Bad Breath

[rob190364 2,594]

I've been feeding my pup on BARF from day 1. Previously it's been purely either rabbit carcasses, raw chicken & bones, beef mince, turkey, fish and a bit of liver, kidney and veg and she's been doing well on it.

 

A couple of weeks ago I discovered a pet shop that sells dog mince for 40p/lb, it's a mixture of either raw chicken and tripe, or raw beef and tripe. So in the last two weeks she's been on a pound of this in the morning and a quarter of a raw chicken in the evening. With fish, veg and liver also fed regularly.

 

In the past week her breath has gone proper rank, seriously stinks! Is that the tripe in the mince or is there another reason for the bad breath? Her teeth are immaculate and her gums are nice and pink with no swelling.

[gnipper 6,543]

Do you give her any thicker bones like lamb necks/ribs?

[rob190364 2,594]

Do you give her any thicker bones like lamb necks/ribs?

No, the only bones she has are either rabbit carcasses, chicken legs or wings, or chicken quarters.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Maybe try feeding a rack of lamb ribs?

 

My dog gets a few a week and he really has to rip and tear at these giving the mouth a real clean I imagine.

 

He doesn't do this with Chicken, it's just a few crunches and swallowed.

 

Just an idea.

 

Gaz

[rob190364 2,594]

Maybe try feeding a rack of lamb ribs?

 

My dog gets a few a week and he really has to rip and tear at these giving the mouth a real clean I imagine.

 

He doesn't do this with Chicken, it's just a few crunches and swallowed.

 

Just an idea.

 

Gaz

yeah I don't think it's anything to do with the teeth though cos she has bones every day and her teeth are proper white, I've checked and there aren't any rotten ones or plaque or anything.

[mattydski 560]

I am not saying it is....but sometimes a dogs breath smells when their kidneys pack in.. Its a distinctive smell, from memory like ammonia?

 

If is this type of smell, take it to the vets... otherxise it may be the bacteria adjusting to the new diet... Are the bowel movements the same?

[skycat 6,174]

Some suppliers sell frozen tripe etc which may not have been as fresh as it should be: in other words, it might have been getting a bit rank before it was frozen, something you won't know about when you buy it already frozen. Try these guys: very fresh quality stuff and I've been using them for a few years now and never received anything less than perfect.

http://www.bulmerdogfood.co.uk/

 

the other thing to check for, if the teeth and gums are OK, is worms. A bad worm burden seems to give some dogs bad breath: worm with a good wormer such as Drontal Plus or Milbemax. Actually, Cestem is cheaper than Drontal: its the same thing but under a different name. Also maybe get the dog's anal glands checked out: unlikely they are blocked if the dog is doing solid crap, but worth checking.

 

Lastly, although raw is best, some dogs don't cope with certain foods, raw or cooked. But my money's on the tripe mix being a bit whiffy!

[rob190364 2,594]

I am not saying it is....but sometimes a dogs breath smells when their kidneys pack in.. Its a distinctive smell, from memory like ammonia?

 

If is this type of smell, take it to the vets... otherxise it may be the bacteria adjusting to the new diet... Are the bowel movements the same?

Hi mate, I had a dog die of kidney failure last year so I know exactly what that smells like (very distinctive and awful smell). It's definitely not that.

 

Bowel movements are fine and stools are still firm and dry.

[rob190364 2,594]

Some suppliers sell frozen tripe etc which may not have been as fresh as it should be: in other words, it might have been getting a bit rank before it was frozen, something you won't know about when you buy it already frozen. Try these guys: very fresh quality stuff and I've been using them for a few years now and never received anything less than perfect.

http://www.bulmerdogfood.co.uk/

 

the other thing to check for, if the teeth and gums are OK, is worms. A bad worm burden seems to give some dogs bad breath: worm with a good wormer such as Drontal Plus or Milbemax. Actually, Cestem is cheaper than Drontal: its the same thing but under a different name. Also maybe get the dog's anal glands checked out: unlikely they are blocked if the dog is doing solid crap, but worth checking.

 

Lastly, although raw is best, some dogs don't cope with certain foods, raw or cooked. But my money's on the tripe mix being a bit whiffy!

Hmm, hadn't thought of it being worms. I'll try worming her and if that doesn't work switch to another food supplier, thanks for that

[martin 332]

When feeding Barf you should be worming extra regular,the other thing is bad breath can be associated with all sorts of other major problems,so,if it carries on then a trip to the vet wouldn't go amiss.