Dog bad breath – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

This is not usually an emergency on its own – contact your vet if it lasts, gets worse or your dog seems unwell in any other way. Bad breath in dogs is most commonly caused by dental disease, but it can also be caused by other conditions.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet.
  2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
  3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
  4. Keep fresh water available.

Don't

  • Do not give any human medicine.
  • Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

Dental disease is the most common cause of bad breath in dogs.[1] Bad breath can be linked to kidney disease when the kidneys are not working properly.[1] Diabetes can cause chemicals called ketones to build up in the body and may cause bad breath.[1] Something stuck in the mouth can cause bad breath.[1]

Other signs that can come with it

  • Tooth or gum disease
  • Excessive drooling
  • Weight loss
  • Eating less or nothing at all
  • Difficulty eating or dropping food
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Lethargy (low energy)

Possible causes

  • Dental disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Something stuck in the mouth
  • Airway infections
  • Diabetes
  • Diet
  • Gut problems
  • Liver disease
  • Oral lumps
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

Get it on Google Play

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What is the most common cause of bad breath in dogs?

Dental disease is the most common cause of bad breath in dogs.[1]

Can kidney disease cause bad breath?

Yes. Kidney disease can cause bad breath when the kidneys are not working properly.[1]

Should my dog’s bad breath be checked by a vet?

Yes. Bad breath is not normal and should always be checked by a vet, including in older dogs.[1]

Sources

  1. PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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Other symptoms in dogs

BlindnessBlood in stoolBottom ProblemsConjunctivitisConstipationCoughingDandruffDiarrhoeaDroolingEar problemsEye problemsEyelid Lumps