Does your dog smell like a dead animal is about to crawl out of its mouth? Then you should get to the bottom of the cause immediately! A little bad breath is normal for four-legged friends if the aroma is in the direction decay But you have to be careful.
Because that Causes for this They can be very harmless and easily remedied as well as painful and possibly even life-threatening.
So that you know what the smell could be, I have written it for you in this article The 10 most common causes of putrefactive bad breath compiled. You will also find 5 solutions, which have proven very effective for many polluters.
The 10 most common causes for bad breath like putrefaction in dogs
1. Dental problems
If a dog smells disgusting from his mouth for a long time, there is often an understandable reason: he has Bite problems.
Dogs have a very high tolerance for pain, so they often don't let it show if something is wrong with their teeth. However, such problems are widespread, especially when it comes to: tartar, which weakens the substance and – down to the roots and even further – bacteria favored.
This is how you check whether the dog's teeth are OK. Source: AniCura Animal Clinics & Veterinary Practices / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZBJfj6aErw .
Also broken teeth, e.g. because the animal has bumped into itself is a real ticket for germs. These then multiply and form, among other things, sulfur compounds, which sometimes smell like something rotten.
Dental problems can affect not only the mouth area, but also yourself extend to the entire body. For example, a festering eye often has its origin in the mouth.
Animals that are often affected by tartar are: Wet food receive. Also Misalignments – which are genetically common in some breeds such as bulldogs or Chihuahuas – are risk factors.
2. Dog poaching or eats garbage/carrion
Your dog is traveling alone a lot and smells like it's coming out of your mouth after a long trip? Then it could well be that he ate something disgusting that your nose now has to put up with.
Some four-legged friends like to go unsupervised hunting instinct and then eat mainly small animals. That too Eating carrion or garbage is one of the favorite activities of many independent and curious animals.
But that's not a really good idea: On the one hand, the risk of your loved one becoming involved increases Parasites or others pathogens infected, strong. On the other hand, it is one Upset stomach more likely because of spoiled food.
3. Foul-smelling food
But it doesn't always have to be garbage: even with healthy dog food There is a chance that bad breath will remain.
This is something that owners often complain about when their furry friends BARF. Some raw ingredients such as tripe smell bad even in the bowl – if the dog burps once, the odor nuisance becomes even worse.
But there are also ready-made foods that can be a test of patience for the nose. These include, for example, varieties that, above all, Fish use. Also some additives or dietary supplements such as Green-lipped mussel can give rise to the thought that the four-legged friend has eaten a dead animal.
4. Coprophagia
This is also a disgusting matter Coprophagia: This is what experts describe as the behavior of eating feces – be it your own, that of other animals or that of other animals.
It's surprisingly common among dogs: some cramped animals do it to stay clean, but it's thought that most cases occur due to curiosity or lack of nutrients.
Detailed information
You can find all the causes and solutions to this problem in our “Dog eats poop” article.
But it's still risky, and not just because of the smell:
- Feces contain a lot germs, especially harmful bacteria. Not only can these cause illness, but they can even worsen bad breath because of the sulfur build-up in the body.
- Furthermore, it often contains Parasites or their eggs.
- Due to possible drug residues – especially with horse manure and cow dung – Danger of poisoning.
Get to the bottom of the cause
Attention: If your dog vomits pieces of feces, it may be that he has eaten them before. But it is also possible that he has his intestinal contents – for example because of one intestinal obstruction – is eliminated again. Then there would be a danger to life!
5. Four-legged friend eats Indigestible
Instead of poop, some dogs also eat other things that actually have nothing to do with food. This often includes indigestible materials such as stones, wood, grass, plastic or metal.
Experts then also speak of Pica syndrome. In dogs it can be an eating disorder, but it is also possible that the four-legged friend is trying to consume fiber.
The foreign bodies themselves are dangerous for the digestive tract, but otherwise do not actually cause bad breath. An “accessory” is responsible for this. Objects or plants lying around outdoors are: often infected with non-dog bacteria, which initiate decomposition processes in the body.
6. rhinitis & Sinusitis
Bad breath can also come from the nose: Inflammations like one rhinitis (nasal mucosa) or one Sinusitis (Nasal sinuses) are comparatively common and are often initially caused by viruses. But also one bacterial infection or Mushrooms are possible as a cause or a consequence.
