 As pet owners, we experience our pets engaging in some pretty strange behavior. In some cases, we’ll wish we could get it on film, and other times, it can leave us confused or even angry. Strange behavior can also be a symptom that something is wrong with your pet, especially if it’s a strange smell. So, it’s not unusual to start asking questions if your dog’s breath suddenly starts to smell like fish. If this has happened to you, keep reading while we look at the reasons that might be behind your dog smelling like fish as well as what you can do about it. Show
The 3 Reasons Dog’s Breath Smells Like FishImage Credit: Natalia Fedosova, ShutterstockYour dog’s breath might smell like fish because your pet food contains fish among the ingredients. Omega fats are an increasingly popular and healthy ingredient in pet food. Each year more companies add it to their recipes, and the majority of omega fats come from fish oil. Even if you feed your dog chicken or turkey dinners, there may be fish oil in the food that’s causing your dog’s breath to stink. Look over the ingredients of the food you provide, including the treats to look for fish or omega fats. Omega fats can be in wet or dry dog food. What Can I Do About My Dog’s BreathYou can try to switch brands to find one that masks the fish smell better. However, omega fats are extremely helpful, so you should try to find a way to keep them in your pet’s diet. They can help your dog maintain a shiny coat and help reduce inflammation, among many other things. Image Credit: photosforyou, PixabayIf plaque and tartar build up on your dog’s teeth, it can lead to bad breath or halitosis. The odor can resemble the smell of fish without your pet eating any. What Can I Do About Halitosis?If you think halitosis is the reason behind your dog’s fishy smell, the best thing you can do is take it to get a dental cleaning. Strange smelling halitosis can be a sign of dental disease, and it’s quite common, with some experts suggesting more than 80% of dogs over 3 years old are affected. If you can’t afford a doggy dentist, you can try brushing the teeth manually to see if it helps, and you should feed your dog dry kibble. Dry kibble helps scrape away plaque and tartar to prevent dental disease and halitosis. Image Credit: Lucia Romero, ShutterstockNobody wants to say it, but if you have a dog, especially a small or overweight one, you will have to get used to it. Impacted anal glands are a common problem for many dogs, and one of the symptoms is scooting across the floor dragging their butt. Another is the unmistakable smell of fish that impacted anal glands produce, and we all know that dogs like to lick their butt, and now you know why their breath also smells like fish. Anal glands are small sacks near the anus that are similar to sweat glands, except these excrete the odor dogs use to mark their territory. The “sweat” these glands produce rubs off onto the feces when your dog does its business, and it becomes a territory marker. These glands also explain why dogs are so keen on sniffing each other’s butts when they meet. It’s the best way to get acquainted with each other’s scent. If the anal sacs become clogged, your dog cannot squeeze the scent onto the feces, and it continues to build up in the sacks, which can become quite painful for your pet. When you see them scooting across the floor, they are trying to squeeze the glands for relief manually. As the sacks continue to fill, they can become infected and create a fishy smell. What Can I Do About It?If you believe your pet is suffering from swollen anal glands, we recommend taking your dog to the vet immediately. The vet can express the gland to remove the fluid and even show you how to save on medical costs. The vet will also look for the more serious cause of the impacted glands, like tumors. Overweight dogs have a difficult time completely emptying the sacks, so maintaining proper weight can significantly reduce the frequency of impacted anal glands. Summary: Why Does My Dog Smell Like FishUnfortunately, if the fish smell is strong and seems to come from the entire dog, including its breath, there is a good chance the cause is impacted anal glands. If you see your dog doing the scoot, it will be time to visit the vet. If the fish smell is only something you’ve been noticing when it kisses your face, we recommend checking the ingredients in the food for omega fats. If you still can’t explain the smell, schedule a dental cleaning to ensure there isn’t some infection in the mouth. Crunchy kibble will keep your dog’s teeth much cleaner than canned food and can prevent halitosis and slow dental disease. We hope you have enjoyed reading over this guide and found the answers you needed. If we have helped your dog smell better, please share this guide to why your dog might smell like fish on Facebook and Twitter. Related Read: 20 Most Smelly Dog Breeds Featured Image Credit: Manushot, Shutterstock
