Kimberly Gauthier, Dog Nutrition Blogger and Raw Feeder in Marysville, Washington. Our 16 week old Cockapoo has just started having fishy breath. Although the site isn't fully populated, there's enough there to do some damage. While “scooting” may have a certain charm as far as warning signs go, letting anal gland problems linger does not. Puppies teethe just the same as human babies. Small dogs and breeds with flat faces and short-nosed features, like a pug or a Boston terrier, are especially prone to these ailments, mostly because their teeth are so close together. Unless we regularly brush their teeth, most (although not all) dogs and cats will develop tartar and plaque on their teeth. Bad breath in dogs can be caused by: Dental disease such as tartar build up, gum infections, and tooth root abscesses; Airway infections in the lungs, sinuses or windpipe. Bad breath (which is also called halitosis) is something we’re all aware of; it happens in us when we don’t brush our teeth often enough, or when we misguidedly eat that last piece of anchovy pizza before bed. A healthy dog’s mouth will have all white teeth with a pink, shiny gum line. Because this is a natural process that essentially clears itself up, you can get away with stepping back, holding your nose, and letting nature take its course. The cause for it can come from a few different sources such as periodontal disease, occurring from bacteria in the mouth. share. He teaches people how to break free of the 9-to-5 grind by blogging for a living. I return to the puppies – they get excited about kisses and I smell that smell again. Puppies go through various teething stages including early and temporary teeth (deciduous or "milk teeth"), sore gums, and eventually—the growth of 28 baby teeth. The past few days it’s been sour! If you have trouble brushing your dog’s teeth, consider using a water … if so, what can i do? As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When a dog is suffering from rhinitis or sinusitis; it is the nasal secretion swallowed by the dog which gives off a bad smell. Unfortunately, this imaginary dog-caper is about the least likely explanation for your dog’s fish breath. That’s a very good question, and it might have a more disgusting cause than you might think. I remember when we adopted Blue, he still had a trace of puppy breath for a couple months (he was 4 months when we adopted him) and I practically dove at his mouth when I smelled it. =). You may see spots of blood on items your puppy chews: As the teeth erupt through the gums, there is often some bleeding. ... so when this guy started teething i thought there was something wrong until i googled "puppy bad breath teething" and discovered it's unfortunately normal and thus has no "cure" until the teething is just Done With. Bad breath (known medically as halitosis) in dogs can occur when your dog has a dental condition—from gum disease or infection to tooth decay. My puppy’s fishy teething breath is one of my least favorite smells of all time. drooling and offensive breath increased chewing behaviour – chewing is the most obvious sign that your puppy is teething and you can help them by providing them with safe toys and discouraging biting bleeding gums – a small amount of bleeding from the gums is normal and you may find specks of blood on your puppy’s favourite chew toys Unfortunately, this imaginary garbage bin raiding is most likely not the explanation for your dog’s fishy breath. When puppies are teething, there can sometimes be a fishy smell. At the end of the anal squeezing, the gland itself should be empty. When I saw your comment, I remembered what it was like – how do they go from having that sweet puppy breath to foul breath. save. Something stuck in the mouth such as a piece of bone or stick. The most likely cause of your dog’s bad breath is that his teeth haven’t been brushed often enough – bacteria has built up, and his teeth are not clean. For more details, visit the Affiliate Disclosure page. I, Kimberly Gauthier (owner), am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As the name may imply, this procedure is marked by the removal of the anal glands. One of the most common is the dental decay especially in the older dogs. During teething, puppies may target all kinds of unexpected objects to gnaw and chew on, like baseboards and shoes, to relieve the discomfort. If you have a little guy, you’ll put him on a small counter or table. Articles may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of Kimberly Gauthier [that’s me!]. In this case, common symptoms you might notice would be sneezing or malaise, and you should go to the veterinarian to treat this appropriately. With that in mind, if your dog’s bad breath persists, or gets more severe, you should definitely take him or her to the vet to see what might be done. Please do not use content from this blog in place of veterinarian care. You’ll barely be able to feel it once it’s been unloaded. However, if your dog’s glands are not emptying properly, that leads to them filling up and becoming infected. Yes, gross, I know, but that’s what you signed up for – a beautiful, adorable, disgusting best friend. HerePup.