Bad Breath in Dachshunds: Causes, Fixes & Prevention
You love your Dachshund, they are playful, affectionate, and always ready with doggy kisses. But his breath? Not so lovable. Bad breath in Dachshunds is common and often linked to dental issues like plaque and gum disease, which can lead to serious health problems if untreated.
While all dogs can have smelly breath, Dachshunds are especially prone due to their small mouths. A vet visit is a smart first step. Read on to find out what’s behind the stink and how to fix it.
Bad Breath in Dachshunds – Short Answer
Bad breath in Dachshunds is often caused by dental issues like plaque and gum disease. Regular brushing, dental care, chew toys, and vet visits help keep their breath fresh and mouths healthy.
Common Causes of Bad Breath in Dachshunds
1. Poor Oral Hygiene and Plaque Buildup
When oral hygiene isn’t a daily habit and brushing your Dachshund’s teeth is missed, excessive build-up of plaque encourages bacterial growth, causing gum inflammation and the development of periodontal disease.
Over time this progressive condition can damage the tooth roots and even the underlying bone structure if left untreated, making your pup’s breath worsen and their oral health suffer.
A professional clean by a veterinary dentist can remove hardened plaque before the damage continues, then maintaining consistent, at‑home brushing keeps your Dachshund comfortable, healthy, and far less prone to advanced infection or this common health issue. This early intervention literally changed life for mine.
2. Retained Baby Teeth and Overcrowding
When adult teeth push in before baby teeth fall out, it causes dental crowding in the compact jaws, creating tight spaces where food, bacterial, particles, and pus can get trapped.
This can lead to infection, inflammation, swelling, and even abscesses localized, encapsulated collections in the tissues around the jaws and surrounding bone a major risk factor for foul breath. From personal experience, getting retained teeth removed early made a noticeable difference.
It reduces the crowding, lowers the chance of serious infection, and helps prevent abscesses and deeper dental issues. Combining daily brushing with vet visits keeps their mouths healthy, their breath fresh, and helps avoid long-term complications.
3. Dental Abscess or Infection
When oral hygiene is neglected, buildup encourages bacterial growth, causing inflammation of the gum and deeper infections around the root and surrounding bone.
If untreated, abscesses may form in the tissues, enter the bloodstream, and trigger systemic infections like bacterial endocarditis, kidney infections, or liver abscesses serious conditions that threaten your dog’s overall health and can be life‑threatening.
That’s why early intervention and consistent care daily brushing of the teeth, vet-approved chews, and a schedule of routine, veterinary dental checkups are essential to reduce risk, manage oral concerns, and avoid systemic issues that may require a more detailed resource.
4. Poor Diet and Digestive Imbalances
Feeding poor quality kibble, treats, or food loaded with sugar, additives, salt, fillers, and chemicals can upset your Dachshund’s GI tract and digestion, leading to imbalances in the gut microbiome.
This often causes odor-causing gases in the stomach, making breath worse even if you use wet or dry food.
Switching to species-appropriate food, ensuring overall diet quality, and including safe chewing options like dental chews or raw meaty bones can mechanically reduce plaque buildup. I talked to a veterinarian about what worked best, and the improvement in Rufus’s breath was immediate.
5. Diabetes and Kidney Disease
If your Dachshund has diabetes, changes in blood sugar and metabolic imbalances can cause bad breath. A sweet or fruity odor often signals diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), from extra ketones due to low insulin and high blood sugar levels. This requires immediate veterinary attention.
As diabetes progresses, kidney damage may lead to uremic breath, a metallic or ammonia-like odor from toxin buildup the kidneys can’t filter. This kind of halitosis, if untreated, is life-threatening.
Ruling out digestive or deeper causes like metabolic changes or neurological issues is critical—these often show up alongside other signs like paw-lifting, which some owners may dismiss without understanding the underlying behaviors.
6. Coprophagia (Poop-Eating)
Eating poop makes your Dachshund’s breath smell truly awful. Dogs might do this because of medical conditions, a behavior problem, or if a mom Dachshund eats her puppies’ poop.
Whatever the reason, the result is foul breath that needs a good brushing and deeper attention.
It’s essential to figure out why your dog started eating poop so you can stop it. Sometimes it’s a sign of a medical condition needing veterinary attention, while a mom usually stops when her pups reach months of age. Other times, it may trace back to immune sensitivities or gut issues, which often overlap with conditions like seasonal skin irritations.
7. Chewing Hard or Unsafe Objects
If your Dachshund plays with toys that hurt or damage its teeth and gums, it can cause bad breath. Some chew toys are too hard, which can crack or chip teeth and eventually lead to gum infections or abscesses, resulting in stinky breath.
To prevent this, choose high‑quality toys made for small dog breeds, regularly check their condition, and replace them as needed. Using safer toys keeps your pup’s mouth healthy and breath fresh.
8. Overpanting and Dehydration
When a Dachshund pants a lot—during exercise or heat—it can lose water and electrolytes, causing dehydration, dry gums, sticky saliva, sunken eyes, and lethargy, all of which reduce mouth cleaning and worsen bad breath.
Since electrolyte balance and blood flow drop, even mild dehydration slows saliva flow, reducing the natural ability to wash bacteria and mucus.
