canine patients. Bad breath has evolved from being a nuisance for pet parents to a veterinarians tool for diagnosing certain health issues.

Here are some of the most common:

• Dental or Gum Disease: The most common cause of bad breath (halitosis) in dogs is periodontal disease. Similar to humans, dogs with crowded teeth or crooked, misaligned teeth (malocclusions) may be at a higher risk for secondary dental disease; however, most dogs will develop some tartar or plaque buildup (dental calculus) or gingivitis at some point in their life. Dental disease develops when an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth forms a plaque, which leads to tartar buildup. Tartar can lead to inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). If enough tartar is allowed to build, hair and other debris can get stuck between a dogs gumline, adding to the development of bad breath.

• Something Stuck in Your Dogs Mouth (bone, stick, foreign body): Dogs fond of chewing on toys, ropes, and sticks are at greater risk of getting foreign material stuck in their mouths. Cloth materials tend to get stuck between the teeth, whereas sticks or other firm material such as chew toys may get wedged in the roof of a dogs mouth. Some foreign bodies, like splinters, can get stuck under the tongue or in the cheek and may be hard to see. In some circumstances, strings or linear foreign material may get hooked under the tongue, and the bad breath could be accompanied by not eating and vomiting.

• Kidney Disease: The kidneys function as the bodys filtration system. When theres underlying disease or kidney failure that causes the kidneys not to function, a dog may start to build up toxins called urea in their blood. The urea can make a dogs breath smell like ammonia or urine, which may be an indicator of serious kidney dysfunction. Excessive urea, called uremia, can cause ulceration in the mouth as well, which your vet may see on examination.

• Liver Disease: Bad breath along with yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) in conjunction with weight loss, poor appetite, and vomiting may indicate that your dogs liver may be affected. Along with the kidneys, the liver acts as a filter for the bodys toxins. When theres a problem with your dogs liver function, toxins can build, and this can show up as bad breath.

• Diabetes: When diabetes becomes unregulated or untreated for a long enough period of time, the body starts breaking down fat, creating molecules called ketones. Dogs that are producing ketones secondary to diabetes may have an acetone or sweet smell to their breath. Dogs with diabetes often have other symptoms such as weight loss, changes in appetite, and increased thirst and urination.

• Ate Something Toxic: Certain toxins like plants can cause rancid or a rotting smell in a dogs breath. Dogs who eat cigarettes may have a nicotine odor to their breath. There are hundreds of toxins present in the environment, and being able to detect what your dog may have been exposed to could help determine the right treatment.

• Ate Something Gross (non-food item): Puppies or adolescent dogs may be more inclined to eat feces of other dogs or be curious about what is in the cats litter box. Dog breath that smells like fecal matter may be linked to simply eating poop. Alternatively, dogs who eat household objects or toys can develop rotten-smelling breath and may vomit if they arent able to digest the foreign material.

• Oral Tumors: More common in older animals, the development of oral cancers or tumors can lead to bad breath. As masses grow, they can become infected, and parts of the tissues can start to die (necrose), leading to persistent bad breath despite good dental care. The most common oral tumors in dogs are melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and peripheral odontogenic fibromas.

• Dietary Deficiencies: Feeding your dog raw or home-cooked diets may disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth or gut. Imbalances of bacteria and increased likelihood of Salmonella overgrowth in a dogs gut caused by raw diets may contribute to bad breath. If you feed your dog a raw or home-cooked diet, try to consult with a veterinary nutritionist (or if not, your regular vet) to help prevent dietary deficiencies.

How to Get Rid of Your Dogs Bad Breath

If your dog has bad breath, your first step is to schedule a dental exam. If you allow a veterinary professional to routinely exam your dogs mouth, they can detect dental disease and other health issues earlier.

If your dog is prone to periodontal disease, routine cleaning may be needed to help prevent excessive tartar formation and frequent dental extractions (having teeth pulled).

