Have you ever experienced this as a pet parent? After a long, exhausting day, you finally get home and lean in for a cuddle with your furry friend — only to be hit by a wave of fishy dog breath… The truth is, fishy bad breath in dogs is often a warning sign of underlying health issues and should never be ignored. Read on to find out what causes dog bad breath and how to fix it, so your furry family member can enjoy fresh breath again!
What causes dog bad breath? The 3 most common reasons
There are many causes of dog bad breath, most of which are related to health and dietary habits. Here are the 3 most common culprits:
Cause 1: Oral and dental disease
Oral disease is the most common cause of fishy bad breath in dogs. When food residue sits on the tooth surface after eating, it combines with saliva and oral bacteria to form plaque. Without regular cleaning, plaque hardens into tartar, affecting gum health and potentially leading to periodontal disease — all of which cause noticeable bad breath. Small dogs are genetically more prone to tartar and periodontal disease than large dogs, so pet owners really need to stay on top of this!
In addition, puppies that still have baby teeth that haven’t fully fallen out during the growth phase may develop misaligned teeth where food easily gets trapped in the gaps, promoting plaque buildup and leading to bad breath.
Cause 2: Poor dietary habits
Poor dietary habits can also contribute to dog bad breath. Foods high in carbohydrates and sugar create an acidic oral environment — the perfect breeding ground for plaque. Many commercial dog treats are high in sugar, and regular consumption not only increases the risk of cavities but also makes bad breath worse.
Some dogs also love rummaging through the trash for food. Eating spoiled food or garbage can cause noticeably fishy bad breath.
Cause 3: Gastrointestinal disease
Poor eating habits and eating too fast can lead to indigestion or acid reflux, both of which can cause bad breath. Older dogs whose chewing ability and digestive function are starting to decline are also more likely to experience incomplete digestion. Food that remains in the digestive tract ferments with intestinal bacteria, produces gas, and is released through the respiratory tract — resulting in bad breath.
How to fix dog bad breath? 5 tips to try
There are many ways to tackle dog bad breath — the key is comprehensive and consistent oral health care. Here are 5 effective solutions to help you and your furry friend build healthy habits together:
Tip 1: Build a regular tooth-brushing routine
Brushing is the most direct and effective way to remove plaque, prevent tartar buildup, and improve fishy bad breath in dogs. Vets recommend brushing your dog’s teeth at least 2–3 times per week using a pet-specific toothbrush and toothpaste for the best results.
Tip 2: Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings
Taking your dog for regular professional dental check-ups is an effective way to prevent bad breath. According to vet recommendations, having your dog’s teeth examined and professionally cleaned every six months to a year is the ideal frequency.
Tip 3: Improve dietary habits
Adjusting your dog’s diet is another great approach. Since every dog is different, owners should choose food suited to their dog’s age, size, and health condition. Avoid foods that are high in sugar, overly sticky, or hard to digest, as these accelerate plaque formation. It also helps to establish regular, measured mealtimes and encourage slower eating — both support digestive health and help reduce bad breath.
Tip 4: Use dental care products
There are many pet-specific dental aids available that can help with bad breath — dental chews, dental sticks, and similar products allow dogs to maintain oral health and reduce plaque buildup while chewing and playing.
That said, these products cannot fully replace brushing. To truly maintain your dog’s oral health, a regular brushing and check-up routine is still essential!
Tip 5: Keep a closer eye on your dog’s overall health
Dog bad breath is often closely linked to overall health. If your dog has bad breath along with vomiting, decreased appetite, or lethargy, you should visit a vet right away to avoid delaying treatment and allowing the condition to worsen.
Dog tooth-brushing tips: how to stop your dog from dreading brush time!
As mentioned above, building a good tooth-brushing routine is the most effective way to improve dog bad breath. However, for many dogs that weren’t brushed from a young age, having a toothbrush put in their mouth can feel very threatening! Here are 3 practical tips to make tooth brushing easier and less stressful for your dog.
Brushing tip 1: Choose the right toothbrush for your dog
First, make sure you have the right tools. It’s best to use a specially designed pet toothbrush that can reach the back molars, which are hard to access with a regular toothbrush. Finger toothbrushes are also a great option for dogs that aren’t used to a regular toothbrush yet.
Never use human toothpaste on your dog, as the fluoride and foaming agents can cause vomiting or diarrhea. Instead, choose pet toothpaste in food flavors to help your dog accept brushing more readily. Try a few different flavors at first to find out which one your dog likes best.
Brushing tip 2: Create a calm, comfortable brushing environment
Brushing in a quiet, familiar, and comfortable space can greatly reduce your dog’s anxiety and resistance. When setting up the environment, keep the following in mind:
- Avoid noisy environments
- Choose a well-lit but not glaring space
- Pet and calm your dog before brushing to help them relax
- Avoid showing impatience or nervousness yourself
Brushing tip 3: Build a reward system
Creating a positive “brushing = good things happen” reward system can greatly increase your dog’s willingness to cooperate. For example, giving your dog a favorite treat or toy immediately after brushing, or offering verbal praise and physical affection, will make your dog much more likely to cooperate next time.
Want to learn more about dog oral care? Follow Fluv!
Want to learn more tips for caring for your pet, or looking to completely solve your dog’s fishy breath problem? Follow Fluv, Taiwan’s largest pet sitter platform, for all the comprehensive pet care knowledge you need.
If you’re away for work or travel and worried about who will help look after your pet’s oral health, Fluv can match you with experienced pet sitters who provide one-on-one in-home care or boarding services — so you never have to worry about your pet’s wellbeing again!
Further reading:
Can you remove your dog’s tartar at home? Complete guide to treatment and prevention!
What to do when your dog pees in the wrong spot? 3 steps to teach your dog to use the right place
Fluv deals
Appreciation offer — applies to all services
New customers only: enter promo code 【#HOME300】 for $300 off, minimum spend $400
Existing customers only: enter promo code 【#HOME100】 for $100 off
From now until 2025/6/30, every order placed helps stray animals — Fluv will donate 3% of revenue from orders using the above promo codes to stray animal rescue organizations.
Book a professional sitter? Download the Fluv app now: fluv.com
Enjoyed this article? Feel free to share it! Follow Fluv for more interesting pet care tips!
Facebook page: @fluv.pet
Fluv Instagram: @fluv.pet
Youtube: @fluv_tw
Fluv website: www.fluv.com
Views: 1490
Fluv deals | Limited-time offer for devoted pet parents
#Give your pet the best — and the best fit
If you’d like to give your pet a more personalized, home-like care experience, why not try Fluv’s in-home sitter service?
🎁 New customers, enter promo code
NEW95
Book now and enjoy 5% off!
👉 Looking for a caring, professional pet sitter for your furry friend?
Views: 2286
English 
Chinese