One of the most common problems in dogs is bad breath. Most of the time, a dog owner will notice this and may be surprised and curious as to what could be causing the bad breath in their dog. The truth is that his bad breath could be a variety of minor to moderate issues. However, if you don’t properly take care of your dog’s bad breath issues, it could lead to more serious medical problems of the digestive tract, oral cavity, and even respiratory tract. Following are some possible causes of bad breath in dogs.
Tartar Buildup
In many cases, a dog will develop the problem of bad breath as a result of tartar buildup in their mouth. Basically, this is solidified plaque, which is formed on the teeth/gums by the constant flow of minerals from their saliva.
Dental Disorders
Dental issues, especially gum diseases or periodontal disease, can cause bad breath in dogs. The term for these diseases is “Gingivitis” and can result in serious infections to the periodontal tissues in puppies and adult dogs. Therefore, it’s critical to fix the problem when you first catch it instead of ignoring it.
Bacteria
Unfortunately, there are tons of bacteria that collect between the gums and teeth of your dog every single day. If you are not brushing their teeth properly on a regular basis, this can lead to a stink breath.
Gastrointestinal Diseases
There are some specific gastrointestinal disorders that can have an effect on a dog’s oral hygiene and can end up leading to some serious gum disorders. If the foods that are causing these issues can be identified, you can remove them from his diet, and resolve the issue.
In addition to gastrointestinal diseases, experts have also determined that kidney diseases and diabetes are also potential reasons for bad breath in your pets.
However, when you notice that your dog has really bad breath and nothing you do seems to resolve it, get in touch with your vet. After all, he/she is an expert and can help you get to the root of the problem and prevent it from happening in the future.