Here are some other ways to improve your dogs oral health and keep their breath smelling better:

• Regular Brushing: Weekly to daily brushing with canine toothpaste and toothbrushes can be the most effective way to prevent plaque formation. Many dog toothpastes are flavored to be enticing to dogs.

• Dental Treats and Products: Dental treats can either help physically remove plaque as your dog chews or may contain additives that promote a healthy oral environment. Other products like dental water additives can be used to help mask bad breath as well as promote oral health. These are typically unflavored, and you simply add a small amount to your pets water dish each day.

• Dental Diets: There are dental diets made for dogs that can help reduce plaque buildup. They use a larger kibble size and a course texture to scrape along the tooth and remove plaque as your dog chews.

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) can be a useful resource in picking veterinary-recommended dental diets, treats, and supplements that are safe and effective.

Featured image: iStock.com/adamkaz

Bad Breath in Dogs FAQs

Are there home remedies to treat bad breath in dogs?

The only way to completely resolve your dogs bad breath is treating the underlying cause. However, there are products that can help to lessen the bad breath and prevent it from worsening. The Veterinary Oral Health Council has a list of recommended products that may help.

Can halitosis in dogs (bad breath) be cured?

Halitosis is a symptom of an underlying medical condition, and successful treatment depends on the underlying cause. Its commonly caused by dental disease, which can be treated, but halitosis frequently returns if dental disease recurs.

Do dogs with kidney disease have bad breath?

Kidney Disease When a dogs kidneys arent functioning properly they have trouble filtering toxins and waste materials which can cause them to build up in their body. Bad breath is a common symptom of kidney problems in dogs, especially when combined with pale gums or mouth ulcers.

What does a dogs breath smell like with kidney failure?

Bad breath Breath that smells like an outhouse can be seen in the advanced stages of renal failure in dogs. This is a result of the toxins that build up in the blood.

How do I get rid of my dogs fishy breath?

The simplest way to prevent bad dog breath is to brush your dogs teeth on a regular basis. Teeth brushing reduces plaque and promotes better oral hygiene, much as it does in humans, and with a little training, most dogs learn to enjoy having their teeth brushed.

Why does my dogs breath smell like rotten fish?

When plaque buildup turns into tartar an overabundance of bacteria can lead to bad breath. Halitosis, gingivitis, and periodontal disease all stem from bad oral care for dogs. An internal disease could also be the culprit. Kidney and liver failure can cause bad breath with a fishy smell.

Why does my dog smell like fish?

If your dog is emiting a fishy odor, the most likely cause is that the anal glands are impacted and need to be released. The anal sacs are the size of peas and are psoitioned on both side of the inside of your dogs rectum. These sacs have an oily substance that is released through your dogs excrement.

How do dogs act when their kidneys are failing?

Symptoms of Kidney Failure in Dogs Nausea and vomiting. Pale gums. Loss of balance, or stumbling. Chemical smell to breath.

What are the final stages of kidney failure in dogs?

After approximately 2/3 of the kidney tissue is destroyed, there is a rapid rise in waste products in the bloodstream and an apparent sudden onset of severe disease. The clinical signs of more advanced kidney failure include loss of appetite, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, and very bad breath.

How do I know what stage of kidney failure My dog is in?

While a diagnosis of renal disease or failure can usually be made based on physical examination, in addition to the blood and urine tests. Other tests may also be performed to check for underlying causes for renal disease and/or to discover which stage of renal disease your dog is experiencing.

Why does my dogs breath stink all of a sudden?

Potential causes for your dogs sudden bad breath Your dog just ate something unpleasant, like poop or something rotten and/or dead. A foreign object like a piece of a stick or bone (Dr. Myers has once even seen a LEGO) has become stuck in your dogs mouth and its now causing a draining sore.

How do you release a dogs glands?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni_mRYnk2_I

How do you know when your dogs glands need to be expressed?

1. Your dog is scooting on the carpet.
2. Your dog is licking his bottom a lot.
3. If your dogs glands are really full, they may leak out a stinky, pungent smell.

How fast does kidney failure progress in dogs?

