Symptom · Dogs and cats
Bad breath in dogs and cats: what it means and when to call the vet
Bad breath is most often dental disease, which affects most dogs and cats over three. It isn’t urgent, but it is painful and progressive, so book a dental check at your next opportunity.
By Maya HartCommon causes
- Plaque, tartar and gum disease
- Broken or rotten teeth
- Something stuck between the teeth
- Kidney disease or diabetes (less common)
What you can do at home
- Look at the teeth and gums — red lines at the gum edge mean gingivitis
- Start tooth brushing with a pet toothpaste once the mouth is healthy
- Never use human toothpaste
What the vet may do
- An oral examination
- A dental clean under anaesthetic with X-rays
- Extractions of painful teeth
Prevention
- Daily tooth brushing — the most effective habit
- Dental chews and diets with the VOHC seal
The details
Pets rarely show dental pain: most keep eating even with rotten teeth. Owners often notice after a dental clean that their pet is brighter and more playful. Anaesthesia-free scaling only cleans the visible surface and can’t treat disease below the gum line.
Questions owners ask
Is bad breath in dogs and cats an emergency?
Often it can be watched at home for a day, as long as none of the warning signs appear. Go now if you see: breath smelling of ammonia or urine with vomiting (possible kidney failure); a sweet or fruity smell with drinking a lot (possible diabetes); facial swelling or refusing food.
What causes bad breath in dogs and cats?
Plaque, tartar and gum disease; Broken or rotten teeth; Something stuck between the teeth; Kidney disease or diabetes (less common).
What can I do at home?
Look at the teeth and gums — red lines at the gum edge mean gingivitis. Start tooth brushing with a pet toothpaste once the mouth is healthy. Never use human toothpaste.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts