Dogs are often observed to have bad breath, and many paw parents think it’s normal. People think that it’s ok for dogs to not brush their teeth as animals really don’t brush their teeth. This makes them ignore the bad breath of their fur baby but in fact this bad breath can be an indication of a serious health issue. Have you ever wondered if this bad breath is dogs bad breath from stomach.
Through our blog, we will provide you with all the required information about a dog’s bad breath. We will try to aware you of how digestive issues too can lead to bad breath in dogs along with the ways to prevent it.
Dogs Bad Breath From Stomach
If your dog is facing the issue of bad breath[1] then it can be due to stomach issues. Here are the stomach issues that cause bad breath in dogs:
Upset stomach
Dog having the problem of upset stomach can have the issue of bad breath. Due to an upset stomach, there is excessive production of gas and fermented food. This gas and fermented food leads to the release of compounds containing sulfur and odorous gases. These gases are released through burping which causes bad breath in the dog.
Reflux and vomiting
Just like humans dogs too experience gastric reflux and vomiting. This reflux leads to the food and acid in the stomach reaching the mouth. It also includes undigested food and gases that leave an unpleasant odour resulting in bad breath from the dog’s mouth.
Food intolerance
There are certain food which causes food intolerance in the dog. If you are giving your dog a specific diet and it has some ingredient that does not suit your dog’s health then it causes food intolerance in them.
Food intolerance in dogs disrupts their digestive tract and results in upset stomach and other digestive issues. It leads to constipation, diarrhoea and vomiting in dogs which further results in bad breath of the dog.
Bacterial growth
A gut imbalance in the dog leads to the growth of bacterial growth in the dog. This growth of bacteria produces sulfuric compounds and gases in the dog’s intestine. These gases when released through the dog’s mouth as belching or flatulence cause bad breath in them.
Medical condition
Often medical conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, parasitic infection, intestinal worms or gastrointestinal cancers can also be the reason for bad breath in dogs.
How To Prevent Dog’s Bad Breath
Here’s how you can prevent bad breath in dogs:
Oral hygiene
To prevent bad breath in dogs make sure you maintain their oral hygiene by regularly brushing their teeth. To brush the dog’s teeth you can use the pet-friendly toothpaste available.
Brushing the teeth frequently prevents tartar and plaque build-up, this further reduces the bad breath in dogs.
Another way to maintain a dog’s oral hygiene is regular dental check-ups. Take your dog for a dental check on a regular basis, this will help you to identify serious dental problems beforehand. It will also keep your dog’s oral hygiene well-maintained.
Diet
Provide your dog with a good and complete nutritious diet. A healthy diet will help to maintain the dog’s gut health and keep their digestive tract intact. A dog eating a healthy meal tends to suffer less from the digestive issues.
Apart from providing your dog with a nutritious meal avoid giving them treats too often. If possible choose a healthy treat option for your dog like fruits and crunchy veggies.
As mentioned by Riley Shugg, MS, DVM in petmd, "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 dog’s 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."
Dental chews
There are several types of dental chews available to clean dog’s teeth easily. These dental chews are consumable and cause no harm to your dog. These dental chews are formulated in such a way that they deep cleanse your dog’s teeth without hurting them.
Not only dental chews there are other dental products too available that easily. Other dental products like dental wipes, and dental spray easily clean your dog’s teeth without irritating them.
Natural remedies
The natural remedies to clean your dog’s teeth are using coconut oil, parsley, mint and yoghurt. These natural ingredients keep the dog’s breath fresh. But while using these natural remedies to cleanse your dog’s teeth make sure your dog is not allergic to them.
When to Seek Veterinary Care for Bad Breath
Here’s when you should seek veterinary care for bad breath for your dog:
- If the bad breath in the dog is persistent for a long period of time.
- Even after regular dental cleanup, the dog’s breath still smells bad.
- If the dog’s bad breath turns bad to worse.
- Gum bleeding or swollen or inflamed gums.
- Bad breath along with symptoms like lack of appetite, lethargy, vomiting or jaw pain.
FAQs
Is Dogs bad breath from stomach
A dog’s bad breath can sometimes point to underlying medical conditions, such as digestive system troubles. Even while dental problems are the most common cause of bad breath, if your dog seems healthy overall, there’s a chance that their stomach or gut health is the source of their foul smell.
How do you fix rotten dog breath?
It’s essential to locate and treat the underlying cause of dog bad breath. Regularly brushing your dog with toothpaste designed for dogs will help prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Add some fresh produce to their diet this will help to clean their teeth naturally.
What ingredient in dog food causes bad breath from stomach?
Due to their effects on a dog’s digestive tract, several substances in dog food might cause bad breath. Bad breath may result from a dog’s inability to properly digest some forms of protein. Despite the benefits of fibre, an imbalance can harm the bacteria in your gut and cause foul breath.
What home remedy is good for dog breath?
Your dog’s breath can be improved with a number of natural solutions. Herb parsley does wonders for breath freshening. You might include some finely chopped leaves in your dog’s food. To ensure that your dog’s bad breath isn’t a sign of a more serious health problem, frequent check-ups with a vet and sufficient dental care are still necessary. While these solutions can help control bad breath, they cannot replace them.
Can digestive issues cause bad breath in dogs?
It is true that digestive problems can lead to bad breath in dogs. Digestion issues can cause an imbalance in the bacteria in your gut, which may interfere with digestion and cause bad breath. Dog breath can also be caused by conditions including cancers affecting the stomach or intestine, inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders, or stomach ulcers.
Conclusion
We hope that through our blog, “Dogs Bad Breath from Stomach” we have made you understand the reason how digestive issues result in bad breath of the dog. It is very important to understand the dog’s health. Like how bad breath in a dog can be an indication of stomach-related health issues.
If you notice even the slightest change in a dog’s behaviour or health it is really important to consult a vet. A vet might be able to guide you well regarding your furbaby’s health. Even if the bad breath in a dog is not related to stomach issues still oral hygiene must be maintained or it can give rise to digestive issues.
Reference:
- Burke, A. (2024b, April 3). How to get rid of stinky dog breath. American Kennel Club.
