If your dog’s breath suddenly smells like fish, start with the simple explanations: something fishy they’ve eaten, scavenging, licking their rear end or anal-gland fluid getting into their mouth. Dental problems can also cause distinctly unpleasant breath, particularly if the smell is persistent rather than something that appears and disappears.
With puppies, teething can change how their mouth smells too, but I wouldn’t automatically write strong or persistent bad breath off as “puppy breath.” A new smell is information. Look at what your dog has eaten, what they’ve been licking, their teeth and gums, and whether anything else about them has changed.
Most causes are fairly mundane. But if the smell persists, your dog seems unwell, their mouth looks painful, or you’re seeing scooting, swelling, discharge, appetite changes or trouble toileting, that’s where I’d involve your vet rather than trying to cover the smell up.
6 Reasons Your Dog’s Breath Might Smell Like Fish
| Possible cause | Clues to look for |
|---|---|
| Fish-based food or treats | Smell follows meals or chews and fades |
| Rear-end licking / anal glands | Licking, scooting or a fishy smell around the rear |
| Scavenging or eating feces | Sudden smell after being outdoors or unsupervised |
| Dental or oral problem | Persistent odor, red gums, tartar, pain or difficulty eating |
| Teething | Young puppy, sore gums, loose teeth and increased chewing |
| Underlying illness | Persistent unusual breath plus other changes in health or behavior |
The pattern matters. Breath that smells fishy for an hour after a fish skin is very different from a strong odor that’s there every time your dog opens their mouth.
1. They’ve been licking their rear end: A fishy odor can transfer to your dog’s mouth after licking around their anus. If this happens repeatedly, look for the reason they’re licking rather than treating the breath itself. Scooting, obvious discomfort, difficulty passing stool or persistent licking are all worth discussing with your vet.
2. Anal Glands: The next most likely reason why your puppy’s breath may smell like fish could be related to their anal glands, or anal gland issues. Dogs have two small glands located on the right and left sides of their rectum that produce a distinctive, usually fishy, odor. This odor is a part of their natural scent-marking process. Normally, these glands are emptied when your dog defecates. However, if they are not expressed as regularly as they should be, the smelly fluid can make its way into your puppy’s mouth during the cleaning process, particularly if your dog has anal glad problems. This can occur when your puppy cleans itself, leading to the fishy smell in their breath. If you notice this alongside your puppy frequently scooting its rear across the floor, it may be best to consult a vet for appropriate treatment. Also good to note that dog owners of small dog breeds are more likely to experience anal gland problems than larger pet parents.
3. Dental issues: Much like humans, dogs, too, can suffer from a host of dental problems. Poor dental hygiene and dental diseases could be another reason for your puppy’s fishy breath. It’s possible for food particles to get stuck between your puppy’s teeth and, over time, these trapped pieces decay and emit an unpleasant odor. Gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, as well as tooth decay, can also lead to a smelly mouth. Regular cleaning of your puppy’s teeth using dog-friendly toothpaste and toothbrush can help counter such issues.
4. Dietary Causes: What your puppy eats plays a significant role in the way its breath smells. If your puppy’s diet consists of fish-based meals or treats, it’s natural for their breath to have a similar fishy odor. Similarly, feeding your puppy aromatic foods such as garlic or certain spices can change the scent of their breath.
5. Kidney or Liver Problems: While this cause is rarer, it’s worth mentioning. Certain health issues like kidney or liver disease can cause a puppy’s breath to smell bad. The odor in such cases may resemble fish or even ammonia. It’s crucial to consult with a vet if you suspect these conditions, as they often require early and expedient treatment.
Naturally, your puppy’s well-being should be your top priority. While the smell of their breath, in most cases, is not an alarm for significant health concerns, you should always consult with a professional vet if the issue persists or if you notice other worrisome symptoms.
6. Coprophagia or scavenging: if your puppy is eating poop (their own poop or other poop) it could also explain your pu[‘s bad smelling breath, and also if they’re scavenging dead animals could explain that too!
What Should You Do About Fishy Dog Breath?