When a dog’s breath smells like fish, it’s only natural dog owners might wonder why. It would be understandable if you lived near a pond or a lake. A dog could easily get a hold of a dead fish and take a few bites. But what if you live miles from the nearest body of water, and your pet still has fishy smelling breath? There are a few reasons why the breath of a dog can smell this way. It can happen whether you have a puppy or an adult dog. Let’s look at a few of the potential reasons behind issues involving a dog’s foul breath. Potential Dental IssuesA dog’s mouth can sometimes emit a fishy odor due to dental issues. Plaque build-up is one of the more common culprits. A dog’s mouth contains a lot of bacteria. So does the average human’s mouth, for that matter. These bacteria can buildup to the point where they turn into plaque. When there’s too much plaque in the mouth, that can lead to other dental issues. These include gingivitis, tartar, and conditions affecting the gums. A fish odor coming from your dog’s mouth could be a sign of a problem involving your pet’s dental health.1 What Dog Owners Should Know About Dental Care For Your PetDental problems can lead to major issues that may damage the bones and tissues around a tooth. This can weaken a tooth to the point to where it falls out. Even worse, a dog’s oral issues can affect the rest of their body, including major organs.2 Oral Hygiene Is Important: Keep Your Dog’s Mouth CleanMany veterinarians encounter oral issues on a regular basis. If your pet has bad breath, it’s worth taking it up with your vet. But once oral issues are cleared up, related health problems may clear up as well. Many dog owners go to their vet every few months to have their dog’s mouth checked and cleaned.3 Veterinarians can educate owners on the proper way to clean a dog’s teeth. Using special toothpaste for dogs and following proper brushing practices can help improve a dog’s dental hygiene. Chews can also help cleanse a dog’s mouth. Other Possible Reasons Your Dog Has Stinky BreathThere could be other reasons that a dog’s breath can smell fishy – or just plain bad. If your dog’s breath has a foul smell, it could have something to do with grooming. It could also be related to your pet’s diet. Here’s a look at both possibilities. Grooming IssuesSome people don’t have the time or the money to get their pet groomed as often as they should. This can lead to a dog’s anal glands becoming filled with a liquid that can smell like fish. When the anal glands aren’t “expressed,” or cleared out regularly, they can become clogged. If this happens, a dog will find it annoying and uncomfortable. They might lick – or even bite – the area in order to empty the glands. This will transfer the stinky smell from the glands to the dog’s mouth.4 A veterinarian or groomer can quickly and easily express the anal glands of a pet and get rid of the problem. DietA dog’s diet can sometimes lead to breath that has a foul smell. Foods that contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids usually have a fish oil base.5 Other foods that might be part of your dog’s diet, like salmon or other fish products, may contribute to smelly dog breath. Whether you feed your pup a special urinary tract diet or one to help promote strong bones, some of the ingredients could result in fishy dog breath. Should you make a switch? If you suspect dog food might be behind your pooch’s pungent breath, your vet can investigate. See Your Veterinarian If Your Dog’s Breath Smells Like FishIf your dog has bad breath, it’s time to pay a visit to your veterinarian. More than likely, the reason doesn’t have anything to do with any major health issues. Your pet might just need a good dental cleaning. Learn More: Sources 1 https://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/pet-health/dog-health/why-does-my-dogs-breath-smell-like-fish 2 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-myths-debunked-dog-dental-care/ 3 https://www.petmd.com/dog/grooming/evr_dg_oral_hygiene_and_your_dogs_health 4 https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Why-Does-Your-Dogs-Breath-Stink-Common-Causes-of-Dog-Halitosis 5 https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/fish-oil |
Why does my dogs breath smell like fish
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