If your Pomeranian has bad breath that smells like fish, it can be caused by a variety of different issues. Bad breath in a Pom can be due to the type of dog food they consume if it is fish based or the fish smell could be a sign of serious health problems. It’s always best to schedule a visit with your veterinarian to be on the safe side.
So, why does your Pomeranian’s breath smell like fish? Sometimes giving your Pom’s teeth a good cleaning, every day at a scheduled time, may help the smell go away. They could also have gum disease, gingivitus, or a worse health issue.
Often times, a Pomeranian’s breath is a good indication of a more serious issue that must be treated first with medication, antibiotics, and a daily care regimen.
Small dogs such as Pomeranians are more prone to dental problems because their mouths are so small and their teeth are crowded together so much. This causes food to get stuck easily, which leads to gingivitis, other dental diseases, and even loss of teeth.
Routine cleanings will help minimize this problem and your vet will be able to best determine how to deal with your Pomeranian’s fishy breath. However, you can still be aware of some of the causes by reading through the information in this article.
Why Does Your Pomeranian’s Breath Smell like Fish?
A Pomeranian’s anal gland secretions can leave behind a fish smell, and when they clean themselves, the smell is transferred. Practicing daily brushing of teeth and a good dental care regimen will help reduce the smell.
Why your Pomeranian’s breath smells like fish:
- Consuming fish-based dog food.
- Lack of brushing of teeth and gum care.
- Gum disease or gingivitis.
- Anal gland excretion.
- More serious health issue.
Many of the commercial dog food brands are made with salmon, white fish, or other fish-based ingredients as an additive for Omega sources. These sources are good for your Pom’s health, but can leave their breath smelling fishy.
Veterinarians often prescribe these fish-based diets to treat skin allergies. But establishing a good tooth brushing regimen will help eliminate some of the smell by removing any leftover food and tartar. If the brushing doesn’t do the job, changing your dog’s diet will help.
One of the most common causes of the fish smell on your Pomeranian’s breath is gum disease and gingivitis. The bacteria build-up causes inflammation and the tartar build-up causes a bad odor. This comes from a lack of brushing of teeth and dental maintenance.
There are two anal glands are located around the rectum of your Pomeranian and they express naturally when your Pom defecates, but sometimes this happens when they get excited, or nervous, and sometimes they don’t empty as they should when they haven’t been regularly expressed.
Small dogs like Pomeranians express a toothpaste-like consistency fluid with a fishy smell and then when they lick their behinds to clean themselves their breath smells like fish.
A stronger odor coming from your Pomeranian’s mouth may be a sign of a more serious health problem such as an infection or even a problem in the kidneys, liver, or gastrointestinal tract. In this case, your vet should be contacted to further diagnose your Pom.
How to Prevent Bad Breath in Pomeranians
Bad breath can be prevented if your Pomeranian’s teeth are being brushed daily along with a dental care routine. Being proactive in your Pomeranian’s hygiene will help prevent health issues in the future.
How to prevent bad breath in Pomeranians:
- Brush their teeth correctly.
- Maintain a healthy dental care plan.
- Give them dental treats and chew toys.
- Keep them out of the garbage.
- Add plain yogurt to the food.
- Sprinkle water additives in the food or water.
- Ask your vet about dental sealants.
- Clean up dog poop immediately.
The treatment and prevention of the Pomeranian’s bad breath will depend on the cause. Schedule yearly visits with the vet and ensure that they check and track your Pom’s breath regularly.
Also giving your Pom a chew toy or special dental treats daily can help with decreasing the chances of tooth decay. Some chew toys allow you to hide a dental treat inside or toothpaste to help keep their breath fresh and their teeth cleaned.
Rawhide is also good for the dog to chew on and remove some of the food particles that get left behind. Be sure to take the rawhide bone when it softens to prevent choking.
Keeping your Pom from eating out of the garbage may be a task, but it will prevent unpleasant odors and bacteria from forming in the mouth, which can lead to an infection.
