Some cats love to get up close and personal with their favorite people but it can be off-putting if your cat is getting in your face with bad breath. Our Riverside vets share some reasons your cat's breath smells.
Why Your Cat Has Bad Breath
While cats are not the typical pet with foul breath, it can still be an issue for them. If your cat's breath is intolerable, it could be due to a variety of disorders ranging from consuming smelly food to dental problems and other dangerous ailments.
This makes it all the more important to bring your feline friend in for a dental health checkup with their veterinarian to get to the bottom of this smelly condition.
Oral Hygiene & Dental Disease in Cats
While we always try to provide the best care possible for our feline friends we can sometimes forget that this includes taking care of their oral hygiene. Unfortunately, this isn't always something we do well enough and the majority of cats experience some form of dental disease by the time they are 3 years old.
Every time your cat eats, more food particles and bacteria accumulate, which can lead to a variety of dental disorders. This bacteria must be eliminated every day or it will harden into tartar.While tartar is a major problem on its own, bacteria found on teeth and in the mouth can spread throughout the body, causing heart and kidney illness. This tartar is also the most prevalent cause of gum recession, which can lead to your cat's teeth falling out. All of these things might cause your cat to be in pain as well as have poor breath.
Some common symptoms of these conditions might include:
- Inability to eat or lack of appetite
- Behavioral changes
- Redness of the mouth and gums
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
The only way that dental conditions can be accurately diagnosed is by having your vet perform an oral exam. The treatment that your cat needs will depend on the condition that they are experiencing but some of the possible treatment options may include dental cleanings, tooth extractions, antibiotics, and potential dietary accommodations.
Other Conditions That Can Cause Cats Bad Breath
Dental conditions are the main contributor to bad breath in cats but there are other causes. There is a chance that this condition can be caused by other more serious conditions within your cat's body.
These additional problems will generate symptoms that are very similar to those associated with dental difficulties, so it is critical that you bring your feline companion in for an inspection on a frequent basis.
These other conditions that may cause bad breath in your cat include:
- Diet
- Teething
- Poor oral hygiene
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Ulcers and sores
- Infections
- Abscess
Due to the wide range of conditions that can cause bad breath, it will always be recommended to bring your cat in for a checkup if they are experiencing bad breath, especially if it is persistent.
Treatment for Bad Breath In Cats
When your cat has bad breath your number one goal is going to be to treat the cause or receive a diagnosis for an underlying condition.
In some cases, how to treat bad breath in cats can be simple. You should start brushing your cat's teeth regularly, starting from an early age to help prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. You can find special toothbrushes and toothpaste that make brushing your cat's teeth much easier. If this does not work, you can use your fingers to brush their teeth until your cat accepts this. At the very least brushing should happen multiple times a week and should become easier the more often you do it.
It is also recommended that your cat get a dental checkup at least once a year to get all of the hard-to-reach plaque and tartar and to help spot potential dental concerns early.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.