Pomeranian Bad Breath

Overview

Dogs may never have minty and fresh odors emanating from their mouths, but over-powering smells and odors are not normal.

Here we will cover the most common reasons for bad breath (halitosis), and some red flags of more serious issues.

Reasons for Bad Breath

There are several reasons why a Pomeranian may have bad breath, some issues can be resolved at home, and in other cases it warrants a visit to the vet.

#1 Lack of At-home Dental Care

Serious dental problems can cause bad breath and we will discuss that ahead. However, even a lack of regular cleaning can cause a terrible smell.

If plaque is not removed, this can quickly lead to decay.

If you suspect decay, your Pom should be examined by the vet first. Then you can start an at-home regimen to keep the teeth clean and bad breath at bay.

Other related causes include the buildup of old food. This is most often seen with dry kibble; if some remains in the mouth, it can turn into a paste-like substance that sticks on the teeth or inside the cheeks. And this can lead to a dog's breath smelling like old, stale dog food.

At-home, there are 3 main elements that you will want to do on a regular basis:

1. Brush your Pom's teeth.

This should be with quality canine toothpaste that not only freshens breath but is effective at removing plaque and food debris at least once per day.

You'll also want to carefully choose the brush; the most effective toothbrush will be sized for toy breed dogs, have the right texture of bristles to clean well and be 3-sided so that you can scrub all exposed sides of the teeth at the same time.

2. Give a daily dental chew.

You will want to offer one that is proven to be effective in removing and helping to prevent plaque and tartar. We recommend.

3. Consider a water supplement.

If a Pom's teeth are very prone to build-up, you may also want to opt for a water supplement that is designed to kill bacteria both in a dog's bowl and in his mouth.

In addition, your Pomeranian should have a professional examination every 1 to 2 years. This is referred to as a 'full dental'.

X-rays will be taken and the teeth will be cleaned and scraped (including under the gum line).

*** For recommendations, look to How to Keep a Pom's Breath Smelling Nice

#2 Serious Dental Issues

Possible reasons for a Pomeranian having bad breath include any sort of issues in the mouth or teeth. This includes periodontal disease, tooth decay, gingivitis, and/or oral ulceration.

While bad breath is one of the first signs of this type of issue, without proper treatment infection can spread, teeth can loosen and then fall out, and eventually there can even be dangerous and sometimes deadly sepsis.

If you suspect that your Pom may have a dental issue, or if he has not had an oral exam with the within the past 2 years, it will be time to make that appointment.

#3 Possible Health Issues

There are several serious health issues that have halitosis as a symptom. This includes:

Canine diabetes - Breath may have an odd sweet or sweet-sour smell. Other signs include change in appetite, increased water consumption, increased urination, lethargy, and/or chronic UTI's.

Liver disease - Breath may smell like urine. Other signs include loss of appetite, weight loss, increased thirst, increased urination, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or trouble walking.

Kidney disease - Breath may smell particularly foul. Other signs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite, weight loss, constipation, and/or depression.

Respiratory illness - Any condition that affects the lungs can in turn cause bad breath.

For this reasons, a complete vet exam should be done, checking for the mentioned diseases. A veterinarian should perform a test to check liver enzyme levels (for the liver) and creatinine levels (for the kidneys).

Tips to Keep a Pom's Breath Smelling Nice

1. Brush your Pom's teeth each day with a quality paste and appropriately sized brush.

2. Give your Pom a daily dental chew. Greenies is one of the best; they have received the Seal of Acceptance by the Veterinary Oral Health Council for removing and preventing plaque and tartar. These can be found in lots of sizes; you will want to choose the 'teenie' size, which is for dogs under 10 lbs.

3. Use a water supplement if your Pom tends to easily develop bad breath.

4. Encourage your Pomeranian to drink enough. This is to help wash down food after eating.

5. Keep kibble sealed up tight. If food becomes stale, it crumbles more and more. And that leads to more chalk residue. When that chalk is eaten, it cakes up inside the mouth and around teeth, which can lead to dog food breath.

6. Stay on track in regard to vet visits, and follow your vet's lead on how often a professional cleaning should be done.

Supplies Needed for a Pomeranian

It can be hard to know exactly what you need for a Pomeranian if you are not even sure of the options.

Or perhaps you know what sort of items you should have, but are uncertain of which ones are the best for your Pom's needs.

Here, you'll find a list of essentials that every owner should have for their Pom puppy or dog, for optimum health, comfort, safety, and happiness.

Leaving a Pomeranian Home Alone

More often than not, a Pomeranian is not going to be happy when he's left home by himself. And for some dogs, this can be an overwhelming experience.

If your Pom struggles with being alone when you're away, there are quite a few steps that you can take to help him cope better.

Everything from where you keep him, to how you leave the food, what sort of toys he has access to, and even what type of sounds he hears can all make a big difference.