A pretty common problem in pets is bad breath, also known as halitosis. While the reason isn’t always a serious one, in some cases it can be a sign of serious health issues. Reasons for a bad odour from your pet’s mouth can range from dental problems, to health issues such as kidney failure, and because of this, it’s always advised to try and get to the bottom of your pet’s bad breath. So what can cause your pet to have a bad breath?
Dental problems
A common reason for bad breath in pets are dental problems. And while in some cases these problems are very obvious when opening the pet’s mouth by visual indicators such as tartar build-up, in other cases the dental problems are less obvious on first sight.
Poor oral hygiene will lead to a build-up of tartar and plaque, which harbours the bacteria that cause bad breath. When dental problems are minor, the smell from a pet’s mouth is usually minor, but will become stronger when dental problems are left untreated and develop in more serious issues, such as periodontitis, the receding of gums, inflamed gums, cavities, oral infections, and in some cases pus formation. Oral tumours can also lead to a foul smell from your pet’s mouth.
Dental health is one of the most overlooked areas by owners when it comes to the care of their pet, and issues are often missed until they are in advanced stages. Dental problems not only can become irreversible when missed, they can progress to stages where the bacteria may migrate to liver, kidney, and heart, and cause potentially fatal failures in these organs.
Some pets are more prone to dental problems, such as small and snub nosed breeds because the teeth are closer together. To ensure your pet stays happy and healthy, it’s important to keep on top of the dental hygiene of your pet, and treat any issues with their teeth as soon as possible.
Diabetes, Kidney & Liver disease
Some diseases can lead to certain smells from your pet’s mouth. Kidney disease can lead to a breath that smells of ammonia, and as the kidneys become incapable of adequately removing the waste from your pet’s bloodstream, the build-up of waste will cause the ammonia smell to worsen. Other symptoms of kidney disease are increased drinking and urination (indoor soiling), change of appetite, weight loss, weakness, dullness, pale gums, vomiting and/or diarrhoea, sudden blindness, and ulcers in the mouth.
Another disease that can result in a specific odour from your pet’s mouth is diabetes. Pets with diabetes will burn fat instead of sugar, which results in the body creating ketones. These ketones can cause a fruity and sweet smell from the mouth of your pet. Other symptoms of diabetes are increased drinking and urination (indoor soiling), chronic infections, cloudy eyes, change in appetite, and walking or standing unusually.
Liver disease can also result in bad breath as a reduced liver function will result in your pet not being able to filter out toxins in the body, resulting in a foul odour from the mouth. Other symptoms of liver disease are: change in appetite, yellow gums & eyes, vomiting and/or diarrhoea, change of stool colour, increased drinking and urination (indoor soiling), unstable legs, weight loss, build-up of fluid in the stomach, and overall weakness.
Gastrointestinal issues
Gastrointestinal issues, such as acid reflux & gastro-oesophageal disease, the presence of harmful bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract, and/or an imbalance in gut flora, are all reasons why your pet can have bad breath. Malabsorption disorders and conditions like pancreatitis can also lead to a foul odour from your pet’s mouth. Digestive issues can be serious and should be investigated by a veterinarian.
Eating Habits
Some pets have eating habits that can create a foul smell from their mouth. For dogs, human and cat waste are often considered a delicacy, and can lead to an awful smell from your pet’s mouth when ingested. Certain toxins in plants can also cause a foul smell from your pet’s mouth when ingested. Fragments of items that get stuck between the teeth of your pet, such as pieces of stick or bone, can also lead to stinky breath.
Conclusion
While a bad breath doesn’t always indicate a serious problem in your pet, it’s a symptom that needs further investigation to determine the cause, and start treatment if necessary. Bad breath is commonly caused by dental problems, but in some cases can have more serious origins such as gastrointestinal issues, liver or kidney disease and diabetes. In some cases, a pet might ingest something that creates the foul smell, such as when consuming human or pet waste.
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