Dog Dental Care and Bad Breath: Causes and Fixes
Bad breath is the most common sign of dental disease in dogs, and dental disease is the most common problem vets find in adult dogs. Most of the time the cause is plaque. Occasionally the smell is the first clue to a kidney, liver or blood sugar problem, so it pays to know the difference.
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Why a dog’s breath smells
A healthy dog’s mouth smells mild, a bit like food and dog. A sour, rotten or sharp smell means bacteria are at work. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that coats the teeth within hours of a meal. If it isn’t brushed off, it hardens into tartar in a few days, and the bacteria underneath give off sulfur compounds. Those compounds are what you smell.
Dental disease is extremely common. Vet sources put it at more than 80 percent of dogs over age three. Small breeds and flat-faced dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Pugs and Bulldogs, tend to get it earlier because their teeth are crowded and trap food.
What different smells can mean
Think of the smell as a clue, not a diagnosis. Rotten or sour breath with brown tartar and red gums points to the mouth. A smell that is sweet, like nail polish remover, or sharp like urine, can come from elsewhere in the body, because the lungs release some of what the blood carries.
Any sudden change deserves a call to your vet, especially if your dog is also drinking more, vomiting, losing weight or has yellow gums.
| Smell | Likely cause | How fast to act |
|---|---|---|
| Rotten, sour, with brown tartar | Periodontal disease | Book a dental exam |
| Urine or ammonia | Kidney disease | See a vet within a day or two |
| Sweet or fruity | Diabetes (ketones) | See a vet within a day |
| Foul, with vomiting and yellow gums | Liver disease | Same day |
| Feces | Eating stool, rarely an obstruction | Vet if vomiting or straining |
| Metal or blood | Bleeding gums or mouth injury | Within a day or two |
Keeping teeth clean at home
Daily brushing with dog-specific toothpaste is the best prevention. Never use human toothpaste, because dogs swallow it and many brands contain ingredients that aren’t safe for them. If brushing isn’t possible, wiping the teeth with gauze every couple of days still helps.
Dental chews, water additives and dental diets can slow plaque. Products with the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal have been tested for it. None of them remove tartar that has already set. That takes a professional scale and polish under anesthesia, with X-rays to check below the gumline.
Common questions
Is bad breath in dogs normal?
A mild doggy smell is normal. A strong, sour or rotten smell isn’t. It usually means plaque and gum disease, and it can occasionally point to kidney, liver or blood sugar problems. A vet exam is the way to tell which.
How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?
Daily is best, because plaque turns into tartar within a few days. Even three or four times a week is far better than nothing. Use a dog toothpaste and start slowly so your dog accepts it.
Do dental chews cure bad breath?
They can reduce plaque and freshen breath, but they don’t remove existing tartar and they don’t treat infected gums. If the smell is strong, a vet check and possibly a professional cleaning come first.
Reviewed by Winzah, Editor, on . How we research and check articles.