Why Does My Dog's Breath Smell? Causes and Care
Vet verified. Written by Corinne Homer, Copywriter. Reviewed by Elle Padgham, Communications Lead.
Persistent bad breath is not just a cosmetic problem. Plaque, gingivitis, periodontal disease, a damaged tooth, something trapped in the mouth or a medical condition can change odor. Freshening the smell should never hide pain, bleeding or disease.
We love to see our dogs smiling broadly, mouths open... but dodgy dog breath can really hit when you're caught in the line of fire. Dogs aren't exactly known for having breath that smells of summer fruits, but it shouldn't be bad enough to make you wince - in fact, it should smell quite neutral. If it isn't, there could be an underlying problem.
If you are somewhat struggling to look lovingly into your dog's face lately, read on to learn why your dog's breath smells so bad and steps you can take to remedy it.
Why does my dog's breath smell?
They've eaten something smelly We're sure you've noticed by now that dogs will eat almost anything, from fish to dead birds, to whatever a fox has left behind in a muddy field. If their breath has an erroneous pong that doesn't last, they may have eaten something nasty.
Gum disease/periodontal disease Periodontal disease is caused and worsened by bad oral hygiene; periodontal bacteria grows in the mouth and over time can lead to cavities, infection, erosion of the gums and jaw, and tooth loss. This sounds serious but is actually extremely common - 80% of dogs will have periodontal disease by the time they reach three years old, even without showing any signs - but that doesn't mean it should be ignored. When symptoms manifest, that means the condition is in its advanced stages. They include bloody or excess saliva, browning or yellowing teeth, swollen or red gums, and bad breath.
Their breed is prone to bad breath Sadly lots of dogs are susceptible to oral concerns, in some cases due to the size or shape of their mouth and snout. Smaller dogs and older dogs in particular are more likely to suffer from less-than-fresh dog breath.
What is puppy breath?
Amongst the dog owner community, it's common to hear people sharing their love for the sweet smell of puppy breath. ...Still with us? For new or puppy owners to be, you might think we're sounding a bit weird, but trust us, there is a science behind it! There are a few reasons why puppy breath might smell so great to us, and they include:
Their diet. For young puppies still feeding on their mother's milk, their breath will be without the smell of all the fresh meats and treats they'll get to enjoy as they get older, giving their breath a sweeter smell. Plus, puppy food will have more of a simple and plain ingredient list to align with their sensitive tums, which won't cause as much of a pong on their breath.
Their teeth. As developing puppies eat to regain all the energy they've quickly burnt off, their mouth is working overtime to fight all the bacteria that otherwise would settle on their teeth. This reduces as they grow into adult dogs and get their forever teeth. Also, since puppies have all their fresh, new baby teeth - they're squeaky clean and won't be contributing to any bad smells!
Their cuteness. Let's face it, who can concentrate on anything ELSE when you have that tiny little face staring back at you? With everything that's going on, as well as the pheromones pouring out of that little pup, you as the puppy owner will be feeling a lot happier, more relaxed and probably won't even notice if your puppy's breath does have a subtle stink.
Why does my puppy's breath smell bad?
However, when it comes to puppy breath, it might not always be a basket of roses. If you're smelling something rather unpleasant on your puppy's breath, it might be an indication of something else. This might include eating something they shouldn't during their inquisitive exploring, eating their poop or being sick. Bad breath in puppies, and older dogs, can also be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Is bad breath in dogs a sign of illness?
However, if your dog's bad breath is an ongoing issue, or they're displaying other symptoms such as dodgy poops, vomiting, going off their food, difficulty breathing/coughing or a general sense of being under the weather, take them to the veterinarian. They can give your dog a thorough check up in order to rule out anything more serious.
