Bad Breath in Pets: What Causes It and How to Handle It

By Paul Ciampanelli Feb 16th 2010

Both cats and dogs can suffer from halitosis, aka bad breath. The number one cause of bad breath is periodontal disease, although it may also be caused by gastrointestinal disease, kidney disease, poor diet or sinus infection. Just like in humans, periodontal disease occurs when saliva, bacteria and food particles form plaque on the teeth. If untreated, this can develop into gingivitis and later periodontal disease.

There are a number of home remedies that are often recommended to help freshen your pet's breath, such as adding garlic, parsley or fenugreek to their food, but do these really help? According to Dr. Brett Beckman, a veterinary dentist and oral surgeon form Port Charlotte, Fla., although these remedies may prevent you from having to endure the foul odor of your pet's breath, they offer no benefit to your pet whatsoever and may even be harmful.

"The odor is produced by a population of infection producing bacteria that live in the pockets between the gum and the tooth," Dr. Beckman tells Paw Nation. "The smell that causes bad breath is a result of their waste products that accumulate in the gum pocket. Unless these bacteria are mechanically removed, they will continue to destroy the gum, making the pocket larger and eventually destroying the bone," explains Dr. Beckman.

There are ways to prevent plaque build-up on your pet's teeth and so avoid bad breath and its subsequent health risks. Dr. Larry Baker, owner of Northgate Pet Hospital in Decatur, Ill., explains that brushing your cat or dog's teeth with pet toothpaste, which contains less fluoride than human toothpaste, is the best way to keep plaque in check. This special toothpaste even comes in beef and chicken flavors that your pet will love.

"It is really not necessary to brush any surface other than cheek surfaces, where most of the tartar collects and causes bad breath," Dr. Baker says. "Once removed, it will come back, regardless of what is done in most cases, just much slower when you brush daily. The next best thing is Oravet, a wax that can be easily applied to cheek surfaces of teeth with your finger or a brush. It just takes a few seconds and helps to keep plaque and tartar from forming," says Dr. Baker.

Once the tell-tale brown tartar stains have formed on your dog's or cat's teeth, the only way to remove it is through professional cleaning by a veterinarian. Mechanical removal of the bacteria is done under general anesthesia. However, Dr. Beckman warns that cleaning alone may not remedy the problem. "Pockets and bone loss must be evaluated with dental x-ray to make the correct diagnosis and treat the problem correctly."

You can find out more about keeping your pet's teeth healthy and which products are available by visiting the Veterinary Oral Health Council.