Eating something unpleasant can give your dog bad breath – whether they raid the rubbish bin, nibble on a fish washed up on the beach, or steal the cat's food! Usually, this odour will pass by itself, but giving your dog some water and brushing their teeth will help get rid of the smell quicker.
The simplest way to prevent bad dog breath is to brush your dog's 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 dog's breath smell like fish? A dog's breath can rarely be described as fresh or pleasant, but if your dog smells of fish then it could be a sign of dental issues (infection, tooth decay, abscesses or gingivitis), digestive problems, kidney disease or diabetes.
Baby carrots, sliced apples (without the seeds), cucumbers and celery are low-calorie, rich in nutrients, safe for dogs and have that tooth-cleaning crunch that is so helpful for chasing away bad breath.
Chronic bad breath may indicate a bigger health problem. Most often, it's caused by dental or gum disease, and small dogs are especially prone to plaque and tartar. However, ongoing bad breath can indicate medical problems in a pet's mouth, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract or organs.
Dogs have two anal glands bordering their anus—one at five and one at seven o\'clock. When these glands \'are expressed\' they empty out a very pungent fishy odor. As your dog proceeds to clean himself with his tongue, this odor transfers to their mouth.
Fishy Breath May Be a Sign of Kidney Failure
Fishy breath isn't always from seafood: A mouth that smells like fishy-odor urine, similar to ammonia, may indicate kidney failure. The kidneys are responsible for removing toxic chemicals from the blood by creating urine.
Trimethylaminuria symptoms can be present from birth, but they may not start until later in life, often around puberty. The only symptom is an unpleasant smell, typically of rotting fish – although it can be described as smelling like other things – that can affect the: breath.
If you notice a fishy smell, call your veterinarian. Your dog may simply need his anal glands manually emptied, or expressed, which should resolve the odor. Some dogs, especially small dog breeds, require that their anal glands be expressed regularly.
Like bones, crunchy foods such as carrots, apples and celery can improve your dog's breath by removing odor-causing bacteria from their teeth. When chewed, these foods act not unlike a toothbrush, scrubbing away hard-to-reach food particles and built-up plaque.
Trimethylaminuria, or fish odor syndrome (FOS), is a condition characterized by the presence of trimethylamine (TMA)—a tertiary amine whose odor is described as resembling that of rotting fish—in the urine, sweat, and expired air.
A Fishy Smell
The smell can come from loose or frayed wires or cords, overloaded circuits, faulty outlets, incorrectly sized breakers or fuses, or overheated electrical shielding or insulation. If they are not addressed quickly and properly, these problems could result in a house fire.
Electrical shielding, wires, and other plastic components emit a “fish” or “urine” smell when exposed to high heat. If you smell something fishy, go around your home and look for outlets and other electrical equipment that looks burnt or melting.
A strong fishy smell that won't go away is worth seeing a health care provider about. Fishy smells are associated with a type of vaginitis called bacterial vaginosis. Health care providers can prescribe medications to treat it.
A fishy odor (assuming you haven't eaten any fish) or the smell of ammonia. This is often related to kidney disease and increased urea levels. A fruity smell, specifically if you are diabetic. This indicates an imbalance in blood sugar.
Poor Dental Hygiene: This is the most common cause of bad breath in dogs, and the resulting bad breath tends to grow worse over time as your dog's oral hygiene worsens. As plaque and tartar build up in your dog's mouth, the bacteria create a stronger odor that will become more noticeable to pet owners.
Excess carbohydrates and sugar → more tartar. More tartar → more bad bacteria, and bad breath. PLUS, the carbohydrates feed bacteria in the mouth that can nestle below the gumline (ew).
Dogs with liver failure often have breath that smells like a dead animal. Some of the symptoms that are present in liver disease include: Vomiting.
Respiratory Problems and Bad Breath
Dogs with sinus issues, chronic nasal infection and even some cancerous tumors can lead to bad breath. Nasal conditions may leave amounts of pus in the nose which breaks down over time and drips down the back of the throat leading to stinky breath.