In the same way that humans identify each other based on our physical appearance, animals use their smell as a key form of identification as well as communication. Through natural processes in their body, dogs can release oils and cells that can mean a number of things to the other animals in the vicinity. For instance, these smells can tell other animals “back away!”, “I want to mate”, or sometimes “I am sick.”
Dog’s breath smell
The smell of your dogs breath can be a sign of many different things. Although it doesn’t always mean your dog has an illness, it is important to recognize the different smells of your dog’s breath. Like any breath, your dog’s breath smell will not be pleasant after it eats. However, as long as its not an unbearable or extremely noticeable or irritable smell, you dog is probably fine.
Dog’s breath smells like dead animal
If your dog’s breath smells like dead animal, it can be a cause for concern. If your dogs breath smells rotten, it could be the sign of a number of illnesses. These illnesses include cavity, periodontal disease, gum bacteria/disease, diabetes, food stuck in its mouth, liver disease, and sometimes even kidney disease. Sometimes, your dog’s breath may smell awful because of something it ate, whether it was an actual dead animal, garbage, or cat litter. If you catch your dog eating cat poop, check out our article how to help your dog pass cat litter.
How to fix a dog’s breath that smells like dead animal
A temporary fix can be simply buying dog breath freshener or greenie pills that improve the smell of your dog’s breath. However, if your dog has a serious problem, this will only be a temporary fix. If the problem persists, you should contact your vet.
The best and cheapest way to fix a dog’s bad breath is to use Dental Fresh Water Additive. It costs less than $10 on amazon, and can easily be added to your dogs water bowl. This solution not only improves your dog’s breath, but it also removes plaque and tarter. It is essentially a dog tooth brush in a bottle.
Ways to keep your dog’s breath clean
You should have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned at least once a year. This is very important as it can prevent the spread of bacteria in your dog’s breath. Additionally, you should make sure that your dog is drinking a lot of water after he/she eats in order to wash the food down out of the mouth. If your dog’s breath smells terrible all of a sudden, there is no need to panic. Wait to see if the smell persists for a couple days before getting worried.