How to get rid of dog's bad breath
If the less-than-fresh aromas coming from your dog's mouth are tough to endure, don't suffer alone! Here's a few easy steps to improve their apparent halitosis:
Regularly brushing teeth
Manually brushing your dog's teeth and gums with a toothbrush for dogs and toothpaste is the optimal solution to great oral health. However, it can be a real palaver getting your dog to sit still while having their teeth cleaned, which is why it's important to get them used to the habit right from their puppy years. If it's a bit late for that, attempt a tooth brushing session gently, even if you just manage a few seconds at a time. Your veterinarian or groomer may be able to give you some tips for this.
Giving your dog something to chew
Check your dog's teeth
Every week or so, have a look in your dog's mouth and gently check their teeth and gums with a clean finger. If there are receding gums, redness, swelling or bleeding, it's probably time to book a dentist appointment.
Visit the dentist
A dentist for dogs or veterinarian will have the best advice on your dog's specific oral health issues, and can provide you with any medicine or treatment you might not have been able to get on your own. Book in regular check-ups so your dog's mouth health is always up to scratch.
Think about their diet
Inside a dog's body there are all sorts of processes going on, many of which are smelly. If your dog has a food allergy or isn't responding very well to the food they eat, this could manifest as bad breath. Feeding them a rounded diet full of whole ingredients, lean proteins, vegetables and fruit, as well as healthy supplements such as probiotics, will improve conditions in their gut - and hopefully make their nearby panting sessions a much more pleasant experience.
A practical mouth-check routine
- Choose a calm time and let the dog move away.
- Lift the lip briefly without forcing the mouth open.
- Look for red or receding gums, brown calculus, a broken tooth, swelling, bleeding or a mass.
- Notice drooling, pawing at the face, dropping food or chewing on one side.
- Book an examination when odor is persistent or any abnormal sign appears.
Do not scrape calculus with a household tool and do not use human toothpaste, mouthwash, essential oil or baking soda. A professional oral assessment may require anesthesia because much of periodontal disease lies below the gumline and cannot be evaluated or treated in an awake cosmetic cleaning.
When bad breath is urgent
Seek prompt care for facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, inability to eat or drink, a suspected foreign object, severe pain, trauma or breathing difficulty. Breath that suddenly smells unusual alongside vomiting, marked thirst, increased urination, weakness, weight loss or behavior change also warrants medical assessment beyond the mouth.
Home care after the veterinary check
Ask the veterinary team when brushing is comfortable and which surfaces to target. Introduce the brush gradually, reward voluntary participation and stop when the dog shows pain or fear. Consistency matters more than aggressive scrubbing. Dental diets, chews and other products vary, so choose them for the individual dog's chewing style, calorie plan and veterinary recommendation rather than assuming every hard item cleans teeth.
What odor changes can and cannot tell you
Smell alone cannot grade dental disease or identify an internal illness. Note whether the odor is constant, whether it changed suddenly and whether it occurs with bleeding, drooling, appetite change, vomiting, thirst, urination or weight loss. A temporary odor after eating something pungent should clear, while persistent odor deserves a mouth examination. Hiding odor with flavor does not remove plaque below the gumline, a fractured tooth, infection, a foreign object or a mass.
What a professional dental assessment adds
An awake mouth check can identify obvious calculus, gingivitis, fractures, retained baby teeth, swelling and masses, but it cannot fully assess every surface or the tissue below the gumline. A comprehensive dental procedure may include anesthesia, probing around each tooth and dental radiographs, followed by cleaning above and below the gumline and treatment of diseased teeth. The plan depends on the individual dog's examination and health assessment.
Ask for written home-care instructions after treatment. Brushing a painful mouth can increase fear, while delaying effective care lets disease progress. Once the veterinary team confirms that home care is comfortable, introduce it in short steps: approach the muzzle, lift the lip, touch the outer tooth surface and then add the pet-safe brush. Reward calm participation and stop before the dog struggles. Home care preserves oral health; it is not a substitute for diagnosing established disease.
Trusted dental guidance
AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
Related guides: gingivitis in dogs, how many teeth dogs have, food for dogs with bad teeth and the dog health hub.