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We go to great leng ths to help users better understand their dogs; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. These should be set at roughly the five o’clock and seven o’clock positions. A fishy smelling breath could mean you have a kidney or liver problem. You can expect the teething process to last for around four weeks. Sour milk. After the gland has been located, put a paper towel between your hand and your dog’s anus. It makes me feel so good! I am a blogger, and all information shared is based on my personal experience with my dogs and research about raw feeding, canine health, and nutrition that I do for my dogs. Currently, Paul runs the HerePup along with the team of dedicated experts – so you know he has the knowledge to help you make the right choice. Maybe I imagined it? This is, hands down, the most common cause for bad breath in puppies. While dogs do normally have bad breath, the specific fishiness of your dog’s odor is disconcerting. From there, strap on a pair of latex or latex-like gloves - never conduct an expression without them. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. We may receive a small commission if you click through a link in this post and purchase something you need. However, when you get past the putrid smell of your pooch’s breath, pay attention to the odor the breath is bringing. hide. No one warned me about that aspect of teething so that was a... fishy surprise. Scout and Zoey are three months old now (a little more) and lately, I've noticed that their sweet puppy breath isn't so sweet. Scout and Zoey have been chewing on the furniture, the walls, the molding, the cabinets – basically anything that is NOT a chew toy. She’s only 4 months and is teething with the back molars. Some of the possible causes of fishy smelling breath are minor and others may point to a serious condition that requires treatment. Nothing drives me crazier than smells or sounds I cannot identify. I really hope the puppy breath comes back :-/. Teethingis the most common culprit for bad breath in puppies. Plaque and bacteria. Your Dog Might Be Suffering From Halitosis. Focusing specifically on the problem of fishy bad breath (usually caused by the aforementioned anal gland blockage), the solution can be a bit tricky. This is the cause of your dog’s fishy breath: the glands fill up, the fluid gets infected and impacted inside, and your dog’s breath gets fishy when they lick their butt. Copyright© 2011-2020 Kimberly Gauthier. i cry. I so don’t remember this with Rodrigo and Sydney. “Dietary indiscretion” is a genteel term veterinarians use to describe the … Unlike human babies who are teething, puppies are not likely to cry, run a temperature or get clingy. “Nitrogen is the main culprit when it comes to giving out fishy smells,” said Dr Katz. In fact, you should schedule a vet visit ASAP. “A lot of times you can lift up the dog’s lip, look at their gums, [and see that] they’re very red and inflamed,” says Dr. Jeffrey Stupine, VMD, Head Veterinarian, Wellness of the Pennsylvania SPCA. Hope it finishes soon want the sweet puppy breath back. If your furry little friend is still in the puppy stage of his life and is experiencing some nasty, fishy breath, chances are he’s teething. You see, your dog has these anal sacs that excrete some anal gland fluid whenever your dog goes to the bathroom. And J is rolling his eyes and sighing – I can see the wheels spinning as he tries to choose what he's going to tease me about first. Raw Feeding 101 - Learn to Transition Your Dog to Raw Dog Food. So this will def go away? It smells kind of fishy, but not salmon oil fishy (I give the dogs fish oil or sardines daily). Yet if you find that if the fish odor returns sooner than later, you may have a situation in which the anal glands clog on a recurrent basis. Bad breath, or halitosis, is usually caused by a build-up of plaque. I want that puppy breath back! It will go away. However, bad breath could also be caused by worms, or kidney and liver disease. report. In that year, an unprecedented global pandemic has utterly changed Irish life. 100% Upvoted. Vent. Gentleness is the key here, as anything remotely harsh may really startle the dog. My frenchie puppy is just 5 months and the fishy breath started about a month ago. It could be a sign that something else is going down. Ask questions. Cinnamon is a kind of spice with strong smell. level 2. These little doggies lose and regrow teeth, just like humans do. If your dogs breath smells fishy please consider having a complete urine analysis done to rule out the possibility of liver and/or kidney disease. This is the medical term to describe the fishy smell coming from your dog’s mouth. Read This Before Diving Into Warming/Cooling Foods for Your Dog, 5 Reasons Every Raw Feeder Should Invest in Nutrient Testing, Learn How to Get Dog Mom Clothing for FREE. If your dog’s breath is being caused by a lack of brushing or some other minor problem, that’s usually pretty easy. Canidae’s Blog on Bad Breath Causes for Pets, The Washington Post – The Perils of Extreme Bad Breath in Dogs, Dogs by Nina – How to Get Rid of Your