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Halitosis (Bad Breath) in Dogs

Overview of Halitosis (Bad Breath) in Dogs

Halitosis, or bad breath, is an unpleasant odor coming from your dog’s mouth. It’s more than just “doggie breath” in that it is offensive.

There are several products on the market to help you deal with doggie breath including dog toothbrush and paste, dog treats that can help minimize tartar or freshen dog breath as welll as doggie breath drops. It is first important to understand and treat any underlying diseases that may be causing the foul odor.

Usually halitosis has oral causes, although sometimes it can be caused by other disease processes. Possible causes of bad breath in dogs include:

What to Watch For

Diagnosis of Halitosis in Dogs

Veterinary care should include diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of the bad breath and help guide subsequent treatment recommendations. In dogs, some tests may include:

Treatment of Halitosis in Dogs

Optimal therapy of any serious or persistent medical condition depends on establishing the correct diagnosis. There are numerous potential causes of halitosis and before any treatment can be recommended, it is important to identify the underlying cause. Initial therapy should be aimed at the underlying cause. This treatment may include:

Home Care

Home care recommendations will depend on the underlying cause of the problem. Some steps that you can take to help eliminate your dog’s bad breath include: