Bad breath, medically termed ‘halitosis’, is a common problem reported by pet owners. The most common cause of halitosis is some sort of dental problem. Bacteria, saliva and food particles can form plaque, which causes bad breath. This can further develop into gingivitis, or worse, periodontal disease, which will make the breath even more unpleasant.

In addition to dental problems, other causes of bad breath include:

# Diabetes mellitus
# Kidney disease
# Gastrointestinal disease including cancers and obstructions
# Infections of areas around the mouth, such as the folds of the lips
# Respiratory disease, e.g.; some sinus infections
# Dietary “indiscretions” such as eating stool or spoiled garbage
# Other oral disease such as tonsillitis, cancer, trauma, and some autoimmune diseases

Any pet with bad breath should be examined by a veterinarian, unless you know it’s caused by something the pet ate. Some causes of bad breath can cause severe and even fatal complications if not treated promptly.