E. E. Cummings is often credited with the line, “Kisses are a better fate than wisdom.”
Maybe he was never lovingly ambushed by a Doberman with nuclear-grade doggy breath.
As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, February is all about drawing loved ones close — and for many of us, that includes those with whiskers and paws.
It’s also National Pet Dental Health Month, which offers a helpful reminder: if those cuddly kisses come with a dreadful stench, it may be time to schedule a chat with your veterinarian.
After all, Oscar Wilde once warned, “A kiss may ruin a human life.”
A stinky one from that dog or cat you adore? Well, that can be devastating in its own way.
“Yes, you should be worried if your pet is suddenly having bad breath,” stresses Dr. Jerica Lugo, VMD. “And there are a number of different causes.”
Why So Stinky?
According to Dr. Lugo, dental disease is perhaps the leading cause of pet halitosis. And it can be an emergency issue if the underlying cause is something like a tooth root abscess.
“This typically happens if an animal breaks or damages a tooth,” Dr. Lugo says. Infection sets in, resulting in discomfort, swelling, and even difficulty eating – and, frequently, a foul smell.
There are, of course, tiers of dental disease, Dr. Lugo says — some of which may not be severe, but suspicions should still be addressed immediately to ensure that your pet remains healthy, happy, and safe.
“Dental health is a huge part of your pet’s overall well-being,” she says. “Getting their teeth taken care of regularly, especially when you’re noticing bad breath, is incredibly important to their longevity.”
While dental disease may be the number one reason to be worried about bad breath in our pets, there are additional culprits.
Kidney disease and/or failure, for instance, can result in a buildup of toxins in the body that leads to a condition called uremia – highly detectable by smell.
“Another big one is diabetes,” Dr. Lugo says. One particular type of diabetic crisis causes a buildup of a substance called ketones in an animal’s body, which is also particularly malodorous.
“Not only does this mean that your pet may have diabetes and needs to seek treatment, but it can also mean that your dog or cat is dealing with something that is making them feel really, really crummy,” Dr. Lugo explains. “Without rapid care, it can lead to very serious consequences for that pet.”
A much milder suspect of halitosis is gastric reflux, which — surprise — our pets can get, too.
“We know people experience reflux, but pets absolutely can, too. I find it’s more common in dogs, and it can make their breath smell gross because the stomach contents are essentially coming up the esophagus, causing what we normally call heartburn.”
The bad news? Reflux can reduce a pet’s appetite, cause coughing and gagging, and lead to widespread discomfort. The good news? Skilled veterinarians have several tricks up their sleeves to help with this typically mild ailment.
It’s important to note that bad breath may also mean that your pet has ingested something they shouldn’t have, Dr. Lugo says.
“It’s important to think about what that may have been and if it’s something that could potentially make them sick.”
Clearing the Air
Overall, significant changes in your pet’s breath should raise the alarm that it may be time to check in with the family vet, just to be on the safe side.
“Dogs, of course, have doggy breath,” Dr. Lugo says. “Cats can have that fishy odor if they regularly eat that type of food. Breath is not necessarily an issue if it’s the same all the time. But we start to worry when there is a sudden change in how our pets’ breath smells.”
Again, dental disease affects pets of various species, breeds, and ages – both young and old. But it is entirely preventable, and there are things your veterinarian can do to help.
“Especially getting their teeth examined and cleaned under anesthesia,” Dr. Lugo stresses. “Routine dental visits make a big difference in how your pet’s breath smells, making them a lot more pleasant to be around. Then they can give you fresh breath kisses all the time.”
Ask your vet what at-home dental care is right for your pet.
