Does your pet have bad breath? What can it say about their health beyond their teeth?

Have you ever wondered why your pet has strong breath even with regular brushing? It is common to think that bad breath only comes from the mouth, but the truth is that the problem can be much more than just the teeth.

When bad breath is more than just a lack of brushing

Yes, oral hygiene is important, but a constant bad smell can indicate more serious imbalances. Kidney, liver, digestive problems or even silent diabetes usually manifest their first symptoms in your pet's breath.

In practice, the odor does not come only from the mouth, but from compounds released throughout the body. The liver, for example, when overloaded, alters the metabolism and changes the smell of the breath. And this happens without the owner noticing other symptoms immediately.

What your breath might be trying to tell you

One of the biggest mistakes is to normalize bad smells. “Oh, it’s just dog breath” or “cats have strong breath.” No. This is a warning sign.

An eye-opening statistic

Studies of the American Veterinary Dental Society show that more than 80% of dogs and cats over 3 years old already have some degree of periodontal disease — and many owners have no idea about this. Strong breath is one of the first signs, but it is often ignored.

This negligence, combined with the lack of regular veterinary check-ups, ends up creating a domino effect on the animal's health. The breath warns. But it is not always heeded.

Luna, a 5-year-old cat, started to have sweet breath. Her owner thought it was strange, but took her to the vet.

When she finally did, the diagnosis was advanced feline diabetes. With dietary adjustments and treatment, Luna improved — but the discovery came because of the smell from her mouth, not because of other symptoms.

How to investigate and treat if your pet has strong breath

Think of your pet’s breath as a control panel. If something lights up red, you don’t ignore it—you check to see what’s wrong. Bad breath is that red light. It doesn’t just happen.

The first step is to view bad breath as a symptom, and not just as an aesthetic nuisance.

The safest thing to do is to take your pet to the vet as soon as you notice persistent changes in the smell from their mouth.

During the consultation, the professional will be able to carry out a complete clinical evaluation, observing everything from the condition of the gums to the presence of wounds, infections or advanced tartar. If internal causes are suspected, blood and urine tests will be requested to investigate kidney, liver, metabolic or hormonal dysfunctions.

Some cases require imaging tests, such as ultrasounds or X-rays, especially when bad breath is accompanied by vague or progressive symptoms. Therefore, the sooner this investigation is carried out, the greater the chances of effective treatment with less suffering for the animal.

In addition to clinical examinations, it is worth carefully observing your pet's behavior at home. Small signs may indicate that the altered breath is not an isolated case:

If he drink more water than usual, the body may be trying to eliminate excess glucose in the blood — a warning sign for diabetes.

If there is loss of appetite or refusal to eat drier foods, there may be pain when chewing or frequent nausea, common symptoms of kidney and liver problems.

However, if pet urinate more frequently or has urine with a stronger odor, this may also indicate changes in the kidneys.

It is already done more sleepy than usual, with episodes of apathy, the body may be dealing with internal inflammation or difficulties in processing toxins.

How to prevent your pet from having bad breath on a daily basis

Brush your pet's teeth with toothpaste made specifically for animals
Offer specific treats for dental cleaning
Have biannual check-ups with your veterinarian
Maintain a balanced diet
Avoid human food scraps
Offer toys that help with cleaning teeth

Prevention is always better than cure. And in the case of bad breath, acting quickly can prevent serious complications.

A question to ponder

If the smell of your pet's breath has changed, what else is going on inside their body without you noticing?

Conclusion: bad smell is always a sign

A pet with strong breath isn't just bothering their sense of smell. They may be silently suffering from something much more serious. The odor coming from their mouth is often the only sign of an internal problem.

Paying attention to this is more than just care — it’s love in the form of prevention. Your pet deserves more than affection: he deserves a watchful eye, capable of realizing that even his breath can save a life.

Common questions about strong breath in pets

Do all pets have bad breath?

No. Bad breath is a sign that something is wrong — either in your mouth or in another organ in your body.

What causes sweet breath in cats?

It could be a sign of feline diabetes. This sweet smell is caused by the presence of ketones in the breath.

Does brushing your teeth solve the problem?

It helps a lot, but it is not always enough. If there is internal disease or advanced gingivitis, only a veterinarian can treat it.

Do pets fed on natural food have less bad breath?

In many cases, yes. More natural diets reduce waste and prevent tartar buildup. But this does not eliminate the need for brushing.

What is the most worrying smell?

Breath that smells of ammonia (urine) or acetone is the most likely indicator of serious problems such as kidney failure or diabetes.

Health and Wellbeing

Victor Sousa

SEO writer and analyst focused on content about technology, finance, digital marketing and consumer behavior. Passionate about content strategies that combine creativity, data and performance. Certified in web content production by Rock Content, with practical experience in technical SEO, copywriting and conversion funnels.

June 17, 2025