In severe cases, it becomes a medical emergency needing fluid therapy to protect kidney function and internal organs. Offering frequent drinks of cool fresh water kept my pup’s breath fresher on hot days.
9. Underlying Health Issues (Gastrointestinal or Respiratory)
If your Dachshund’s breath smells bad, it might be due to hidden health problems. Conditions like acid reflux, GERD, or a foreign body in the esophagus can cause digestive odors to enter the mouth.
Other issues such as vomit, diarrhea, or an imbalance in the gut flora can also lead to persistent bad breath.
Respiratory infections like sinusitis, pneumonia, kennel cough, or even nasal tumors can cause nasal discharge and mucus buildup, leading to foul-smelling breath. These medical conditions require prompt veterinary attention, as they might indicate deeper systemic disease, particularly those known for spinal complications, which makes this preventative guide worth exploring.
How to Treat and Prevent Bad Breath in Dachshunds
1. Brush Teeth Daily (or at Least 3x a Week)
Brushing your Dachshund’s teeth daily is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing tartar buildup. Regular brushing helps remove plaque and food particles, reducing the risk of gum disease and bad breath.
Despite daily brushing, some Dachshunds may still develop tartar buildup. In such cases, professional cleaning by a vet is recommended. This thorough cleaning removes tartar from areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush.
2. Schedule Annual Professional Cleanings
A professional tooth cleaning is the most effective way to address your Dachshund’s bad breath. Performed under anesthesia, this procedure allows the veterinarian to thoroughly clean your dog’s teeth using specialized instruments.
This includes removing tartar and plaque that regular brushing may miss, leading to fresher breath and healthier teeth.
Regular professional cleanings, typically done yearly, can significantly improve your Dachshund’s oral health. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best dental care plan for your dog.
3. Use Water Additives and Dental Treats
Many dental products are available for dogs, including water additives. These products are designed to be added to your Dachshund’s water, making them easy to incorporate into daily routines.
They are typically odorless and tasteless, ensuring that your dog won’t notice any change in their drinking habits. It’s advisable to choose a high-quality product made with natural ingredients and minimal chemicals.
Opting for such products ensures your dog’s safety and promotes better oral health. Always consult with your veterinarian before introducing new dental products to your dog’s routine.
4. Adjust Diet & Add Probiotics
Even if your Dachshund’s teeth appear healthy, bad breath can stem from digestive issues. A high-quality diet promotes healthy digestion and a balanced microbiome, which can reduce odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
Opting for natural ingredients and avoiding fillers supports overall health and fresher breath. Adding probiotics to your Dachshund’s diet can enhance gut health and potentially improve breath.
Strains like Lactobacillus and Streptococcus salivarius have been shown to reduce volatile sulfur compounds, which are responsible for foul breath . Consult your vet to determine the appropriate probiotic supplement for your dog’s needs.
5. Monitor Chewing Habits
Keep an eye on your Dachshund’s chewing to avoid bones or toys that might cause dental trauma. Hard items like bones, antlers, and rigid nylon toys can damage teeth and lead to gum infections or fractures, resulting in bad breath.
Replace damaged or unsafe toys regularly check their condition and remove anything showing cracks or sharp bits. Opt for high-quality toys designed for small dog breeds, and perform routine inspections to prevent oral injuries and keep your pup’s breath fresh.
6. Observe & Smell for Changes
It may sound odd, but smelling your Dachshund’s breath periodically can catch issues early.
If you notice unusual odors like something sweet, metallic, or ammonia that’s a sign to schedule a vet checkup right away. Monitoring these changes helps you protect your dog’s health before things get worse.
When to See a Vet
If your Dachshund has persistent bad breath that doesn’t improve with brushing, dental treats, or water additives, it’s time to visit the vet. Other signs like oral pain, difficulty eating, appetite changes, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, drooling, swelling, discoloured gums, or pus/abscess in the mouth can signal deeper issues.
Breath odors that suggest systemic infections, such as those from kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, or respiratory infections (e.g. nasal discharge or tumors), require prompt veterinary care.
These problems can affect vital organs like the lungs, heart, and kidneys, so don’t delay after noticing any severe or unusual symptoms. Preventive care like professional cleaning under anesthesia and daily check-ups can help catch issues early.
Conclusion
Dachshunds are especially prone to bad breath because their unique, compact dental structure and tight jaws make them susceptible to plaque buildup and gum disease more so than many other breeds.
But the good news? With proper care, you can keep your pup’s breath (and overall health) fresh and clean. Daily brushing, safe chewing habits, a balanced diet, and annual dental checkups are essential.
Early detection and consistent routines really make a difference so stay on top of it and enjoy those close-up Dachshund kisses without worry!
FAQ’s
1. Why does my Dachshund’s breath smell so bad?
Bad breath in your dog is often caused by oral health issues, kidney disease, or liver disease, with several possible causes needing attention for your pet’s overall health.
2. What does a dog’s breath smell like with liver failure?
Bad breath in dogs can be a sign of liver disease or liver failure, where the liver can’t filter toxins, causing a smell like a dead animal.
3. Is it common for Dachshunds to have bad teeth?
Dachshunds often have bad teeth due to rotting and genetics, leading to tooth loss as they age.
4. How do I cure my dog’s smelly breath?
Regular dental exams, brushing with vet-approved toothpaste, and using rinses or water additives help prevent plaque and tartar buildup in dogs.
