QuestionI have a 5 year old male sheltie who has dog breath that smells like dog feces. He doesn't eat feces, doesn't lick his behind. He has had this problem since he was a puppy, which was a rescue dog. We brush his teeth, sometimes twice a day. We have given him GREENIES,for his breath. We have changed his dog food, which is "Natural Blend" Adult. We have given him mouth spray and even tried the powder on his food. Nothing seems to work. Our vet. says he is healthy. Something is wrong. I have had dogs for 55 years and never had a dog with breath like this. Any ideas/help deeply appreciated. I love my sheltie.
AnswerHi Terry!
I would love to play God and say exactly what causes it. I have two Shelties. One has dog breath, the other has GARBAGE breath... smells just exactly like a damp trash can on a humid morning in the sticky summer time.
Brushing doesn't help him either... diet? Maybe for some dogs, but we haven't found any differences. We give our dogs the rawhide bones/chips, and when Tucker (aka Garbage breath) chews on those it usually calms the smell for a while (range from a few days to a few weeks). Or the smell is more detectable when he goes a while without chewing on one.
Pure speculation would lead me to think that something in the chewing action or the rawhide takes away from the smell, perhaps the extra saliva gets that stubborn bacteria. I'm really as in the dark as you are, but you are welcome to try the natural rawhides.
Try to take the good with the bad. There are many I talk to with barking or other health and behaviour problems that would gladly trade places with either of us! Maybe if bad breath is the only problem it is worth it (except when they pant while you are eating... ugh!).
I'm really better at behavior, but I hope this helps, let me know!
'sneezes
Dave