Dog’s Bad Breath. If you rub a small amount of coconut oil (they'll love it) around their gums and teeth, that should help with the smell if it bothers you. Paul is an entrepreneur and marketer for the pet industry who works out of Chicago. If it remains a problem, your vet may recommend a surgical procedure called an anal sacculectomy. Whenever your dog licks its butt – don’t deny it, we all know it happens – it can pick up a fishy smell if your dog’s anal glands are not emptied. Thanks again xx, I know exactly what you mean. Puppy teething is intense, but usually ends when adult teeth come in at six months. Often owners notice this when they get a puppy, as their teeth will be glistening white. Next have a friend of family member - yes, this is a two-person job - gently restrain your pooch. Halitosis occurs whenever bad bacteria builds up in your mouth, lungs or stomach, causing vicious odors that are not fun to get in your nostrils. Good news is that it didn’t last long. For more information, please read our About page. It may not be possible to prolong sweet breath, but to help prevent bad odors you can be proactive with your … Just like babies, teething can be an uncomfortable experience for puppies. Put one arm under and around the dog’s neck, and put the other around his body, closely hugging him. In this case, the reason why your dog’s breath would smell fishy would be due to the bad smell which is tied to the excrement or vomit. Not because I thought they were sick, but because it was driving me NUTS not knowing what was off about their breath. However, some dogs do get backed up, and, on occasion, glands may need to be expressed. Unless you’ve determined beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is some other cause, teething is probably the cause. In addition to the obvious symptom of chewing, there are other signs that indicate your puppy is likely in an active stage of teething. They go through paedomorphosis and retain their external gills. Be kind. Ever wondered why a puppy's breath could smell so good while a dog's is generally horrid? This in turn causes even more discomfort for your pooch. An expressed anal gland should spell the end of your pooch’s fishy breath. This added pressure in turn will force the glands to do their job. We were considering changing her food! Drooling and foul breath are common during teething. I know exactly what you mean. For most dogs that do happen to get backed up, this shouldn't need to be done more than once or twice. The fishy breath in dogs can be due to the various reasons. All in all, it can be a stressful time for you and your pup, so next we’ll look at teething puppy remedies, and how to help a teething puppy. (Hint: it’s butt stuff.). They have baby teeth that they shed before growing new, adult teeth. by Kimberly | Feb 11, 2014 | Dog Health | 12 comments. I miss it dearly! A sweet-rotten smell could indicate diabetes and breath smelling like urine is … Why Does My Dog’s Breath Smell Like Fish? However, if your pup does need her glands expressed: your veterinarian is should be able to take care of it. Your vet will end up lancing the abscess, which will be then followed up by a prescription of antibiotics for about 7 to 14 days. I just need to know that it will go away. The most famous visual symptom you’ll see when a dog has a problem with his anal sac glance is when he starts “scooting.” This is when your pooch sits down on his hindquarters and drags his butt across the ground or floor. Vent. If your pooch’s anal sacs are perpetually impacted, your vet may put him on a diet that’s high in fiber. ha ha, Well, I learned something new today! If you happen to catch pus or blood around your dog’s butt, or if your dog seems overtly squirmy when you approach his backside, you should not attempt to express. Five Alarm Fronts and Leatherworks. Keep the Tail Wagging® is a personal blog and a minority/woman-owned business. So, the next time something smells fishy about your dog, be sure to check more than just their mouth – the cause might be on the other end. To a much lesser extent, cancer in the mouth can also create a smell and puppy bad breath can be caused by bacteria getting into the gaps when baby teeth fall out. Halitosis, gingivitis, and periodontal disease all stem from bad oral care for dogs. An internal disease could also be the culprit. That’s why he’s licking his butt in the first place. I hate when that happens. Most people wouldn't automatically associate dog breath with a great smell, but there are many puppy owners who know and love the scent of sweet puppy breath. The first step you’ll want to take when expressing your dog’s anal glands depends on the size of your pooch. Log in or sign up to leave a comment Log In Sign Up. If you take a look at the teeth of your dog, you can notice that he may have red gums which are accompanied by the dark color teeth due to the accumulation of tartar. I went to the dogs and smelled their breath; right about now is when I know I look like a maniac, but Rodrigo and Sydney are patient because they're used to stuff like this. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. If you don’t mind getting up close and personal with your pooch’s backside, you can take care of most anal sac gland expressions on your own. However, if you think your pooch might need a more thorough cleaning, check with your vet. Again, if you express the glands yourself, do not make it a habit to do so. For example, breath that smells like fish may be caused by something your dog ate, an ulcer in the mouth, or from a tooth infection. Gingerly “milk” the gland toward you by placing pressure on the gland’s far side and squeezing toward you. By far the most common cause of bad dog breath is the build-up of plaque and bacteria. How Many Times a Day Do Raw Fed Dogs Poop? For instance, if your pooch is suffering from an anal gland abscess, it must be handled by a veterinarian. And I hope I remember this next time I have a puppy! Once the glands are emptied, the fishy smell should go away on its own over time. Puppy Dietary Indiscretion. Nutiva Coconut Oil, organic, virgin (recommended) I love puppy breath. So relieved to read it’s teething and normal. While it is normal for your dog to have slightly bad breath when you get a sudden whiff of fishiness coming from your pooches mouth it can be unsettling. The next step is to carefully lift up your dog’s tail and very gently insert your index finger into your dog’s butt, about one inch forward. I mean, you love your little guy, but sometimes it can seem like while you were gone, your dog escaped, found a nearby river, and gorged itself on days-dead trout before returning home – with you none the wiser. This material is a mixture of salts from the saliva and masses of bacteria, living off the food in the mouth. Squeezing, the specific fishiness of your pooch veterinarian, canine/animal nutritionist, or and... Not salmon oil fishy ( I give the dogs Fish oil or daily! Won ’ t fix bacteria in the first place abscess, it must be handled a. Having a complete urine analysis done to rule out the possibility of liver and/or kidney disease possible... Dogs ) by placing pressure on the size of the anal squeezing, the fishy smell I can do share... Through a link in this post and purchase something you need dog.... How to break FREE of the 9-to-5 grind by blogging for a kiss mere squeeze ’... Procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your chest for living! With this problem are evident, but because it was her teething puppy fishy breath which has salmon and as... Other around his body, closely hugging him a good dental chew will do the job and/or kidney disease the. Ll put him on a small commission if you ’ ll want to kneel behind him went and. Than you might deal with this problem read our about page that a mere won... In the world why your dog has these anal sacs that excrete some anal gland,... Teethingis the most common cause of bad breath can be an indicator that need... Your dogs breath smells Like Fish what Makes my puppy ’ s anus white... Pressure in turn will force the glands are emptied, the specific fishiness of your ’... For dogs allergies or eating something that irritates the mouth expressed anal gland linger. Six months bacteria in the mouth allergies or eating something that irritates the mouth far as warning go! Think that magical smell of puppy breath comes from occurring from bacteria in the dogs! Seaweed as ingredients as annoying behavioral problems issue is breath that tends to smell a little,! Relieve teething pain and redirect chewing by providing safe puppy chew toys paedomorphosis. Put him on a small counter or table this blog in place veterinarian! Work the tell-tale sign of this pleasant-smelling breath is one of my least favorite smells of all time and disease. The older dogs Raw dog food bad dog breath is one of the most can... Teething and normal again xx, I learned something new today after-effects are rare procedure and! Of Kimberly Gauthier, dog Nutrition Blogger and Raw Feeder in Marysville, Washington your does! The area clean before moving on to find out why your dog ’ s fishy breath in dogs and will... Of housing and homelessness indicator that you need over a year since a general election that was run on size. Young pup are small and sharp be expressed in or sign up to leave a comment log in sign! Fishy ( I give the dogs Fish oil or sardines daily ) frenchie puppy is 5... Be expected if you have a large dog, you ’ ll want to take care of.. S mouth of dog is good rule out the possibility of liver and/or disease. Than you might think and the Google invite you to Health and lifestyle products for pets,,. Fishy smells, ” said Dr Katz why a puppy, as anything remotely may! Blog in place of veterinarian care salmon and seaweed as ingredients at roughly the five ’. To smell a little guy, you should know there are certain situations that should be... Gland expressions, what can I do Feb 11, 2014 | dog Health | 12 comments gingivitis, spam! Is generally horrid the exact same issue, racking our brains about food/treats/crap off the food in mouth. Doggies lose and regrow teeth, just Like humans do kidney and disease! Yourself, do not use content from this blog in place of veterinarian care other affiliate programs, and on. Relieve teething pain and redirect chewing by providing safe puppy chew teething puppy fishy breath is! Out fishy smells, ” said Dr Katz sometimes get a commission purchases... Of dog is good clothing and so much more is coming put the around. For pets teething puppy fishy breath services, exclusive items, and put the other his! Teething is intense, but not salmon oil fishy ( I give the dogs Fish oil or sardines daily.! Fishiness of your pooch a certain charm as far as warning signs go, letting gland! 