If your old dog has bad breath, the first thing you need to do is stop reading this article, make a vet appointment then come back and carry on reading.
You often hear people mention “doggie breath” and assume it’s normal for that to be the case. In fact it usually signals some kind of problem. The sooner you get him looked at, the sooner it will all be sorted.
**There are affiliate links in this post, which means if you purchase anything I may receive a commission. This has no effect on the price you pay.**
What causes bad breath in older dogs
Bad breath is usually caused by gum or dental disease, but not always. Other reasons include –
- Kidney disease/kidney failure
- Diabetes
- Ingesting a toxin
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Tumours in the mouth
- Your dog is simply eating poop
Signs your dog has dental issuesÂ
- Bad breath
- Pawing at his mouth
- Struggling to eat dry food or cookies
- Drooling
- Withdrawn or not himself
- Changes in behaviourÂ
At the vet’s office
The first thing your vet will do is ask about your concerns, what you’ve been noticing, changes in behaviour, when it started… Writing all that down in advance of the appointment will ensure you don’t forget anything, and will make your time together more efficient.
Next your vet will examine your dog’s mouth, or he will at least try to!! Some pups are a lot more cooperative than others, so how willing your dog is will be a factor in how thorough the check up can be. If your dog is anything like mine, the most your vet will be able to do is lift the side of your dog’s mouth and have a quick look at his teeth and gums before any digits are lost!!
Luckily that is usually enough to at least see if there is evidence of periodontal disease and what next steps are needed.Â
If his teeth are fine and there is no obvious explanation for bad breath, your vet will want other tests to check for possible causes. Those tests can include: blood tests, urine, ultrasound…
If all is not perfect, the problem may be resolved with a course of antibiotics, or dental surgery will be recommended.Â
Other things you need to talk about
If dental surgery is the best option, you need to discuss your concerns about anesthesia and cost.
Anesthesia
I know a lot of senior dog parents will flat out refuse dental surgery, because they’re scared of their dogs going under anesthesia. I get it, really I do but…
The last thing any of us want is for our dogs to be left in pain, which is what often happens in this situation. While there is always a risk anesthesia is safer than ever, so please have a conversation with your vet about the risks of going ahead, versus the consequences of leaving things as they are.Â
The one thing I will say is, please make sure you have a vet you trust.Â
Reference:
Anesthesia For The Geriatric Dog And Cat
Cost
I’d love to say you’ll know exactly what the bill will be when you go pick up your dog so you don’t get the shock of your life…but I can’t.Â
Your vet can give you an estimate during your appointment, but he can’t possibly know what he’ll find once your dog is under and he’s able to get a proper look. Even x rays won’t show the whole picture, so try and discuss “worse case scenario” then add some money to that. This way you either won’t be shocked when you get the final bill, or you’ll be pleasantly surprised it was less than expected. Unfortunately I’ve never experienced the latter scenario!
Anesthesia free dental cleaning
While it’s true your dog will not be put under anesthesia for the cleaning, did you know they have to be physically restrained? It sounds horrific to me, but here is more information in this article “What is an Anesthesia Free Pet Dental Cleaning?” from the American Veterinary Dental College.Â
Day of surgery – what to expect
Your dog will be fasting for 12 hours before surgery, but water is allowed until the morning just check with your vet to make sure that’s the case.
Typically dogs are asked to come when the practice opens, and barring any issues will be ready to go home by the end of the day.
I was never sent home with any pain medication, everything was given there, but because my dog Red was quite old my vet recommended Arnica to help her heal.Â
Post surgery
Be sure to ask your vet what you can expect to see, and what signs you should look out for that could cause you concern. Also find out where you can go to for help after hours, just in case.Â
Management/Prevention
Now that your dog’s teeth and mouth are looking fab, it would be great to keep it that way. Just like we keep our teeth and gums healthy with regular brushing and cleaning, the same can be done for our dogs. Luckily there are so many dog dental care products, you’re bound to find something that he is at least okay with. Â
Brushing your dog’s teeth every day is ideal, but isn’t always realistic, which it certainly is not with our dogs. Even if you can only manage a couple of times a week, it is better than nothing. Toothbrushes come in a variety of sizes, and some even fit on your finger, while toothpaste comes in many flavours.
If there’s no way you can use a toothbrush a dental wipe may work. How about toothpaste on a cotton pad? A liquid anti plaque solution is for adding to your dog’s drinking water, powders can be sprinkled onto food or sprays for the mouth. Hard chew toys, bones and dental chews will also help.
Red and dental disease
Red had some issues with her dental health over the years, ranging from a mild infection to dental surgery. We didn’t adopt her until she was 8, and her previous owners didn’t take the best care of her. Red was blind and didn’t let me anywhere near her mouth. She may have been a little dog, but once she clamped her jaws shut that was it. Sometimes I managed to get my cotton pad wrapped finger in her mouth or a finger toothbrush (like in the picture above), but that was rare. It stressed her out so much it wasn’t fair for me to keep trying. I added Plaque Off to her food once a day, but that wasn’t enough.Â
Once she developed pancreatitis, I couldn’t even risk giving her dental chews and she wouldn’t go near a toy. At the end of the day, you can only do the best you can do.Â
What to do if your old dog has bad breath – conclusion
Make sure your vet takes a good look in your dog’s mouth as part of his regular checkups. Staying on top of oral health is a lot easier, and less expensive, then fixing problems.Â
Does your dog let you brush his teeth? What is your dog’s dental care routine? Is he easygoing about it, or does he fight you all the way? Which products have you had the most success with? Sharing helps others so leave a comment below, and check out my senior dog Facebook page.
Everything You Need To Know About Dementia In A Dog
I found this site because I was trying to help my sister find answers for her dogs bad breath. She has 2 dogs that are both still quite young (1 and 3 years old). Every time I visit with her I cringe when the dogs run up to me because of the way their breath smells.
She told me that all dogs have bad breath and it is nothing to be worried about. Do you think I should tell her to take her dogs to the vet? I will share this site with her so she can read the information herself.
Hi Simone, I’m certainly glad you found me. No, bad breath in dogs is not a given, and should definitely be checked out sooner, rather than later. For instance, if her dogs have periodontal disease, the bacteria can damage the liver. Better to be safe! Good luck, I hope her dogs are okay.
Long time ago I had a dog when I use to live with my parents. Now things make more sense when I think about my dogs breath. It was temporary but still very noticeable. Now I know how to deal for the future when I get my own soon.
Thanks 🙂
Hi Marko,
I appreciate your comment. Certain things we assume are just part of the natural ageing process, but it seems like good news in your dog’s case if it was just temporary. Glad you find the information helpful for the future.
It’s an eye-opener to know that bad breath in dogs isn’t always a given. By any chance, would a lack of water in the diet also have something to do with halitosis in dogs, the same way it sometimes does with humans? How much water should your dog lap up in a day, in case?
Hi Sophie, thanks for your comment. The amount of water a dog should drink can be hard to quantify – it depends on size, age, activity level, but it’s thought around 1 oz of water per lb of weight. Of course drinking too little can lead to dehydration and organ failure which could absolutely affect a dog’s breath. My best advice is, if your dog’s breath is bad, see your vet. Also, if he seems to be drinking a lot of water, and conversely, barely any, see the vet. Any changes in the “normal” always warrants a check up.
Hi Hindy, I enjoyed your post. I was told that dogs had the cleanest mouths. I guess I will not live by that adage anymore. We just lost a senior dog to kidney failure, she was a good dog.
Hi Rob, I’m glad you enjoyed the post, thank you. I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. That’s always the worst part about sharing our lives with pets isn’t it? I’ve lost several pets to kidney failure, so every time one of my animals starts drinking and peeing too much, I get nervous. I really am sorry for your loss.
I have two dogs. They are both hound dogs. We use the dental sticks on them. They do seem to help a bit. Do you recommend any particular brand?
Hi Raphael, beautiful dogs! I will be writing a post about dental sticks, filled with pros and cons, and what to look for, as well as dental care for dogs. I personally prefer chews that are made from vegetables, or very basic, natural ingredients. I don’t buy the popular ones sold in supermarkets – I find there are too many ingredients that don’t agree with my dogs. My vets have always recommended Virbac CET chews, raw carrots can be given (as long as your vet says they’re okay for your dogs), and any toys they chew on are helpful. The best way to care for your dog’s teeth is regular brushing and dental checks. Hope this helped!!
Hi Hindy,
Thank you for taking the time to create this article so I can share it with my wife as we have two senior dogs that have some bad breath. We think of them as a part of the family and want to treat them as such. Brushing and taking care of your dog’s dental hygiene is something I never thought was that big of a deal in dogs until after reading this article.
