Last Updated: 6 months ago
There are many reasons for puppy odors.
Odors can sometimes seem to emanate from all over a puppy or just be centered on one area, such as the breath.
Here are some of the most common complaints and causes of puppy stink and what you can do about it.
Diet
The type of puppy food that you are feeding your dog may be the source of the odors you are experiencing, according to Dr. Eric Barchas of Dogster. If your puppy’s breath smells like fish, then you may want to check the ingredients on the dog food bag.
Some diets can cause dogs to have more gas than usual.
If your dog seems gassy, you may ask your veterinarian about what types of changes you can make in their diet to alleviate the flatulence.
Of course, it is important to not change a puppy’s diet too suddenly. Gradually adding more of a new food while decreasing the amount of the older food will help eliminate any gastrointestinal distress.
My Dog’s Breath Smells Like Poop
Let’s face it, dogs will eat a lot of things that seem disgusting to people. Eating feces, rotten food, and other non-food things can lead to terrible breath as well as upset stomachs.
If you have a cat litter box, you may need to get one that your dog cannot get into. Dogs sometimes eat cat litter or feces.
Dogs that have poor dental health can sometimes develop breath that smells like feces.
If you can’t brush your dog’s teeth, you may want to get them on a dog food or chew toy regime that helps clean their teeth.
Dentabone is a popular treat that can do a lot of good for tartar buildup.
Sometimes those with older dogs or those who adopt dogs run into this problem and find that a dog’s teeth and gums show signs of actual gum disease.
If this is advanced, then it can be treated as problems occur, but bad breath is definitely a gum disease warning sign, according to K9 Magazine.
My Dog’s Breath Smells Like Urine
Again, if you have a cat litter box, this is the first thing to check.
Dog bedding that is outside can sometimes fall victim to other dogs in the household or cats urinating on it, thus causing your dog to pick up the scent.
My Dog’s Breath Smells Like Metal
The scent of metal on your dog’s breath is cause for concern. The reason for this is that the smell can be due to blood.
A bit of blood at the base of teeth or from a mouth injury can lead to a metallic smell, according to Aleda M. Cheng, a veterinarian at Med Help.
A metallic smell can also be a product of nutrition. Gastric reflux is sometimes the culprit, so good digestion is the solution.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria, like those found in many live-culture yogurts.
Probiotics added to their current dog food or switched to a probiotic dog food can be helpful to the digestion of your dog.
Rolling
Puppies like to get into things. If you live out in the country or near anyone that keeps chickens, goats, cattle, or any other farm animal, the odds are you will one day experience having your puppy come home after rolling around in something that is very distasteful.
A good odor-absorbing shampoo can be useful for dealing with these situations when they occur. Of course, if it is warm outside, you may consider washing your pooch outside using warm water.
If you have to wash your puppy inside, then an odor-absorbing spray can be applied before washing if the initial smell is more than you and your family can handle.
Unclean Kennel Areas
It is amazing how quickly an outdoor kennel can become soiled if you have a puppy. It doesn’t take much smell for your dog to seem like it is all over them. Pine shavings in outdoor dog houses and rest areas can reduce odors when changed regularly.
Sometimes puppies develop the habit of urinating on bedding. Stopping this behavior can be challenging.
The first step is to make sure that puppies have a good space that is okay for them to use the bathroom in. Praise your puppy when they use the designated area, and they will be more likely to do it again.
Water Additives
Omega Pet offers a pet water additive that helps prevent plaque and odor-causing bacteria.
This is an easy and approachable way to deal with dog breath, especially if it is not related to a real medical condition. 1-2 tablespoons added to 16 oz. of water will keep your dog fresh and prevent decay.
More than 60% of dogs will develop some type of dental problem by the age of 3 if they don’t get any professional dental care.
In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to overlook the dental needs of our canine companions. This product is an easy solution that can save you money.
Sprays
Chances are that your dog is not going to appreciate getting sprayed in the mouth with anything; however, if you are faced with some terrible doggy breath, it can offer temporary relief.
Treats
Giving a puppy a delicious treat may be all that is needed to improve their breath. Fidobiotics produces a chicken and waffle-flavored probiotic treat that can eliminate puppy breath odors.
Exercising And Loving Patience
We love our pets, but they are animals, and that means that they are just going to get into things sometimes that lead to odors. Punishing puppies for natural curiosity is often not a good solution. As a dog owner, you need to correct with love, not harshness.
Not allowing puppies opportunities to roll in poop or get in the litterbox is your job.
If you don’t catch your puppy in the act, then they are not going to realize what you are reprehending them for.
This means your puppy will just think you are being mean and not take anything else away from the matter.
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