Halitosis in Pet Dogs and Pet Cats

All pet owners, at some time or the other, have held their pet cat close to their face or gone close to their dog, and then felt a whiff of fetid breath in their nostrils. That’s bad breath in your pets or what is medically known as halitosis.

Bad breath in cats

Bad breath in cats is not the problem itself but an external manifestation of an underlying problem. Tooth decay, gum problems, diabetes, kidney problems, liver malfunction, etc can all cause bad breath.

The symptoms of halitosis in cats include bad breath, low desire to eat, drooling, swollen and bleeding gums, calculus deposit on the teeth, and pawing at the mouth.

Apart from the above-mentioned dental symptoms there are some non-dental symptoms as well that may indicate that your cat is suffering from halitosis. These include an increase in the frequency of urination, increased water intake, loss of weight, vomiting, liver enlargement, kidney enlargement, etc.

Halitosis is diagnosed primarily through x-rays of the dental roots and bones plus diagnostic tests to check for liver and kidney malfunction. The treatment of the condition varies with the cause, which is why accurate diagnosis is very important. If the cause is non-dental such as kidney, liver, or gastrointestinal condition then it is treated accordingly. If it is a dental condition then either the diseased tooth is extracted, calculus is removed, or if there is a gum condition then that is treated.

Dental care can help ward off halitosis. There are special diets that help keep plaque and tartar at bay. Brush your cat’s teeth only with specially available toothbrushes and pastes meant only for our pet felines. Take your cat to the vet at least once a year for a dental check-up.

Bad breath in Dogs

Dogs too are prone to bad breath, particularly the smaller breeds such as pugs and terriers. The reason for this is that their teeth are placed closer together because of their flatter faces.

If the bad breath is due to dental causes then symptoms such as drooling which may have blood, loose teeth, loss of appetite, etc may be present. Non-dental causes include diabetes mellitus, inflammation of the nasal passage, sinusitis, presence of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract, viral or bacterial infections, etc. Another reason is if your dog eats foul-smelling stuff, then be prepared for corresponding fetid breath.

Diagnosis techniques include examining the inside of the mouth, checking for loose teeth, and evaluating sulfide concentrations. Treatment is commenced when the specific cause of bad breath is found. Although there are medicines available to reduce odor, the best thing to do so to treat the underlying cause. If the tooth has more than 50 percent bone and gum tissue loss then the vets will remove it.

As with every condition, prevention is better than cure. Get your pet dog’s teeth scaled annually. Periodically clean your dog’s teeth yourself. Dog toothpastes are available in flavors such as beef, chicken, vanilla, etc.

In conclusion, it is apt to state that bad breath is not a condition in itself; it is the result of an underlying condition. Preventive healthcare is the best bet to ensure that you do not have to suddenly face huge vet medicine bills. As a responsible pet parent you should consider pet insurance for the sake of your pet’s health and your finances.