Adding a teaspoon of plain yogurt without sugar substitutes, or fruit flavors, to your Pom’s food is also a remedy in preventing bad breath. Make sure the Pomeranian is not lactose intolerant before adding dairy products to their diet.
There are now water additives that can be added to your Pomeranian’s food or water to fight bad breath. This helps with tooth decay, but it does not replace daily scheduled tooth brushing. These additives kill bacteria and prevent plaque buildup and periodontal disease while freshening the breath.
Some dogs are more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities than others, which leads to bad breath and even loss of teeth. In this case, ask your vet about dental sealants. Sealants help to keep the teeth and gums clean and prevent further tooth decaying and plaque buildup.
Some Poms might eat the poop of other dogs and sometimes they eat their own poop. So, it’s vital to clean up after your dog right after they use the bathroom and discard it properly. This condition is called coprophagia and also causes bad breath.
The Best Supplies for Pomeranians with Bad Breath
Smaller breed dogs, like Pomeranians, require a little more dental care because their teeth are closer together, which causes more plaque and tartar build-up. Providing them with a range of chew toys at a young age is beneficial as well as a dental hygiene kit.
The ideal toothbrush for a Pomeranian should be the right length, texture, and shape. It should be long enough to reach all of the teeth, including the molars in the back and the gums, sleek enough to clean in the tiny crevices and along the gum line, and mild bristles that clean the plaque away without causing any discomfort to the Pom.
Supplies for Pomeranians with bad breath:
- The proper toothbrush or washcloth.
- Quality dog toothpaste.
- Variety of chew toys.
- Specialized dental treats.
- Dental gels, sprays, or wipes.
- High quality, easily digestible food.
- Air tight sealed dog food container.
- Supply of fresh, clean water.
A washcloth is sometimes necessary if the dog hasn’t gotten used to the process of getting their teeth brushed. Pomeranians need an abrasive cleaner that is strong enough to scrub away the left-over food, plaque, and stains, but mild enough that it doesn’t damage the tooth enamel.
Toothpaste for Pomeranians comes in different flavors and can be purchased at your local pet store. If your Pom is an all-natural dog, mix baking soda with water to make a paste to get the same effects. A single brushing session should last approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
Providing the Pom with a variety of chew toys is a natural and beneficial way to get off small amounts of tartar and plaque at a time. This does not take the place of routine tooth brushing or visits to the vet for routine cleanings. Plaque and tartar eat away at the gum line and tooth’s enamel, eventually causing the tooth to rot.
There are several different brands of dog dental treats that promote healthy teeth and gums while freshening the Pom’s breath. These treats are specially formulated to wipe away plaque and food debris as the dog chews, prevent plaque and tartar buildup, and keeps their breath fresh.
Sometimes, the dog’s mouth is just too small for a toothbrush or it isn’t the best option. In this case, there are several types of dental gels, sprays, and wipes that can be used to clean the Pom’s teeth and freshen their breath.
It’s important to supply your Pomeranian with high-quality food that can be easily digested. Some of the canned dog food, commercially-prepared treats, and lower quality dog foods can cause unnecessary tooth decay.
It’s best to serve your Pomeranian home cooked food and fresh meat from the butcher along with a premium dry dog food.
An air tight container is important for keeping the Pomeranian’s dry dog food fresh and cool. When dog food gets stale it crumbles more and more, and that creates a chalky residue. When your dog eats this dog food, the chalk residue cakes up inside their mouth and teeth and can lead to bad breath.
Keeping available a bowl of fresh, clean water is critical to the overall health of your Pomeranian, and essentially allows them to wash away any leftover food that may be in their mouth and on their teeth from meal time.
There are several reasons why a Pomeranian’s breath may smell. For these reasons, a complete vet exam should be conducted yearly to check for health issues and periodontal disease. Brushing your Pom’s teeth at home daily is the best way to ensure healthy teeth and fresh breath.