Fishy breath is one of those things we just don’t want to deal with, but it is a really common problem from puppies to adult dogs. So here’s how we should be dealing with it, and of course, it does depend on the reason, but here are your main solutions to get rid of that foul smell.
1. Regular toilet breaks: Regular toilet breaks can help ensure your puppy has more opportunities to empty their anal glands naturally. Remember, problems with anal glands can be a primary reason behind the fishy odor. Having more frequent toilet breaks can help keep their anal glands healthy. If you’re curious find out how long pup can hold their poop!
2. Maintain good oral hygiene: A key to managing and preventing fishy breath in your puppy—or any bad breath, for that matter—is maintaining good oral hygiene. This involves regularly cleaning your puppy’s teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs. Doing this at least once a week can significantly help in preventing the buildup of plaque and bacteria that typically are behind the foul odor.
3. Adjust your puppy’s diet: The dog food your puppy consumes can directly influence your dog’s bad breath. i.e. if they’re on a fish based food, or you’ve treated with fish skins or sprats, it could be possible they they’re the reason your puppy’s breath smells of fish! It’s also good to note that your dogs diet can also help to naturally empty your dog’s anal glands
Don’t just try to mask persistent bad breath. A carrot or another dog-safe crunchy snack is fine as enrichment, but strong recurring odor deserves an explanation. Changing to a raw diet is not a treatment for dental disease, anal-gland problems or an underlying illness.
4. Utilize dental chews toys and treats: There are numerous dental toys and chew treats available in pet stores designed to combat bad breath. They can provide a fun way for your puppy to naturally reduce tartar and plaque buildup, which are significant contributors to bad breath and prevent periodontal disease.
5. Consistent vet visits: Make it a habit to schedule regular vet check-ups, checking for dental disease and even the occasional dental cleaning to ensure your dog’s teeth are heathly. This is the best way to monitor your puppy’s overall health, dental conditions, and promptly address any hidden health issue potentially causing the persistent fishy smell.
6. Consult a veterinarian: If your puppy’s fishy breath continues to persist despite your efforts, it would be worth consulting a vet and discuss things like anal sac disease. For non-emergency questions, Dutch offers online veterinary care. The issue could be an indication of serious concerns related to dental health or anal glands, and early professional advice and treatment can be crucial.
The reasoning is simple: a happy puppy makes a happy owner. By taking these steps, you can ensure you enjoy every moment with your puppy – without the fishy breath!
When Should Fishy Breath Go to the Vet?
- The smell is strong and persistent rather than occasional.
- Your dog has red, swollen or bleeding gums, a broken tooth, obvious tartar or seems painful when eating.
- They’re repeatedly scooting or licking around their rear end.
- There’s swelling, discharge or a strong fishy odor around the anus.
- Your dog is vomiting, lethargic, drinking or urinating differently, losing weight or otherwise seems unwell.
- Your puppy is refusing food or you’re concerned about their teeth erupting normally.
You don’t need to panic over one fishy burp after a questionable snack. But persistent bad breath isn’t something I’d try to solve with breath fresheners without working out the cause first.
Other Unusual Dog Breath Smells
Your dog’s smell is actually a really great way to read some of their health, so being aware of how they naturally smell is a good thing. If it’s not a fish-like smell you’re catching, you could be smelling yeast infections, bacterial infection, or even an oncoming season. Suffice to say that a new smell is usually a good indicator to underlying issues.
Bring Back Sweet Puppy Breath!
In conclusion, it’s quite common for pet owners to notice a fishy smell from their puppy’s breath. While this can be concerning, it’s often not a cause for alarm. Regular dental care, diet adjustments, and vet visits can help prevent and treat most cases of bad breath. However, it is always recommended to consult a vet if your pup’s fishy breath persists, as it could be a symptom of a more serious health issue and you’re in need of a vet visit.
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Author, Ali Smith
Ali Smith is a professional, qualified, and multi-award winning trainer is the founder of rebarkable. She has always believed animals deserve kindness and champions force free methods. Believing that dog guardians will all choose the kindest options if proper information is provided, she aims to help all dog guardians who need it and make dog training as accessible as possible
Ali lives win Maryland, US with her husband and her three dogs.
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