Some dog breeds are more susceptible to bad breath than others of their species. Small dogs, in particular, have some pretty nasty problems with their breath. Dachshunds and Mini Dachshunds both fall on the list of potentially stinky companions to share your breathing air.
While Dachshunds do have particularly smelly mouths, it is not usually an incurable problem! The bad smell coming from your dog’s mouth can be from a few different things, but the most common problem that causes bad breath in the Dachshund breed is a very simple one. Dirty teeth!
If your Dachshund’s mouth starts to smell less than fresh, check their teeth for dental problems. While their tiny faces and small stature are adorable, their small jaw and petite bite both contribute to their breed’s dental hygiene problems. It’s mainly because small breed dogs’ teeth are much closer together than their larger canine counterparts, making it easier for plaque and tartar to build up quickly.
Why Do Dachshunds Mouths Stink So Badly?
There are a few factors that contribute to that stinky breath your Dachshund keeps breathing in your face. However, the most common reason is the dental disease that can quickly follow untreated tartar buildup in your pooch’s mouth. According to VCA Hospital Network, dental disease is a problem for more than 80% of the dogs (age 3+) that they treat, making it the leading factor in stinky dog breath.
If your lovable Dachshund shows signs of dental problems, getting rid of their stinky breath could be as easy as taking them to the vet for a cleaning. While you are there, you should talk to the vet about appropriate tools and cleansers for keeping your pup’s mouth clean at home as well.
They will be able to recommend an appropriate brush for your dog’s age and gum condition so that you can keep the smelly tartar buildup away for good. Your vet will also be able to tell you if any other underlying conditions are contributing to the foul smell coming from your Dachshund’s mouth.
Other Common Causes Of Bad Breath
If a cleaning doesn’t do the trick, you’ll want to consider other possible reasons for your pooch’s bad breath. Other possible causes for bad breath in Dachshund’s include-
- Nasty eating habits can definitely contribute to your Dachshund’s bad breath. Dachshunds will eat a lot of really icky things, including carrion (rotting animals), animal poop, and regular old garbage. Obviously, ingesting any of these things will make your dog smell rather bad.
- Stomach and bowel problems can occur in Dachshunds that have too much variety in their diets. A little variety provides good nutrition, but too much variety causes indigestion, leading to smelly breath.
Disease Factors
- Kidney disease is not uncommon in the Dachshund breed and is known to cause the smell of urine on your dog’s breath. Kidney disease can be a secondary problem to dental disease or the result of a bad diet.
- Diabetes is also a common cause of bad breath in small dogs such as the Dachshund breed. If your pup’s breath smells sickly sweet or fruity, it’s time to get them tested for Diabetes.
- Liver disease can commonly cause a bad-fish smell that comes from a dog’s mouth. Liver disease in Dachshunds is usually a secondary health issue resulting from poor dental health.
- Tumors of the mouth and throat are also known to cause particularly terrible breath in small dogs like the Dachshund.
Even though bad breath is common in Dachshunds, it is important to work with your vet to figure out the specific cause of your dog’s bad breath. Once you’ve identified the problem, they can receive any necessary medical help needed. The problem could be as simple as needing their teeth cleaned, but some of these other issues obviously require much more medical care.
How Can You Prevent Dachshunds’ Breath From Stinking?
Now that you know how serious dental hygiene is for your little furry friend, there are a lot of great ways for you to improve their dental health and avoid foul-smelling breath in the future! To start with, talk to your vet about how frequently your Dachshund should have their teeth cleaned. For small dog breeds, vets usually recommend a dental cleaning twice per year.
Another powerful preventative measure for bad Dachshund breath is oral solutions intended for use at home. You can use a toothpaste product specifically formulated for dogs (do not use human toothpaste!). There’s also a spray similar to mouthwash or brushless gel that naturally works its way around the mouth.
Below are a few recommendations that are veterinarian approved for small breeds like the Dachshund and mini Dachshund.
Most Dachshunds are enthusiastic chewers and will actually work on their dental hygiene all on their own- if you provide them with the right tools. Fortunately, there are plenty of good chew toys and treats for Dachshund-sized mouths that they’re sure to love! There are some great types of toys to consider for your dog’s dental health.
The Good News About Dachshund Breath
Being a Dachshund owner doesn’t have to stink! If the thought of all of that bad doggy breath is putting you off to the breed, there’s actually good news for you and your furry friend. Keeping a Dachshund’s breath under control is actually pretty easy with the proper care.
Suppose your pet just needs a breath freshener beneath cleanings. In that case, the problem is very easily solvable by leaving out appropriate toys to chew during the day and using an oral solution once daily.
If it turns out that your pet has stinky breath because of one of the other listed reasons, the smell should go away once your furry friend has received proper vet care. Don’t let bad breath come between you and your canine friend!
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