Yours Truly,
Carlton
Hi Carlton, thanks for taking the time to comment. I actually have 4 more posts about this issue coming out this month. Oral hygiene is definitely an overlooked issue in the care of dogs of any age, which is unfortunate because dental disease can cause serious illness, organ damage…. I hope you’ll find other posts useful as well.
This is a really informative post about caring for your elderly dog. I have had many senior pooches to care for which is good in a way, because most of the dogs did live to a ripe old age.
One of the most important areas of a dog’s health though, is definitely his teeth. If not cared for it can lead to life threatening diseases.
One of my relative’s dogs had terrible breath but they didn’t want to take him to the vet because of his age. The dog died shortly after. According to the vet, his teeth were the death of him!
Some dogs seem more prone to dental problems, especially the toy breeds like yorkies. This could have something to do with their diet? Many small breeds are fed a wet diet rather than kibble types.
Great article. Ches
i have been having my beautiful dog at the village and one day when i went there i have realized that it was having a bad breathing it have not pleased me and with the help i got from this post i found out all the necessary information to help him recover his health
thanks for the information
cheers
Jose
Thanks for sharing that Jose. I’m so happy the information helped and your dog is doing well.
That reminds me. I should have Victor’s teeth checked by a Vet. He might need cleaning. Other than chews, i don’t do much about his teeth though I am going to try earthbound gum and teeth wipes
The wipes are a good idea, especially if your dog isn’t fond of you coming at him with a toothbrush!!
What a great post, it’s so important to be on top of our dog’s dental health. I’m always in search for some breath fresheners for the Goldens and try to brush their teeth a few times a week.
That’s great they let you brush their teeth! It’s interesting how many people are unaware of the importance of caring for their pets’ teeth, and the health issues that can arise as a result of poor oral hygiene.
We’ve been trying to encourage tooth-brushing with the cats, so far Charlie is okay with it, Max with tolerate it, but the girls won’t have a bar of it. I’m persevering!
So the girls are the troublemakers I see!!
We adopted Ruby at about 8 and her teeth were already in pretty bad shape. We do brush almost everyday and she did have a dental last spring.
I love that you adopted a senior. I bet she felt so much better after her cleaning, and you’re lucky she lets you brush her teeth. It’s a battle in this house!
People very often think it is alright for their dogs to have bad breath. Most are ill informed about how oral hygiene is so important in their dogs and how ignoring it can have severe health repercussions. Thank you for creating awareness.
I have to agree with you Malaika. Most people don’t realise the importance of proper oral hygiene, and how much it can impact overall health.
It’s so amazing what the mouth can tell you about a dog’s health. My mom keeps her dog’s teeth cleaned on a regular basis.
I believe it’s an often overlooked part of keeping dogs healthy. Your mom’s dog must feel great!
Excellent post Hindy, & very thorough! Dental care is so important for dogs.
Love & biscuits
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Thank you Cathy. It is super important, and I’m hoping to make more and more people aware of that.
Great info, Layla chews on bones which keep her teeth white plus I put Tropiclean in her water daily which combats the bad breath and easier than trying to brush her teeth. Her vet is very happy with them so I am a happy Mom
Thanks Ruth. I’m with you on that one – easier for everyone than brushing! Glad it’s working so well. What kind of bones does Layla chew?
It is just amazing how much influence a pet’s oral health has on the health of the rest of their body! A dirty mouth leads to so many painful problems. Thank you for the tips!
My pleasure! It is amazing, and sadly many people don’t realise the impact poor oral hygiene has on their dog’s health. Not to mention the pain they are often in.
Our doxie is predisposed to terrible teeth and periodontal disease. Even after only six month from a cleaning, his breath starts to change so he’s been getting dentals annually for his entire life. I was just at a meeting earlier today and we were talking about a few rescues and how before their dentals their breath told us they needed cleanings! Good pics in your piece.
Bad breath is definitely a good indicator of overall health. We take our dental care seriously, why not our dogs!
Last year my 6 y/o bichon frise Delia’s mouth started smelling terribly. She has never tolerated tooth brushing and had no interest in chews in the past. After a dental exam she had to have several extracted. I still feel horrible that her mouth was in that bad of shape. Since the extractions she will chew dental chews and natural chews. Thankfully, I started my other dog Chewy with teeth brushing as soon as I adopted him at 8 mos. He’s great about it! Thank you for sharing these tips!
