Pee-yew! No one likes to give their dog a kiss only to recoil from how smelly their breath is. Bad breath, or halitosis, is a condition in dogs characterized by a foul odor from the oral cavity.
Sometimes the onset of bad breath can be sudden (which is usually not a cause for concern), but chronic cases of bad dog breath could be a sign of a more serious issue. These are typically presented with other symptoms such as drinking and/or urinating more, vomiting, or a change in color in the gums.
Learn more about bad breath:
Pro tips for visiting the veterinarian:
- Any kind of dental cleaning that doesn’t require your dog to go under general anesthesia will not address the underlying cause of bad breath.
- Bad breath requires urgent veterinary attention if your dog is showing other signs such as inappetance, yellow gums, and increase in drinking/urinating.
- Don’t use human toothpaste as it is likely toxic to dogs.
- Any oral health product for your dog should have the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of approval.