Bad breath, or halitosis, is a common problem in companion dogs. The offensive odor may originate in your dog’s mouth or may come from his lungs or digestive tract. Whatever the cause, dogs bad breath is certain to make life unpleasant for everyone around your pet. In most cases, the problem is easily remedied once you discover and treat the underlying cause of the unpleasant odor.
Finding the Cause of a Dogs Bad Breath:
Mild bad breath is likely a result of trapped and decaying food and may go away with better routine dental care. Significant bad breath¾the type that causes you to turn your head away and gag when your pet offers a kiss¾requires veterinary attention.
After a thorough medical history and physical examination, your veterinarian may consider a number of possible causes for your dog’s bad breath. An oral examination and dental X-rays, which may need to be performed under anesthesia, will help uncover dental abscesses, periodontal disease, and other problems that can contribute to or cause foul breath.
If no dental cause is uncovered, your veterinarian will probably order imaging tests and blood work to check for lung cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, stomach ulcers, and other problems that can cause bad breath. If your dog is currently taking any supplements or pet medications, a change in dose or drug may be necessary to determine their role in your dog’s bad breath.
Treatment and Prevention of Canine Halitosis:
Treatment of bad breath in dogs depends on the underlying cause of the symptom. A deep dental cleaning may be sufficient to improve your dog’s breath if the source of the problem is in his mouth. If kidney or lung disease is responsible for your dog’s bad breath, treatment will focus on treating those diseases. To minimize symptoms in the meantime, offer your dog a treat designed to clean teeth and improve breath odor like CET Dental Chews.
Whatever the cause, you can improve most cases of bad breath with daily dental care that cleans the teeth and gums and boosts your pet’s immune system. Take your dog in for dental checkups regularly, even in the absence of symptoms, and treat damaged teeth and other problems promptly to prevent complications.




