Why does my puppy's breath smell of poo?

[Medievalist]

Just that really. He's 11 weeks old and we've had him for 5 days (acquired him from someone who hadn't realised how demanding puppies were and was trying to give him to a rescue centre). He's absolutely gorgeous but has quite bad breath which sort of smells like a mixture of poo and the dog food he's on.

We took him to the vet on Tuesday and I didn't think to mention it then and thought maybe he just needed a bath. Well he's had a bath and it's definitely his breath! He's had lots of attention in the housetraining department since he arrived and we're sure he's not a poo eater. He seems in very good health and has masses of energy 🙄.

I've read that puppies' breath can smell when they're teething but that it's more fishy and I don't think he's the right age for that. Obviously will mention it to the vet when he goes for his next jabs. But in the meantime I wondered if anyone had any suggestions as to what could be causing it?

Has he been eating his pop?

*poo damn autocorrect

No, as I said, he's not a poo eater.

Is it his food?
My puppy came to me on raw, and while chicken was fine, the beef and tripe gave her revolting breath (and the shits) and we are currently on a bland diet of cooked chicken and rice while her tummy settles..and then it's going to be some cooked food and high quality kibble.

Puppies have such delicate stomachs and if yours has poo breath I would look at (slowly) changing her to a different food and see if that helps.

Also check he hasn't something revolting stuck in his back teeth!

StillMedusa - I wondered about his food. Sometimes I think that's what it smells like but the food doesn't smell as bad as his breath! He came to us with a large bag of Chudley's puppy junior dried food. Not one I'm familiar with but he absolutely loves it (though he's a Labrador so would probably eat anything). Because we got him unexpectedly, we didn't have time to look into puppy food and plan for his arrival.

I was thinking of changing his food when he's settled in and got over the move and I've had a chance to investigate what would be best. But he's doing nice poos so I'm wary about upsetting his tummy!

Is he eating cat poo in the garden? Or bird or hedgehog or any other poo

No he's not. We've only had him 6 days and he's never been left alone.