It's Saturday night, and the doorbell rings — your guests arrive, filling your home with laughter and warmth. Your dog eagerly bounds forward, tail wagging, ready to greet everyone. But just as your guests kneel, they hesitate. The culprit? That unmistakable whiff of your dog's bad breath.
Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is as essential to their health as diet and exercise. But bad breath isn't just about dental hygiene; it can also signal a deeper health issue that needs attention from your vet.
A holistic approach to your dog’s health can help keep their breath fresh. Regular brushing and a nutritious, fresh food diet support a strong immune system and a healthy balance of bacteria, keeping bad breath at bay.
What causes bad breath in dogs?
From dental health to diabetes, here are the main causes of bad breath in dogs:
Gingivitis
Gingivitis, the first stage of dental disease, often causes persistent bad breath when plaque bacteria build up between a dog’s teeth and gums. Address this condition through an oral health assessment and thorough cleaning under general anaesthesia by your vet.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to gum (periodontal) disease, leading to receding gums and loose teeth, requiring urgent veterinary attention to prevent further damage.
Common signs:
Red and swollen gums along the gum line
Bleeding when brushed
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🐶 Read more: Gum disease in dogs: how to spot, treat, and prevent it (with pictures)→
Gastrointestinal problems
You’re probably familiar with the gut microbiome — the trillions of microorganisms in your dog’s digestive system — but did you know about the oral microbiome? This lesser-known microbiome plays a significant role in your dog’s oral health.
When the oral microbiome becomes imbalanced, harmful bacteria can flourish, compromising your dog’s oral health. These bacteria can enter the gut when your dog swallows, potentially disrupting the gut microbiome and causing gastrointestinal issues, as well as smelly breath. Similarly, an imbalance in the gut may affect the bacteria in the mouth, increasing the chances of your dog developing halitosis.
Gastric issues such as burping or excessive swallowing can also trigger bad breath in dogs.
Common signs:
Other health conditions
If your dog’s breath smells, this may be a symptom of other health issues. Liver disease may present with yellowing eyes and gums, vomiting, and foul-smelling breath, while kidney issues might cause a metallic or ammonia-like odour. Sweet-smelling or fruity breath could indicate diabetes.
Bad breath is one of several symptoms that should be checked and diagnosed by your vet.
How to get rid of bad dog breath
Morning breath is normal, but if your pup’s wake-up call makes you duck under the covers, here are some easy changes you can make to sweeten their breath:
Oral hygiene
A regular oral hygiene routine, including brushing your dog’s teeth, is the only way to remove the bacterial biofilm that forms over your dog’s teeth and gums. If left, the biofilm hardens into plaque which must be removed by your vet under general anaesthesia. Being diligent with your dog’s oral care is a great way to prevent the onset of dental disease.
🐶 Read more: Protecting your dog's dental health: how to clean your dog's teeth→
Microbiome-friendly food
Your dog’s diet is about more than just filling a hungry belly — it directly impacts their health, including their breath.
A real food diet, like Lyka, is rich in prebiotic dietary fibre from fresh produce like broccoli, carrots, and green cabbage to help to boost and balance the microbiome in your dog’s gut and mouth.
Avoiding sugar is key, as it increases the risk of plaque and tooth decay. Lyka meals are low in carbohydrates to reduce sugar intake and promote oral hygiene.
All our meals contain kelp that’s been shown to reduce dental plaque, promoting fresh breath and a healthy mouth.
Dental supplements
You can boost the nutrients in your dog’s diet with dental supplements to promote their oral health. Lyka’s Dental Supplement contains active ingredients like kelp which fights gum disease at a molecular level, and natural probiotics, parsley, and coconut flakes to neutralise bad bacteria and deodorise your dog’s breath.
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Veterinary support
Annual or bi-annual check-ups with your vet can monitor your dog’s overall health, including dental health. Early detection of gingivitis or gum disease can prevent more severe issues. Your vet can support in the detection of more serious concerns with a thorough veterinary examination.
🐶 Read more: How fresh dog food helped Millie ditch the bad breath→
Real food. Real results.
Fresh breath is just one of the many benefits of prioritising your dog’s nutrition and dental care.
By choosing Lyka’s real food meals and Dental Supplement, you’re supporting your pup’s oral health and setting the foundation for their overall wellbeing. Packed with nutrient-dense ingredients, Lyka’s meals help strengthen your dog’s immune system and maintain a balanced microbiome, giving them the best chance at a vibrant, healthy life.
Make the simple shift to real food with Lyka, and enjoy more cuddly moments with your pup — without the bad breath!