Red’s the same way – she’s a small little dog but you can’t get near her. They definitely feel better after a dental. It’s definitely helpful if you’re able to start young, but starting is the key no matter what age. Hopefully people will start catching on to canine oral hygiene.
I feel like Gracie’a teeth look bad, but then I see pictures of dogs with these yellowish brown teeth that look awful. It makes Gracie’s light yellow spots look better! I’ve become really serious about her dental care since I’ve started noticing the yellow.
I’m sure a lot of us could become more serious about dental care. I’m sure Gracie is very happy about that!
My dogs don’t like to have their teeth brushed. They love their dental chews and don’t mind a water additive, though. One of the dogs (age 7) had a broken tooth and needed to have it pulled, and her breath is so much better now.
They’ll never turn their noses up at chews will they? I can’t get near my dogs’ mouths to brush their teeth. Red is a small little girl, but when she clamps those jaws shut, forget it. Even my vet can’t do it without help.
We brush Mr. N’s teeth every day and he had a dental last year. Small dogs tend to have bad teeth!
Mr. N is lucky you’re so on top of his dental care, and the fact that he’s so cooperative doesn’t hurt.
It’s shocking how dental health affects the whole body! I also brush my dog’s teeth if I notice they’re not smelling fresh, I wonder if they like having a clean mouth.
Hi Lindsay, it is surprising and too few people realise it. I’m assuming they’re as happy as we are!!
This is something I need to get better at staying on top of
You’re not alone!
Stinky breath in dogs is not normal and always needs to be addressed. Oral disease is the main reason but there also can be foreign bodies, growths, or systemic problems outside the mouth.
Couldn’t agree with you more Jana.
My dogs (the corgis) have good teeth (so says their vet) at 7 years old and I’m thankful for that. But whenever one of them has significant bad breath, I always worry that something in their mouth has gone awry. So true about chronic bad breath being a bad sign. My little rescue chihuahua is missing almost all her teeth at 10 years old, and I’m sure it could have been prevented. Thankfully, she manages just fine without them.
Poor little Chi, sounds like neglect by her previous guardians. Amazing how adaptable they are. It’s great your corgis have such great teeth – I would love to be able to avoid the cost of a dental.
Thanks for writing this. My Puggle suffers from bad breath & know it’s due to her previous owners didn’t keep up on her dental health. I’ve been struggling with DIY options due to not wanting to put her under anesthesia. Learning there are dental cleanings available while they are awake is wonderful news.
I do have to say that if your dog already has bad breath the DIY options won’t help. It’s important to have her checked on by a vet so you can get a better idea of any dental issues she may be experiencing. Of course I understand the hesitation of anesthesia but my dog had a dental cleaning when she was around 15 and had a few issues including a heart murmur. My vet and I decided the risk of doing nothing was far greater than the surgery. You definitely have to trust your vet to feel comfortable going down that road. Once the surgery is over than the cleaning options will help.
My dog has the worst breath! Ugh, thanks for the information, will see if he has any symptoms of bigger health issues and integrate some of the tips you’ve provided! Thanks! 😀
Hi Ava, if your dog has such bad breath there’s a good chance he’s in pain and needs a cleaning. I highly recommend you make a vet appointment sooner rather than later. Good luck!
I wish there were enough mouth products and cleaners for cats as there are for dogs. The toothbrushes on the market for cats are not ideal, perhaps I should invent my own! Dental health is a hot topic in our 10-cat household. My senior cat became blind after dental surgery removing 10 teeth. And five of the other younger cats have some sort of dental issue which we are on top of now. Dental health is so important for cats and dogs as it is one of the main causes of many health issues that may affect them later. And yes, so true, you don’t have to live with ‘doggie breath!’
Wow 10 cats, you do have your hands full!! There are dental wipes available or I used to wrap a cotton pad around my finger, put a little toothpaste on it and I found it a bit easier than a brush. Dental health is super important and poor oral hygiene can lead to lots of problems down the road.
This all holds true for cats too. I used to be one of those that thought bad breath was normal for both cats and dogs, but I’m glad I learned otherwise! When my cats’ breath starts stinking, to the vet they go!
Absolutely it’s true for cats as well!