Mary Allen
Your dog’s breath can reveal a lot about their health!
Does your dog stink of decomposition, fish or ammonia? Then you should definitely get to the bottom of the cause!
Please don’t paint the devil on the wall right away, because decomposition sounds so deadly. In many cases, bad breath in dogs can be treated, reduced and even prevented.
In this article you will learn, among other things, what it means if your old dog stinks of decay or your puppy smells from its mouth and when you should go to the vet!
In a nutshell: Why does my dog’s mouth stink of decomposition?
The reasons why your dog stinks of decomposition can be very different. If your dog has eaten carrion or feces, such unpleasant smells can occur. These usually disappear quickly
For example, a bacterial infestation, poor dental hygiene, or gastritis can be behind a long-lasting smell of decay.
3 causes of the smell of decay coming from the mouth
There are many different reasons why your dog’s mouth smells like decay. Unfortunately (or fortunately) this can indicate a whole range of diseases.
So if you notice that your dog smells somehow sick from its mouth, be it fishy, like ammonia or like decomposition, this indication – recognized in time – can save your dog’s life. It is therefore important to take the first signs seriously and to react to them!
The smell of decay coming from your dog’s mouth can indicate this:
1. Inflammation of the throat
Our dogs can also occasionally catch a cold and, unfortunately, an associated inflammation of the throat. Tonsils, larynx or nasal mucous membranes can be affected.
If the inflammation in the throat is already advanced, your dog may smell of decay coming from its mouth. Other symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, coughing, choking, increased smacking, vomiting, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue and more.
If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your dog, please take him to the vet!
2. Gastric mucosal inflammation
Inflammation of the gastric mucosa, also known as gastritis, causes your dog a great deal of pain and must be treated by a veterinarian!
Possible symptoms associated with gastritis can be diarrhoea, loss of appetite, vomiting shortly after eating, heartburn, lack of drive, weight loss, a hunchback (back hunched over from pain) and pale mucous membranes.
3. Worm or fungus infestation
A heavy worm or fungal infestation can cause your dog’s mouth to smell of decay.
Unfortunately, as our dogs cannot speak to us, it is often very difficult to find out what is wrong with your dog without veterinary help.
A worm or fungal infestation should always be treated by a veterinarian. Symptoms vary depending on the type of parasite.
Worm or fungal infestation is often accompanied by itching, coughing, diarrhea, cramps and/or weight loss. But shortness of breath, bloody stool, dull fur, dandruff, constipation, changing appetite or anemia can also indicate a worm or parasite infestation.
When do I have to go to the vet?
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, you should see a vet immediately! Only a professional can find out what your dog is suffering from and help him.
A temporary smell of decay can also appear after eating carrion or feces and disappears relatively quickly. If your dog keeps smelling sick, you know what to do.
Bad breath in dogs: home remedies
Once you have identified the cause of your dog’s bad breath and there is no serious illness behind it, there are a few home remedies that can alleviate the unpleasant smell. For example:
A nutritional check and, if necessary, a change of feed
Regular brushing of teeth with special dog toothpaste
Chlorophyll (found in fresh herbs such as parsley or basil, finely chopped and mixed in small amounts with your dog’s food)
Let your dog snack on raw carrots regularly
Make way for many non-stinky dog kisses!
More smells from your dog’s mouth
Can you tell exactly what your dog smells out of its mouth?
Then this can give you the first clues as to where the sick smell is coming from.
Dog smells like fish from its mouth
If your dog smells like fish from its mouth, this can be due to poor dental hygiene, for example. If your puppy stinks, it could be a sign of problems changing teeth.
A broken tooth, under which pus collects, eating faeces or incorrect feeding also promote a fishy smell from the mouth.
Dog smells like rotten eggs/ammonia from its mouth
If your dog smells like ammonia from its mouth, this can indicate diabetes or kidney problems!
If your dog’s eyes are yellow, your dog’s liver could also be damaged.
Conclusion
If your dog smells like decay, ammonia, or fish from its mouth, it can indicate a variety of serious illnesses! So it is extremely important that you take the symptoms seriously and take your dog to the vet!
Bad breath in dogs can indicate, for example, an inflammation of the throat, gastritis, worm or fungal infestation, dental problems, kidney or liver damage, or diabetes.