Does your Frenchie have bad breath?
The French Bulldog is one of the most popular dogs to share a home with due to their unique personality and loving nature. However, they are not immune to certain ailments that affect other dog breeds, bad breath being one of those.
In fact, Frenchies are even more susceptible to bad breath than some other breeds due to their tendency to vacuum up crumbs, dirt, and other bits and pieces, all getting stuck in their loveable jowls!
The good news is most cases of bad breath are easy to fix. Just be aware that bad breath could be a sign of other, more serious, health issues, so if symptoms persist be sure to visit the vet.
Let’s take a closer look at the causes of bad breath in French Bulldogs and some potential solutions.
Causes of Bad Breath in Frenchies
While you shouldn’t jump to conclusions without all the information, bad breath could be a sign of various medical conditions for your French Bulldog.
Dental Hygiene
Gum disease is one potential cause of your dog’s bad breath. Maintaining your Frenchie’s dental hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent and treat gum disease. Of course, if your dog exhibits inflammation, soreness or deformity in its gums, as well as bad breath, you should always consult your family vet.
Other Health Concerns
Halitosis can be a symptom of other diseases too, such as diseases of your dog’s liver or intestines. These illnesses can become quite serious if they aren’t caught in their early stages. So, again, it’s best to consult a vet if you notice anything a bit off.
When a French Bulldog’s breath smells of urine or ammonia, it could be a symptom of kidney disease. If your pup’s breath smells like this, has been urinating more than usual and drinking a lot of water, there is a chance they have kidney disease.
On the other hand, if your French Bulldog’s breath smells fruity or sweet, it could be a sign of doggie diabetes, which can be managed with prescription medicine.
If your dog shows any other signs of illness, like vomiting, poor appetite or drastic attitude changes, alongside bad breath, consult your vet as soon as possible.
How to Fix Bad Breath in French Bulldogs
After checking with your vet, if your Frenchie has a clean bill of health as well as bad breath, it probably isn’t of major concern. However, bad breath can really hinder your relationship with your pup. After all, who doesn’t love a good smooch every now and then! It isn’t pleasant when your Frenchie tries to kiss your face with bad breath or cuddle closely to your face at night. While you may be tempted to simply push them away, there are ways of alleviating your French Bulldog’s bad breath.
Dental hygiene is the first, logical step. There is a wide variety of puppy toothbrushes in most pet stores and online. Certain medicated chews will help to clean your dog’s teeth, gums, tongue, and get rid of their bad breath.
If dental hygiene doesn’t get rid of it, the bad breath could be coming from your French Bulldog’s diet. Try switching his or her dog food, and see if that helps your pup’s little problem. Also, make sure they are drinking enough water, especially when they wake up with that horrid morning-breath!
Stay vigilante that your pup doesn’t get hold of something they aren’t supposed to from the garden or out on a walk. Chewing on or eating foreign objects from outside or elsewhere could cause your French Bulldog to come home with bad breath.
Wrapping up
While French Bulldogs are excellent companions, every dog owner will encounter inconveniences with their relationship. Bad breath can drive a wedge between you and your furry friend.
This might seem, at first, a relatively small annoyance, however, it could be a symptom of a bigger health concern. If something is “off” about your French Bulldog, take them to a reputable vet to make sure everything is ok. You won’t regret it. If their health checks out, then your pup could simply need to practice better dental hygiene and eating habits.
There you have it. Bad breath doesn’t mean the end of sloppy kisses and cuddling. By following the tips in this post, you can get back to giving your Frenchie the love they deserve.
Will is the proud co-owner of Frankie, a Female Brindle French Bulldog, with his wife Michelle. We share our Frenchie experiences with the world to help health-conscious French Bulldog owners who want a happy, healthy, and long-living dog.