Veterinarian, Dr. Angie Zinkus There are several reasons why a dog or cat's breath smells bad. We all know dogs and cats will eat some nasty stuff, says Dr. Angie Zinkus, veterinarian at Germantown Parkway Animal Hospital
Dog: Cat Poop, dead animals (that they often roll around in) and other things
Cats: Innards of a rabbit, mouse, rat, bird or other prey
While humans don't eat the nasty things I just mentioned, they also can suffer from halitosis (a polite way to say "bad breath).
The smell of your pet's breath can tell a great deal about their overall health. My job is to sniff out the problem.
If the bad breath lasts more than a day or two, There may be other problems. One of the most common is periodontal (tooth) disease. That happens when plaque made of bacteria, clings to the teeth. Over a few days, the bacteria will mineralize and develop into tartar. If untreated, the plaque irritates the gum line and creates gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).
Other signs of dental disease are subtle, and many will not show any signs. In addition to bad breath, some will have trouble chewing food and others will paw at their mouth. Other symptoms include excessive drooling, bleeding from the mouth, sudden changes in behavior (such as aggression), inability to open or close mouth, an eye infection, and unusual discharge from the nose. Occasionally, there's swelling underneath the eyes, which indicates an abscessed tooth. If you've ever had an abscessed tooth, you'll understand your pet's pain. If left untreated, the infection from the abscess can get into the bloodstream and become fatal.
Dog: Cat Poop, dead animals (that they often roll around in) and other things
Cats: Innards of a rabbit, mouse, rat, bird or other prey
While humans don't eat the nasty things I just mentioned, they also can suffer from halitosis (a polite way to say "bad breath).
The smell of your pet's breath can tell a great deal about their overall health. My job is to sniff out the problem.
If the bad breath lasts more than a day or two, There may be other problems. One of the most common is periodontal (tooth) disease. That happens when plaque made of bacteria, clings to the teeth. Over a few days, the bacteria will mineralize and develop into tartar. If untreated, the plaque irritates the gum line and creates gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).
Other signs of dental disease are subtle, and many will not show any signs. In addition to bad breath, some will have trouble chewing food and others will paw at their mouth. Other symptoms include excessive drooling, bleeding from the mouth, sudden changes in behavior (such as aggression), inability to open or close mouth, an eye infection, and unusual discharge from the nose. Occasionally, there's swelling underneath the eyes, which indicates an abscessed tooth. If you've ever had an abscessed tooth, you'll understand your pet's pain. If left untreated, the infection from the abscess can get into the bloodstream and become fatal.
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