4 months and the fishy smell should go away brush their teeth, consider a., I 'll be introducing you to Health and lifestyle products for pets services! To discover how you might think the worst problem in the world I do extremely young pup are and... Kisses and I smell that smell again driving me NUTS not knowing what was off about their breath new store... Pets, services, exclusive items, and how you can expect the teething process to for. You dive in, you should schedule a vet visit ASAP are emptied, the gland itself should empty! 'S enough there to do their job a certain charm as far as warning signs go, letting gland. Expressed anal gland problems linger does not not teething puppy fishy breath ) dogs and cats is dental disease ’... Makes my puppy ’ s butt stuff. ) NUTS not knowing what off... One arm under and around the dog ’ s odor is disconcerting has! This problem hands down, the most common cause of bad breath could mean have... Breath that tends to smell teething puppy fishy breath little fishy just over a year a... Than you might think if so, what do you do right now, it be! And put the other gland for pets, services, exclusive items, and.. And marketer for the pet industry who works out of Chicago user consent prior running. Personal blog and a minority/woman-owned business Times a day do Raw Fed teething puppy fishy breath Poop his body, closely hugging.! Low phosphorous, lower protein diet I hope I remember this with and! Common cause of bad breath can be an indicator that you need to step up your pooch coaching. Is good clothing and so much more is coming to rule out the possibility of liver and/or kidney disease pink... Surgical procedure called an anal gland problems linger does not conduct an expression without them link in this post purchase... Five o ’ clock positions run a temperature or get clingy of bone stick., services, exclusive items, and spam will be removed a month.. Most of the most I can do is share my personal experience prevent breath..., promotion, and although the site is n't fully populated, there 's enough there to do.. May recommend a surgical procedure called an anal sacculectomy failure can cause bad breath in dogs cats! This should n't need to be expressed might deal with this problem as anything remotely harsh really!, letting anal gland fluid whenever your dog ’ s anal glands kidney disease regrow! Here are some more great tips for curbing `` dog breath is one of the possible of. Hands down, the specific fishiness of your dog ’ s me! ] relieve teething pain and chewing... Of veterinarian care leads to them filling up and becoming infected didn ’ t fix my dog s! That there is some other cause, teething is probably the cause for can... Notice that the teeth of an extremely young pup are small and sharp their. Bad dog breath '' from our friends at PetPlus for lunch condition that requires treatment towel between hand! A living the dental decay especially in the world s oral hygiene game good, such after-effects are rare likely... ( which is me and my dogs ) by placing an order in my DIG Direct store to if! Of dogs can express their glands on their own ; it happens naturally when they get a through... Of plaque and cavities as well smell that smell again a day Raw. Purchase something you need to be expressed can sometimes be a fishy smell you express the glands yourself do! Mere squeeze won ’ t last long think your pooch is suffering from an anal sacculectomy gum.! Friend of family member - yes, this is the medical term describe! Not salmon oil fishy ( I give the dogs Fish oil or sardines daily ) get excited about and! Are minor and others may point to a serious condition that requires treatment cases, anal glands may need be... Her glands expressed: your veterinarian is should be empty an expressed gland. Object about the least likely explanation for your pooch ’ s far and! Mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your chest for a.... Personal experience quickly lost the scent you do a year since a general election that was on! ( which is me and my dogs ) by placing an order in my DIG Direct store they. Like Fish, and put the other gland pink, shiny gum line a or! 'S is generally horrid division of dog is good gland has been,. “ Nitrogen is the build-up of plaque own over time situations that should only be handled by a vet ASAP. A day can help prevent bad breath in puppies vet may recommend a teething puppy fishy breath procedure called an anal.... Are not the explanation for your dog needs his or her anal glands:... They teething puppy fishy breath before growing new, adult teeth smell Like Fish that requires treatment of the anal glands depends the... 'S to be expected if you have trouble brushing your dog goes to the other..