Bad Breath in Dogs Dubai | Causes, Treatment & Prevention Tips

What to do if your dog has bad breath

Check your dog’s teeth and gums:

• Healthy teeth should appear white and clean
• Look for brown discolouration starting at the gum line, indicating tooth decay
• Check for hard deposits (tartar) coating the teeth
• Ensure teeth aren’t loose or wobbly
• Healthy gums are pink. Red, swollen or bleeding gums signal problems
• Around 80% of dogs develop some level of dental disease during their lifetime

Examine inside your dog’s mouth (if you can do so safely):

• Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, etc) are prone to decaying food becoming trapped between teeth
• Check for foreign objects between teeth or in the gums, especially small stones or debris common in Dubai’s sandy environment

Inspect your dog’s lips and surrounding skin:

• Red, inflamed skin around the mouth can contribute to odour
• Check for infections in skin folds under the lips. In Dubai’s humid conditions, skin fold infections develop more readily

Common causes of bad breath in dogs

Bacterial infection and dental decay are the primary culprits behind your dog’s unpleasant breath. Several factors common to Dubai lifestyles can also contribute.

Dental and oral causes:

• Tooth and gum disease (periodontal disease)
• Food particles or debris trapped between teeth
• Infected or inflamed lip folds (more common in Dubai’s humidity)
• Mouth tumours or growths

Systemic health issues:

• Kidney disease, liver disease or diabetes
• These conditions may be exacerbated by heat stress in Dubai

Behavioural and dietary factors:

• Eating faeces (poo) or anal gland (scent gland) secretions
• High fish oil content in the diet or supplements
• Consuming inappropriate items (particularly relevant given Dubai’s construction debris and varied outdoor environment)

Environmental factors specific to Dubai:

• Dehydration from heat reduces saliva, the mouth’s natural cleanser
• Sand and dust particles contribute to dental problems
• Different water mineral content affects oral health

When to worry about bad breath in your dog

Seek immediate veterinary attention if:

• Bad breath accompanies other systemic symptoms, such as weakness, complete loss of appetite, and collapse

Seek prompt help from a vet if your dog shows these concerning signs:

Facial and eating indicators, such as:

• Pawing or rubbing at their face
• Gagging or retching
• Eating only on one side of their mouth
• Excessive drooling
• Refusing dry food or stopping eating entirely
• Facial swelling on one side

Systemic symptoms:

• Changes in drinking or eating habits (particularly important in Dubai’s heat)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Lethargy or reduced interest in walks
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Excessive licking under the tail or scooting behaviour

In Dubai’s climate, these symptoms may develop more rapidly due to heat stress and dehydration, making prompt veterinary care even more critical.

Tips on how to prevent your dog from developing bad breath

Daily dental hygiene:

• Brush your dog’s teeth daily using dog-specific toothpaste designed to remove plaque and bacteria
• Use dog-friendly mouthwash or dental sprays as alternatives
• Microfibre tooth-cleaning cloths work well for dogs who resist brushing

Environmental care specific to Dubai:

• Clean lip folds daily with cleansing wipes or warm salt water, ensuring thorough drying afterwards – particularly important in Dubai’s humid conditions, which favour rapid bacterial growth
• Provide constant access to fresh filtered or bottled water to combat the effects of dehydration

Dietary management:

• Feed a balanced, high-quality diet and avoid sugary human treats
• Consider dental-specific prescription diets, whose content and kibble size/shape combat bacterial plaque and scale
• Offer appropriate dental chews and treats designed for oral health. Be careful to limit these, as many are high in fat and calories

Lifestyle modifications:

• Avoid throwing sticks for fetch: splinters can lodge in your dog’s mouth
• Discourage chewing on stones or the construction debris common in parts of Dubai
• Schedule regular general health, weight, and dental check-ups with your vet. Every six months allows for early identification and treatment of any issues.

How to tell if your dog is developing bad breath and where the smell is coming from

It’s usually easy to notice bad breath whenever they sidle up to you for a cuddle! But also watch for these additional signs.

Indicators of oral (mouth) discomfort:

• Resistance during tooth brushing or mouth examination
• Behavioural changes, such as increased grumpiness or withdrawal
• Preference for softer foods
• Dropping food and difficulty eating

How to treat the causes of bad breath at home

Bad breath should be investigated by your vet, but you can take steps at home to keep your pet comfortable before and after the visit.

Immediate interventions:

• Maintain strict dietary discipline, avoiding human food scraps
• Keep facial skin folds clean and thoroughly dried

Dubai-specific considerations:

• Monitor and encourage water intake due to climate demands
• Protect your dog from sandy, dusty environments during walks
• Consider indoor exercise during periods of extreme heat to reduce environmental exposure

Ongoing maintenance:

• Schedule regular health and weight monitoring with your vet
• Control exercise and play to reduce the risk of foreign object ingestion
• Establish a consistent dental care routine

How vets treat bad breath in dogs

Treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause, and your vet will create a plan tailored to your pet’s specific needs.

Diagnostic procedures:

• Comprehensive oral examination, under sedation or anaesthetic if necessary
• Dental X-rays to evaluate tooth roots and the surrounding bone
• Blood and urine tests to check for organ health, function, and other illnesses
• Biopsy of unusual growths or tissue changes
• Advanced imaging (CT or MRI) in complex cases

Treatment options:

• Professional dental cleaning and scaling under general anaesthesia
• Surgical tooth extraction for severely diseased teeth
• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Specific treatment of any underlying systemic conditions
• Surgical correction of problematic lip folds
• Specialist referrals when appropriate

For Dubai residents, ensure your chosen veterinary clinic has experience with heat-related complications and appropriate facilities for safe anaesthesia in the local climate.

Are some dogs more at risk of developing bad breath?

High-risk categories:

• Elderly dogs and those who had a poor nutritional start in life
• Brachycephalic breeds, including Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Bulldogs
• Dogs with prominent facial skin folds, including Spaniels and West Highland White Terriers
• Dogs who tend to chew things they shouldn’t

Dubai-specific risk factors:

• Dogs spending a lot of time outdoors in sandy environments
• Pets with limited access to fresh water throughout the day
• Dogs experiencing frequent temperature changes between the air-conditioned indoors and the hot outdoors
• Those with weakened immune systems due to heat stress