The latter are often very stubborn: bacteria and fungi spread more and more and migrate into the oral cavity and tongue, among other places. Sulfur compounds cause a strong bad breath, which becomes even more disgusting when combined with food.
Other symptoms of such inflammation include a runny nose, runny nose, breathing problems (e.g. wheezing), purulent discharge or fever.
7. Respiratory diseases
Also Respiratory diseases often start virally and then invite bacteria. But there are also purely bacterial infections. In both cases, a bad smell from the mouth is a typical sign; it arises because bacteria settle in the tongue, lips and oral cavity.
In some cases it smells more chemical, but sometimes the aroma is reminiscent of carrion. Other typical symptoms include lethargy, shortness of breath/rattling, cough and fever.
Respiratory infections can also become bronchitis and become chronic. In the long term, the symptoms resemble asthma.
8. Gastrointestinal problems & Stomach hyperacidity
At a Stomach hyperacidity As the name suggests, the body produces too much stomach acid. Although this generally doesn't cause an extreme stench, when the dog burps it can smell a bit foul.
Things get worse when additional gastrointestinal problems arise, for example in the form of an infection or due to parasites. Then more bacteria are emitted, especially in combination with stronger-smelling food, which can result in a pretty disgusting odor.
9. Diseases of the metabolic organs
Like all mammals, dogs also have metabolic organs. They have various functions, but one of the main tasks is to remove toxins from the body.
Unfortunately, there are some four-legged friends who are underperforming in this regard various diseases suffer. These include, for example: Liver failure, kidney failure or a (chronic) Inflammation of the pancreas. Also diabetes is often included in this group. These ailments are influenced by various factors, such as genetic reasons, poisoning or poor diet and obesity.
If left untreated, the ailments are life-threatening in the long term. A change in bad breath is particularly typical for diabetes, kidney and liver failure – depending on the food eaten, this can also smell like decay.
10. Tumors in the mouth area
And unfortunately there are also dogs that… Tumors in the mouth area suffer. These make up approximately 6 percent of all malignant tumors and are very aggressive: If you suspect a tumor, you should to the vet immediately, Because often something can only be done with early detection.
Common mouth tumors in dogs
- Malignant melanomas
- Squamous cell carcinomas
- Fibrosarcomas
Source: Oberhaching Animal Clinic
Unfortunately, most tumors are only detected when the dog is already visibly suffering, such as no longer wanting to chew or drooling bloody saliva.
That's why it's important to pay attention to bad breath: A rotten aroma that smells like decay is one typical side effect of these cancers.
5 solutions against the smell of decay from the mouth
The causes of the smell of decay from the mouth are very diverse and range from very harmless reasons to potentially life-threatening diseases. You should So be sure to take harassment seriously and get to the bottom of things.
It is particularly important, too other symptoms to look out for that could indicate that something is wrong. This way you can narrow down the likely cause and start working on a solution.
home remedies Although they are highly regarded by many animal lovers, they do not help with this problem: baking soda, for example, can help in small quantities with fur care or stomach problems, but it does not eliminate the causes of bad breath. The following solutions are more helpful.
1. Regular dental care
Bad breath can often be prevented by: regular dental care is operated. The four-legged friend has little chance here – he can only do something by rubbing off the dry food he has eaten.
This means that you are challenged. Especially if your dog has different teeth, you really need to do regular dental care. There are different options for this: Some people swear by one Toothbrush with dog toothpaste, others prefer to give to their furry friend Dental sticks or Chew bones.
Dental and oral care is also for them Early detection of tumors extremely important!
Dental care products for four-legged friends
If you want to find out more about the topic, you should also take a look at our “Dental Care Products” check for 2025.
2. Feed change
Also promising in many cases is one Change of food.
- When BARFing, for example, you can give more muscle meat instead of tripe – ideally together with vegetables.
- If your dog is fed standard food, it may make sense to switch to a type that contains little or no fish.
- When it comes to smelly nutritional supplements, it is often helpful to use capsules instead of powder. These usually only open in the four-legged friend's stomach.
If your darling has chronic dental problems, there is also one Switch from wet to dry food promising. Then tartar is rubbed off more easily and a factor for bad breath is eliminated in advance.