Veterinarian Fox Chapel | Is Stinky Pet’s Breath Normal
Many pet owners can’t resist letting their furry family member get close and personal, says veterinarian Fox Chapel. Dr. Richard Linkheimer, the owner of River Valley Veterinarian Hospital says many pets love to give kisses, and many pet owners love to allow it. Who can resist an excited dog jumping up, and planting a wet kiss right on your cheek? And while no one is expecting the freshest of breath when it comes to your cat or dog, stinky breath can actually be a sign of problems, and it’s up to us as the pet parents to know when to do something about it.
If you notice that your pet’s breath is worse than the regular amount of dog breath, it could be what the animal is eating. Regular pet food and pet treats shouldn’t cause bad breath, says veterinarian Fox Chapel, Dr. Linkenheimer. But if your dog has recently gotten into the garbage, discovered animal remains or found some snacks in the cat box, or found dog poop to eat while on a walk or in the off leash park, this may account for the especially terrible breath.
Bad Breath Caused By Periodontal Disease
One way to know for sure, is to get into the habit of brushing your pet’s teeth. This is a good habit to get into, because it can prevent tartar build up, which leads to gingivitis and periodontal disease. But also, if you’re regularly brushing, you will be acutely aware of when your pet has eaten something that they shouldn’t have. However, another important reason to brush your pet’s teeth regularly, according to veterinarian Fox Chapel, is because if your pet develops gingivitis or periodontal disease, that can be the cause of their stinky breath.
If a pet owner has not gotten into the habit of brushing their pet’s teeth, and have started to notice over time, that their pet’s breath has become offensively bad, that is likely caused by poor dental hygiene. This is in fact, the most common cause of bad breath in cats and dogs. A dental cleaning by veterinarian Fox Chapel can help clear a lot of the bad odor away, but learning how to properly care for pet’s teeth will keep the smelly breath at a minimum.
Veterinarian Fox Chapel | Don’t Overlook Bad Breath
Whatever pet owners do, warns veterinarian Fox Chapel, they should never ignore bad breath from their pets. While the most common culprit is poor dental hygiene, bad breath can be caused by other health problems in your pet, such as diabetes, kieney disease, or liver disease. () If you discover that your pet’s breath is worse than ever, before you buy them some breath cleaning dental chews, or try feeding your pet probiotic yogurt as a home cure, you should call your veterinarian Fox Chapel for an appointment right away.
Not only will they be able to draw blood and run many tests to determine if your cat or dog has diabetes, liver or kidney disease. But they will be able to get the lab results during your appointment, so you can get a diagnosis right away, and most importantly, start treatment immediately. This will give your pet the best prognosis in the long run. If after tests, your pet has been given a clean bill of health, and it’s not caused by poor oral hygiene, then you can talk to River Valley Veterinarian Hospital about how to improve on your furry family member’s malodourous breath.
They can discuss feeding your pet a high quality diet with the right food and in the right amount. How to properly brush your pet’s teeth, and what toothpaste and toothbrush to use. What pet treats are going to help in the bad breath department, and if you should worry about using a water additive. By being proactive and getting your pet in to the veterinarian as soon as you notice a problem, pet owners can feel good about ensuring that when they get kisses from their pet, that there’s nothing nefarious behind it.
Contact Us Today!
Make an appointment with your veterinarian Fox Chapel clinic, River Valley Veterinarian Hospital today. Dr. Richard Linkenheimer and his staff are waiting to meet you and your pet. They are passionate in helping pet owners receive the best in veterinarian care, all for the love of animals.