Median survival time for IRIS Stage 1 dogs was over 400 days, Stage 2 ranged from 200 to 400 days, Stage 3 ranged from 110 to 200 days, and Stage 4 ranged from 14 to 80 days. Successful treatment of CKD delays disease progression, likely provides greater survival times, and increases patient quality of life.

Does kidney failure in dogs happen suddenly?

Summary of Kidney Failure in Dogs Acute kidney failure happens suddenly, and if caught and treated quickly, can be reversed. While there is no cure for chronic kidney failure, symptoms can be minimized with fluid therapy and diet changes.

What are the signs of a dogs organs shutting down?

• Prolonged Lethargy/Disinterest. This is the most common sign that the dying process has begun.
• Stops Eating/Drinking.
• Loss of Coordination.
• Incontinence.
• Labored Breathing.
• Seeking Comfort.

How do I make my dog comfortable with kidney disease?

Offer fresh food at each feeding. Make sure your dog always has access to clean, fresh water. Sometimes, dogs that have chronic kidney failure dont feel like eating. For them, it may help to warm food to just below body temperature, and to try hand feeding for the first few days of a new diet.

What should dogs with kidney disease not eat?

High salt (sodium) diets may increase blood pressure and may worsen kidney damage, so diets designed for pets with kidney disease are low in sodium. You should also avoid feeding high salt treats such as cheese, bread, deli meat, and many commercial dog and cat treats.

What are the symptoms of stage 3 kidney disease in dogs?

Some dogs with early Stage 3 chronic kidney disease have mild symptoms like intermittent loss of appetite, change in haircoat, or weight loss. Other dogs, especially those with creatinine values closer to 5, may feel quite unwell. Some dogs may vomit, have diarrhea, or be a lethargic dog.

What foods help repair kidneys in dogs?

For dogs with renal health issues, feed them a diet of high-quality protein with low phosphorus and sodium, and added omega-3 fatty acids, such as a mix of good quality meat, veggies like bell peppers, and either a supplement of omega-3s or fish, flax, sardines, or anchovies.

Can a dog recover from kidney failure?

Prognosis for Dogs With Kidney Disease Sadly, many dogs with acute renal failure will not survive more than several days. 6 However, if caught early enough and treated aggressively, some dogs can fully recover. Treatment generally involves intravenous fluid therapy and supportive medications.

What are the signs of kidney infection in dogs?

• Increased water intake and frequency of urination (often with only small amounts of urine)
• Difficulty in voiding urine.
• Pain during urination.
• Inappropriate urination (your house-trained dog may suddenly urinate anywhere inside your home)
• Fever.

How can you tell if a dog is diabetic?

1. Frequent urination (polyuria)
2. Drinking more water than usual.
3. Excessive appetite (polyphagia)
4. Sudden unexplained weight loss.
5. Vomiting.
6. Recurrent infections.
7. Poor coat.
8. Seizures.

What can you give a dog for stinky breath?

Give Your Dog Yogurt or speak with your vet about Probiotic Supplements. Some research has shown that the good, active bacteria found in yogurt and probiotics can help with stinky breath by killing odor-causing bacteria found in the mouth. Good bacteria can also help with digestive and other health issues!

What dog breeds need their glands expressed?

Certain breeds (usually on the small side) are also more likely to need monthly, manual expression of their glands: Chihuahuas, Toy and Miniature Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, Lhasa Apsos, Basset Hounds, and Beagles top the list.

Can dogs express their own glands by licking?

When dogs have problems with anal glands, they will scoot or lick excessively to try and get them to express naturally. Anal glands are two sacs that are located on either side of the rectum and secrete a fluid when an animal defecates or sometimes when they are frightened.

What happens if a dogs glands arent expressed?

The secretions need to be released when your dog does a bowel movement in order to flush out stored bacteria. When your dog defecates but the sacs are impacted, it gets trapped. Then an infection occurs, which can lead to an anal sac abscess, according to DVMs at VCA Animal Hospitals.