As you snuggle with and nuzzle your new Pawrade puppy, you can’t help but notice an intoxicating, pleasing scent wafting through the air. It’s been a while since you held a puppy, and you can’t quite put your finger on it, but the smell is a comforting, almost sweet smell. You sniff your puppy’s head, but she smells like the puppy shampoo you used after the first bath you gave her, so you know it’s not that. But what could it be?
“That’s it! It’s puppy breath! I wonder why puppy breath smells so good?”
If you’ve always wondered why an adult dog’s breath smells like it ate the entire football team’s dirty gym bag contents but why you don’t mind if your puppy breathes in your face, you’re not alone.
Let’s explore what exactly puppy breath is, why it smells so good, how long puppy breath lasts, how to keep your puppy’s breath fresh, and what could be causing foul puppy breath.
What Exactly Is Puppy Breath?
Puppy breath is associated with the innocence and playfulness of young dogs. It's a reminder of their early stages of life and the joy they bring to our lives. Many people find the smell of puppy breath comforting and endearing, evoking feelings of warmth and happiness.
Puppy breath refers to the distinctive scent of their breath, typically during the first few months of your puppy’s life. It is a phenomenon that is adored by many dog owners and enthusiasts – including us at Pawrade!
Puppy breath is often described as sweet, slightly musky, and sometimes even reminiscent of a fresh, clean smell. You will never mistake it for an older dog’s breath, that’s for sure! Read some other statements on what puppy breath smells like to other people to see which ones you find to be accurate.
While there are some people who don’t prefer puppy breath, most people would say it at least doesn’t stink. But why? What makes puppy breath smell so good?
Why Does Puppy Breath Smell So Good?
The unique aroma of puppy breath is believed to be a result of several factors.
Different oral bacteria
Puppy mouths are clean and healthy, harboring none of the oral bacteria common in older dogs. Puppies’ mouths contain a mix of bacteria that can produce various compounds different from an adult dog, contributing to the distinct odor.
In addition, solid food can get caught in teeth, whereas a puppy on a liquid diet of milk or semi-soft food with tiny teeth will not have as much chance for bacteria, plaque, and tartar to become stuck in their teeth and decompose, causing bad breath.
Different diet
Puppies begin nursing as soon as they are born and will nurse around every 2 hours as pups. Some breeders introduce soft puppy food at 3-4 weeks of age, which corresponds to a puppy’s first eruption of teeth.
Mother’s milk is lactose-based and has a sweet smell and taste. Colostrum is the first milk produced by the mother after giving birth. It is rich in essential nutrients, antibodies, and other substances that help support the development of the newborn's immune system. Over time, a dam’s milk will shift and change in composition to provide a growing puppy with proper nutrition. This thick, creamy milk is responsible for puppy breath since it is primarily what the puppy is eating.
The weaning process takes place over the next few weeks when a puppy will gradually replace nursing with solid food. By 8-10 weeks, the majority of puppies are eating high-quality puppy food and are ready to separate from their mothers. Puppy food is a completely different formula than adult food, so that is why it doesn’t have the same effect on a puppy’s breath as adult food would for an older dog.
Different gut microbiomes
The “gut microbiome” refers to the community of microorganisms that reside in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal. Mother's milk contains specific types of beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, that aid in establishing a healthy gut microbiome in puppies. As the puppies transition to an adult diet, the diversity of microorganisms in their gut expands, with new species colonizing their digestive system. Transitioning from mother's milk to an adult diet shapes the composition of the gut microbiome and can also explain the scent change in a puppy’s breath.
How Long Does Puppy Breath Last?
We wish puppy breath could last forever! While they may stay cuddly, soft, and furry, we, unfortunately, can’t preserve puppy breath.
As puppies grow older and their teeth develop, their breath will change. The puppy breath stage is temporary, lasting only a few months. Eventually, their breath will transition to a more typical doggy scent as they mature.
The most obvious time you will notice a change is when a puppy has been fully weaned and their adult teeth are starting to grow. Some people swear they can still smell puppy breath past this point, but it is rare to smell it after 6 months when your puppy’s teeth are done growing in and solid food is approaching a switch from puppy to adult dog food.
