Dogs have bad breath and can’t even brush their teeth? That could be a sign of these diseases

Pet     9:02am, 26 June 2025

Don't look cute in some dogs, they keep all species away from each other when they grin.

Why? Bad breath! In fact, many times, it is because the owner does not provide it with daily oral care. But bad breath can also be caused by diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease and periodontal disease. So, if you find that your dog has bad breath, don’t take it lightly!

Dental disease is one of the number one enemies of dog health today. Bad breath is a health warning issued by the dog's body. If the dog has bad breath because it is not brushing its teeth, there are no other symptoms except the unpleasant odor emitted from the mouth. However, if it is bad breath caused by periodontal disease, there may be symptoms such as mouth scratching, anorexia, loose teeth, excessive drooling, and even blood in saliva.

What causes bad breath in dogs? What to do if bad breath in dogs?

Causes of bad breath in dogs?

1. Oral hygiene and periodontal disease

The most common cause of bad breath in dogs is poor oral hygiene, which leads to periodontal disease. If the owner does not brush the dog's teeth regularly, plaque will accumulate and breed bacteria, causing bad breath to the dog. Over time, poor oral hygiene can also lead to periodontal disease. Excessive plaque and tartar can push the gums away from the teeth, exposing new areas where bacteria grow. This not only inflame the dog's gums, but also leads to tooth decay, infection, tissue destruction, teeth loss, and even abscesses.

2. Bad eating habits

If the dog often flips through the trash can and picks up unclean things on the ground to eat, it will also cause bad breath. In addition, dogs' feces are also one of the causes of bad breath. Dogs may not only eat their own feces, but may also eat other dogs and cats’ feces. This is not only odor, but also unhygienic.

3. Diabetes

If you find that your dog's bad breath has a sweet or fruity smell, and you often drink water and urinate, you must take the dog to the hospital for examination. Because diabetes is a serious but treatable disease.

4. Kidney Disease

If the dog's tone smells like urine, it is a warning sign for kidney disease. Kidney disease is very serious and may also be a sign of a more serious disease.

5. Liver Disease

If the dog has strong bad breath and is accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite and yellow gums, it may be a liver problem. Both kidney disease and liver problems can be precursors to some serious illnesses. Therefore, when a dog is found to have the above symptoms, it should be sent to the hospital for examination in time to avoid delaying treatment.

6. Breeding Causes

Small dogs or short-nose and flat-faced dog breeds, such as pugs, Boston Terriers, and Pekingese, are often the most susceptible to periodontal diseases and other oral diseases because of their dense teeth.

7. Dogs love to lick their butts

If the dog's anal glands are swollen, it will often lick its anus due to discomfort. Thus, anal fluid will enter its mouth, which may also make the dog's tone very bad. If this is the case, if you want to remove bad breath, you have to squeeze the anal glands for it.

Measures to prevent bad breath from dogs

The easiest and most necessary thing to prevent bad breath from dogs is to brush your teeth. Brushing teeth can reduce plaque and provide better oral hygiene. In addition, prepare some chewing toys for the dog to prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar, and can also help the dog relieve boredom, but choose the size and age of chewing toys that are suitable for the dog. Small dogs need more dental care than large dogs because they have higher dental teeth, plaque and tartar are more likely to accumulate and have a higher chance of periodontal disease. So make sure to provide dogs with plenty of chewing toys since childhood and brush their teeth regularly.

A balanced and nutritious diet is also important for preventing bad breath. Don't give your dog too much food containing cereals or carbohydrates, such as wheat, rice, and corn. You can try changing dog food to meat food that suits them. In addition, creating a reasonable exercise plan for them and taking them to the veterinarian for regular checkups can help prevent systemic diseases such as diabetes.

The shoveler finds that the dog has bad breath, don’t rush to dislike it! In fact, many times, there is nothing that cannot be solved by brushing one tooth. If so, brush it a few more times!