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Why Does Puppy Breath Smell Good? Here’s the Explanation

Have you ever asked yourself this question: why does puppy breath smell good? Like human babies, puppies’ breath tends to have a good smell.

It’s due to their basic diet, which consists mainly of the mother dog’s milk. As the enzymes in their tummy break down milk, it gives off an appealing and even delicious smell.

why does puppy breath smell good

As the pup grows older and transitions to kibble, its breath will soon develop a different scent.

Why puppies have good-smelling breath?

why do puppies smell good

Puppies are cute and simply irresistible to cuddle. Another thing that makes them obsessive is their breath. It smells good, like how a newborn’s breath smells like.

We have to thank the pup’s diet for this scent. A newborn puppy only has milk on their diet, so their teeth are still clean.

Many believe that this is the reason why pups have a sweet breath smell. Veterinarians also say that it’s because of the bacteria on the puppy’s mouth.

Pet owners will agree that the smell of a puppy’s breath is one of the best scents. It’s like sniffing a baby’s first breaths.

Being so young gives puppies the edge when it comes to their breath. Their esophagus is still developing and doesn’t have the same bacterial environment as an adult one.

Also, puppies don’t have plaque, tartar, and basically any oral infections. However, it still boils down to your pup’s overall dental hygiene.

How long does puppy breath last?

How long does puppy breath last

You should enjoy your pup’s good-smelling breath while it lasts. The moment your pup grows its adult teeth, the pleasant breath will start to go away.

Just in time with their second teething, pups will have to transition to dog food. And since milk is no longer their only diet, bacteria will be introduced to their mouth and digestive tract.

The ingredients on the dog food, as well as your dog’s chewing habits, will build up a different scent on its mouth.

Basically, as long as your puppy is on a milk-only diet, it will have a heavenly breath. However, it’s only meant to last for a couple of months. please read here why is my dog drooling around the new puppy

Why does puppy breath smell like poop?

Puppies’ breath smells good, so if it starts to have a bad odor, you should be alarmed. Your pup might be suffering from a dental problem that’s causing the awful smell. You should bring it to the vet immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment. please read here why do dog smell bad after being outside

It’s possible that you didn’t brush your dog’s mouth, causing milk leftovers to spoil and emit a bad smell. A poop smell can also indicate a problem in the GI tract. An overabundance of bacteria can also make the heavenly puppy breath develop a foul scent. please read here Why Does My Dog Smell Like Maple Syrup

Take note that teething can also lead to bad breath among puppies. This happens since some teeth may get impacted, which will cause an infection. A mouth injury will also cause a bad smell when it gets infected. As much as possible, you should keep away any sharp objects that may injure your pet.

Lastly, it’s possible that your pup ate its own poop or of another dog. This is a common occurrence, and it will cause a stinky smell on your pup’s breath. Scavenging on the garbage and decaying leaves can also leave a poop smell on your puppy’s breath. Read more here why do yorkies have bad breath

Why does a puppy’s breath smell like fish?

A fishy smell on your puppy’s breath isn’t normal. It could indicate serious dental problems like gingivitis or infections. But if your dog’s mouth isn’t infected, your dog’s fishy smell could be a symptom of kidney problems. please read here why dose my dog smell fishy.

When a puppy’s kidney fails to eliminate and filter out toxins in the body, it will accumulate and cause a fishy smell. This can happen even if your puppy is still on a milk diet. It could be a congenital defect, which requires immediate and intensive vet care.

However, you should also factor in the possibility that your dog snacked on something fishy. The puppy might have gotten into your table scraps and some fish leftovers in the trash.

Also, if your puppy is currently on fish oil supplements, expect that its breath will have a fishy scent. This is more evident when the pup burps. However, the fishy smell shouldn’t be too strong or repulsive.

Why does puppy breath smell like coffee?

Puppies can have varying breath scents, but it’s quite rare for them to smell like coffee. If yours have a coffee-like breath, it’s worth checking your coffeemaker. Your pup might have gotten its curious mouth on your coffee supply and chugged some.

Take note that caffeine is bad for pets. If you confirmed that your puppy indeed ingested coffee, you must observe it in the next hours.

Sometimes, the combination of the puppy’s mouth bacteria may cause a coffee-like smell. It could be a normal puppy breath, but if you’re in doubt, you can always consult the veterinarian.

Is puppy breath caused by worms?

If your puppy has a good-smelling breath, you have nothing to worry about. However, if the scent starts to develop a foul odor, your pup may have gum disease worms. This happens due to intense infections and must be treated right away.

Usually, intestinal worms won’t cause bad breath among puppies. Still, it’s a serious condition that must be addressed to prevent adverse effects. Take note that puppies are highly at risk of experiencing life-threatening effects of worm infestation due to their smaller bodies. Deworming and updating the pup’s shots are the key to prevent this.

How can I freshen my puppy’s breath?

If your puppy’s heavenly breath is starting to wear to off, there are ways to keep it fresh. The following are some of the safe and effective options:

How can I freshen my puppy’s breath

  • A small amount of parsley. One of the easiest ways to freshen up a puppy’s breath is to give it a pinch of chopped parsley. You can mix it on their kibble or wet food. Aside from fighting off bad breath, parsley is also rich in antioxidants that will reduce swelling and pain.
  • Apples and carrots. Aside from parsley, you can also give your dog some slices of apples and carrots. Just make sure that you remove the seeds of the apples since those are toxic to canines. You can also freeze the slices as a refreshing summer treat.
  • Coconut oil. Coconut oil is very effective in boosting your puppy’s breath while improving its coat. However, you should only give a small amount at first to prevent stomach upset. Simply mix it to your dog’s food or use it as a dip while brushing your dog’s teeth.
  • Regular brushing. Like humans, dogs need regular brushing to fight bad breath. You should start your puppy early so it will be easier to brush them when they get older. Twice a week is the rule of thumb, but it would be better if you can do it daily.

Conclusion

Why does puppy breath smell good? It’s due to the pup’s clean diet that only consists of milk. And since their esophagus is still developing, it leaks gas from their stomachs. This gas has a sweet scent that many dog owners really like. However, you should enjoy it while it lasts since the good smell of your puppy’s breath will soon wear off.

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