Here is a quick guide to puppy teething so you can know what to expect with puppy breath.
Keep Your Puppy’s Breath Smelling Fresh With Proper Dental Care For Puppies
Maintaining effective puppy dental health is a crucial part of a puppy’s overall well-being. An improper or infrequent cleaning routine can turn into way more than stinky breath because it can lead to very serious health issues and periodontal disease, even affecting the heart, kidneys, and other organs.
Introduce proper puppy dental hygiene as soon as your puppy comes home to get them used to the process. Here are some ways to keep your puppy’s mouth clean:
- Dog toothpaste and toothbrush: Never use dental products meant for humans – always choose those meant for dogs that are non-toxic and pet-friendly. Select a soft-bristled toothbrush or silicone finger cap with bumps.
- Dental wipes for dogs: These help you swab and swipe their mouths. You can wipe each tooth using the wipes as well as the gums.
- Specialized dental puppy treats: There are lots of puppy treats on the market that have a breath-freshening component and a design that encourages safe chewing for teething puppies that help clean their teeth.
- Chew toys: Because puppies are mouthy and love to chew everything, purchase soft yet durable chew toys to help clean the nooks and crannies of their teeth.
- Veterinary care: Some dogs, especially smaller dogs, may need anesthesia to receive dental treatments. Make sure to chat with your veterinarian about when in-office routine dental procedures are needed.
Why Does My Puppy Have Foul-Smelling Breath?
If you’re wondering, “Why does my puppy have bad breath? I thought it was supposed to smell great!” it could be due to a variety of reasons. Most of these issues can be prevented with proper supervision, as puppies are curious and explore the world through their mouths. To keep your puppy’s breath smelling fresh, make sure you’re keeping an eye on them. Other factors can’t necessarily be avoided, so the best option is to do what you can to monitor your puppy’s dental health and call the vet when you are not sure.
Puppy teething process
Many odor issues can form during the puppy teething process. Inflammation during the teething process can cause an odor when puppies are cutting their teeth. A nasty odor can indicate a more serious problem, though.
Periodontal disease
Sometimes your puppy can experience more serious teething problems beyond the normal puppy teething process. Impacted or crowded teeth, abscesses, and other issues will need the attention of a vet. Your puppy’s breath will definitely give it away with an infected or metallic smell due to blood.
Mouth injuries
Anyone who has been around a puppy knows they will go after anything with their little shark mouths! While it may be annoying (and painful), it is natural for a puppy to check out their surroundings using their mouths.
However, puppies can sustain gum and teeth injuries if they chew on something they shouldn’t be chewing on, like splintered furniture, a stick, or a hard bone meant for an older dog. They could crack a tooth or cause a scrape or puncture. You’ll also be smelling blood and possibly infection. Supervising your puppy and puppy-proofing your home are great ways to be proactive in preventing mouth injuries.
Eating something they shouldn’t
Speaking of mouthing objects, puppies are notorious for finding the grossest thing they can and eating it. It’s like the stench has magnetic forces attracting your puppy to the dead carcass buffet. Also, that pile they’re heading for is not some brownies leftover from last night’s cookout!
When puppies eat something they should not, their mouths and breath are going to absolutely reek. If they ingested the substance, their burps, gas, possible vomit, and stool will also stink badly. If you know your puppy hasn’t gotten into poop, garbage, or a dead animal, always check to see if they’re eating the right formula of food. And if you’re wondering why puppies eat poop and other nasty things, we’ve got you covered!
Other serious health issues
If your puppy does not seem to be bothered by teething, a mouth injury, or hasn’t eaten anything gross to your knowledge but still has a foul odor emanating from their mouth, make an appointment with your vet right away. This could indicate a much more serious health issue and needs attention beyond what you can provide.
Plenty of Puppy Breath Awaits You at Pawrade
At Pawrade, we know how magical it is to hold your puppy for the first time and breathe in that delicious, comforting puppy breath scent. While we suppose you could purchase some puppy breath fragrance (yes, that product actually exists!), why not go straight to the source with a Pawrade puppy? We have puppies for sale that fit all lifestyles and preferences. Let us help you find the puppy of your dreams!
