Bad breath is one of the most unpleasant things to experience. It can come from a variety of sources, including diet, dental issues, and more. In this article, I will discuss some common causes of bad breath in Chihuahuas so that you can better understand how to deal with it!
The causes of bad breath in Chihuahuas can be teething, oral hygiene, periodontal diseases, eating feces, bad dog food, and much more. Let’s look at some of these in more detail.
Teething is a common cause of bad breath in puppies and young dogs. During this time, their gums can be quite sore and inflamed, leading to unpleasant-smelling breath. Poor oral hygiene is another common contributor to bad breath. If plaque and bacteria are allowed to build upon the teeth, it can lead to bad breath and gum disease. Periodontal diseases are also common causes of bad mouth odor in Chihuahuas.
Top Causes of Bad Breath with Chihuahuas
There are many causes of bad breath in Chihuahuas, but some are more common than others. Let’s take a look at the top causes of bad breath in these dogs:
Teething
A mixture of blood and saliva in the wet environment of the mouth can generate a scent that is typically linked to sour milk in pups aged 3 to 6 or 7 months. Most of the time, this will go away as the puppy grows out of the teething stage.
This is, however, an excellent opportunity to practice proper dental care of Chihauhua and teach your pup to tolerate having its teeth cleaned. For more information, see the section below.
Poor Oral Hygiene
If plaque and bacteria are allowed to build upon the teeth, it can lead to bad breath and gum disease. Periodontal diseases are also common causes of bad mouth odor in Chihuahuas.
Eating Feces
Yes, this is a real thing! Dogs that eat their own or other animals’ feces can develop a condition known as coprophagia which results in particularly foul-smelling breath.
Too Much Plaque
As mentioned earlier, plaque is one of the main contributors to bad breath. When plaque builds up on the teeth, it creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and multiply – leading to some pretty rank-smelling breath.
Bad Dog Food
Some dog foods are notorious for causing bad breath. This is due to the high amounts of grain they contain. Grains are difficult for dogs’ digestive systems to break down, which leads to increased flatulence and bad breath. Bad dog food can also lead to other health problems that contribute directly or indirectly to dental issues, leading back to mouth odor!
Coprophagia
Dogs are eating their feces – yuck! Coprophagia isn’t too common in Chihuahuas, but it does happen on occasion. It typically occurs when a pup is weaning themselves off milk onto solid foods with no supervision by their owners.
If you see your pup doing this, be sure not to offer any new food until after they have finished “pottying” up whatever just came out of them, and keep a close eye on their diet in the future.
Foreign Object Stuck In Teeth/Mouth
Countless objects can get stuck in your Chihuahua’s mouth, from old pieces of kibble to bones or sticks. If you see any object lodged between your pup’s teeth, remove it gently with tweezers or pliers if necessary- but be careful not to injure yourself!
Foreign Object Stuck In Teeth/Mouth can also cause bad breath. If a piece of food or other object becomes lodged in the teeth or gums, it will start to decompose and produce an unpleasant odor.
Dental Issues
As we mentioned earlier, plaque is one of the dogs’ main causes of bad breath. In addition, dental issues such as gum disease (periodontitis) and tooth decay (caries) typically contribute further to problems like halitosis and oral infections.
Dental issues such as cavities and broken teeth can also lead to bad breath.
Uncommon Possible Health Issues Related To Bad Breath
Bad breath with particular smells can be due to certain health issues. Fishy odors may indicate an infection, while fruity or overly sweet smells may suggest diabetes. Urine-scented bad breath can be indicative of kidney problems. If your Chihuahua has any of these symptoms, you should take them to a veterinarian immediately.
Uncommon possible health issues related to bad breath include liver disease, kidney failure, and diabetes. These diseases often have distinctive smells, so if your Chihuahua’s bad breath doesn’t seem to fit any other category, you may want to take them to the vet.
Bad Breath With Particular Smells
Some Chihuahuas develop bad breath with particular smells, including urine and fish. If your pup has this type of halitosis, you must investigate possible causes immediately- especially if their mouth smells like feces!
Fishy Odor
The fishy breath may indicate an infection or injury to the mouth. If your Chihuahua’s bad breath smells like fish, it might have a foreign object stuck in its teeth/mouth (see “Foreign Object Stuck In Teeth” above for more information).
Fruity Odor
Fruity odors are common among dogs that eat fruit-based foods such as kibble or treats with fruits and vegetables. They can also be caused by diabetes; if you notice this smell combined with other glucose intolerance symptoms (increased drinking, increased urination), take them to a vet immediately!
Urine
You know what it means when your pup’s mouth smells like urine…but why does their breath smell like urine? As it turns out, there are several possible reasons for bad breath that smells like pee.
Kidney disease is one common culprit; if your Chihuahua has this condition (due to another cause or on its own), the kidneys cannot effectively remove waste products from the blood and produce ammonia in the urine- leading to an unpleasant odor when they breathe!
Remedies To Treat A Chihuahua’s Bad Breath (And Keep Breath Clean & Fresh)
The best way to keep your pup’s mouth healthy and smell fresh is by ensuring they have access to clean water.
If Your Chihuahua Does Not Tolerate Brushing, You May Want To Opt For A Spray
If your Chihuahua does not tolerate having its teeth brushed, you may want to opt for a spray. Some sprays can be used as an alternative to brushing!
Brush Your Chihuahua’s Teeth
Brush Your Chihuahuas Teeth! If your pup doesn’t like having their teeth brushed, other options can help keep their breath fresh and clean. For example, you could opt for a specially-formulated spray or gel to keep the mouth healthy and fresh by killing bacteria before it becomes an issue.
The best way is still brushing daily with this pet toothpaste, but sprays/gels may be easier if they don’t enjoy being handled as much as some dogs do not.
Daily Dental Treat
Many different dental chews are available for dogs on the market today, and their benefits go beyond freshening your pup’s breath.
Adding a daily dental chew to your Chihuahua routine can help with tartar build-up and plaque formation, leading to bad breath, painful infections in the mouth, and even tooth loss!
Food Additions
One of the easiest ways to keep your dog smelling fresh is by adding healthy foods like parsley or cilantro (fresh coriander) to their diet.
These herbs are known for their ability to fight halitosis; they work surprisingly quickly at doing so too! Plus, they add some tasty flavor, too…just make sure not to give them either if there isn’t already some in their kibble (for example, if you use a prescription diet like Hill’s).
Conclusion
Bad breath is never ideal; it can indicate several health issues and should always lead to further investigation. However, remember that no matter what the causes of bad breath or halitosis in Chihuahuas may be, regular brushing and dental chews are some of the best ways to keep their mouth fresh-smelling- even when they do have bad breath!
