Why does my pet’s breath smell?
We’re a nation of pet lovers and who doesn’t love an affectionate lick or nuzzle from their furry companion? Receiving affection from our pets is a joy, apart from when their breath can literally take your breath away!
Smelly breath or ‘halitosis’ is most commonly caused by dental disease. You may notice some brown staining on the teeth, reddening of gums, drooling and sometimes difficulty when your pet chews hard biscuits/treats.
Some pets may not show any of these signs, besides bad breath; they might just appear quieter than normal or have some weight loss.
Your vet should carry out an oral examination as part of a general health check when they can then assess how healthy your pet’s mouth is.
Discussion will then take place as to whether any dental work is necessary.
It’s important to have an at-home oral hygiene routine for your pet, as prevention is always going to be better than cure.
Your vet can advise on the best options for you and your pet.
At times, a pet’s breath may exhibit a ‘fishy’ odour.
This is often associated with full anal glands; a problem that is quick and easy for your vet to treat.
In rare cases, pets can have bad breath if their organs are not functioning properly, namely, kidney disease.
This is the least common reason for bad breath in pets, but if you do notice your pet has smellier breath than normal it’s important to get it checked out for peace of mind.
Cats can also suffer with bad breath/halitosis and so it’s important to check the mouths of our feline friends too.