We have all heard the phrase 'dog breath'. Telling someone they have dog breath is not a compliment, that's for sure. But if you are a dog owner, you know the difference between dog breath and stinky breath in dogs. The latter can be magnitudes worse!
The truth about stinky breath in dogs is that it can be hard to pinpoint. It is easy to assume that it's the food you are feeding him. That could be the case, but it's not likely. When food impacts a dog's breath, the impacts are probably indirect. Most underlying causes of bad breath in dogs are related to underlying conditions.
Dogs are a lot like humans in the sense that oral health problems can lead to stinky breath. Dogs are just as susceptible to plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth. Plaque and tartar contribute to gum disease, which is a known cause of bad breath.
Tooth decay is another potential problem. The bacteria and other microorganisms associated with tooth decay can flourish in a dog's mouth. You could make the case that there is an indirect connection with food, at least in the sense that a diet that promotes good oral health should reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
Food has another indirect influence on stinky breath by way of ingredients. For instance, a diet high in fish products can cause a dog's breath to exhibit a very distinct fishy odor. The odor could be interpreted as stinky breath to someone who does not appreciate fish.
Along those same lines is stinky breath related to gastrointestinal upset. Consider a dog whose stomach doesn't digest certain kinds of food very well. The longer the food sits in the digestive tract, the more likely it is to begin fermenting. This produces gas which, in turn, can lead to bad breath.
One could also make the case that food is directly related to bad breath because it isn't being properly digested. But the effect is still indirect. It is not the food itself that contaminates the dog's breath. Rather, the problem is food-related digestive issues.
It's impossible to talk about stinky breath in dogs without bringing up gut health. A dog's gut is related to so much of his overall health and well-being that 70% of their immune system is influenced by the gut. To explain this properly, let us start with the basics.
The digestive system, which we otherwise call the gut, naturally contains a variety of bacteria and other microbes. Good gut health stipulates all these organisms are in proper balance. They are necessary for digestion, by the way. If they get out of balance, you have the condition we call poor gut health.
Just like gut health plays a role in a dog's breath, food plays a role in maintaining good gut health. Poor gut health could mean stinky breath. Good gut health should mean 'normal' dog breath.
To the extent that your choice of food influences your dog's gut health, it can contribute to bad breath in an indirect way. A food that does not promote good gut health could actually be exacerbating the poor gut health condition. That would mean stinky breath.
Although food is rarely the direct cause of stinky breath in dogs, it can be indirectly related. Fortunately, the solution is easy: change the food. If your dog regularly exhibits stinky breath, consider switching from your current brand to Nextrition cold-pressed dog food.
