Bad Breath in Cats

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be brought on by a variety of health issue. Don’t stress, your cat’s breath isn’t supposed to smell minty fresh-but if there’s a very strong, fetid smell, there could be an underlying medical issue.

What Could Be Causing My Cat’s Bad Breath?

Frequently, bad breath is triggered by a build-up of odor-producing bacteria in your animal’s mouth. This can be a result of dental or gum disease; specific cats, in fact, might be particularly susceptible to plaque and tartar.

Diet and skin-related problems can also be contributing elements. Nevertheless, persistent bad breath can likewise show more serious medical problems such as problems in the mouth, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, liver or kidneys. In all cases, bad breath is a red flag that needs to be investigated.

How Can I Determine the Cause of My Cat’s Bad Breath?

Your vet is the best person to identify the cause. A physical exam might expose the cause of your feline’s problem. If not, additional tests will likely be recommended. Be all set to address concerns about your feline’s diet, oral hygiene, workout habits and general attitude and behavior.

causes of bad breath in cats

When Is It Time to See the Vet?

The following symptoms will need veterinary attention:

  • Excessive brownish tartar on your cat’s teeth, specifically when accompanied by drooling, problem consuming and red, swollen gums, might show serious dental or gum disease.
  • Uncommonly sweet or fruity breath might suggest diabetes, particularly if your feline has been drinking and urinating more often than typical.
  • Breath that smells like urine can be a sign of kidney disease.
  • An uncommonly nasty odor accompanied by vomiting, lack of appetite, and yellow-tinged corneas and/or gums might signify a liver problem.
  • Pawing at the mouth

How Is Bad Breath Treated?

Treatment depends on your veterinarian’s diagnosis. If plaque is the offender, your feline may need an expert cleansing. If the cause is intestinal or an irregularity in your family pet’s liver, kidneys or lungs, please consult your veterinarian about actions you should take.

How Can I Prevent My Cat From Having Bad Breath

Lots of people assume that bad breath in cats, especially at a particular age, is a “provided”- however that’s not the case. In fact, being proactive about your pet’s oral health will not only make your life together more pleasant, it’s wise preventive medicine:

  • Bring your pet in for regular examinations to make sure he has no underlying medical concerns that might cause bad breath.
  • Make certain your vet displays and tracks the state of your feline’s teeth and breath.
  • Brush your cat’s teeth frequently-every day is ideal. (Please be sure to use tooth paste created for felines as human toothpaste can distress your pet’s stomach.).
  • Discuss home-use oral health items with your veterinarian to see if there’s a type she or he recommends.
  • Talk to your veterinarian about feeding a diet that will help to prevent dental disease. Some feel that the abrasive action caused by chewing hard kibble can decrease the development of plaque.

What Happens If I Ignore My Cat’s Bad Breath

If left untreated, gum disease and excessive tartar-both causes of bad breath-can lead to infection and tooth loss.

Home Remedies for Bad Breath in Cats

If your vet offers your feline a clean expense of health, you can attempt some natural home remedy for bad breath in felines. Diet modifications can in some cases be handy, so ask your veterinarian or holistic veterinarian for recommendations. Please remember that if your veterinarian figured out that your feline’s bad breath is originating from a dental or other health issue, these solutions may help for a little while, however soon the bad breath will return and will continue to continue up until the underlying cause is resolved. Your feline’s body is aiming to inform you something, so take note!

Provide a Brushing

When your feline consumes, a white stinky film known as plaque accumulates over the teeth. Unless this plaque is removed on a regular basis, the plaque will mineralize and become hard-to-remove tartar which will need a vet’s appointment for dental cleaning to remove. If you start getting your cat used to getting his teeth brushed from a young age, opportunities are, he’ll develop substantially less plaque. With patience and loads of favorable reinforcement, you can teach your cat to tolerate having his teeth brushed, which equates into healthier, less smelly mouth. To make the experience even much better; invest in a beef or poultry-flavored tooth paste.

Offer Something to Gnaw

In the wild, cats kept their teeth healthy and clean by munching on the meat and crispy bones of rodents. Nowadays, cats are fed kibble or canned foods so their teeth no longer get that excellent chewing action and teeth scraping as in the good old days. Feline owners are typically lured to feed their felines cooked bones but these can cause serious damage as cooked bones tend to splinter and might cause a cat to choke. A better alternative is feeding kitty some dental treats or offer some chew toys.

Pass Them Some Mints

If your cat’s yawning almost made you faint, you might feel grateful understanding that astute inventors have crafted mints intentionally made for cats. Many offer them even in adorable tins simply as human mints. Simply make sure you do not puzzle them with your mints or your partner won’t feel much happy kissing you after you have actually chewed on a liver-flavored mint!

Try a Water Additive

Nowadays, there are several water ingredients on the market intentionally made to help reduce plaque, tartar and bad breath in felines. All you need to do is include the additive to the feline’s water bowl and permit the feline to drink. Veterinarian Dr. Hughes advises CET Aquadent by Virbac. Aside from cleaning the cat’s teeth as kitty drinks, many users report that some water ingredients likewise help remove that frustrating slime that often collects at the bottom of animal water bowls.

Conclusion

As seen, there are numerous natural home remedy for bad breath in cats. However, not constantly will your cat favorably respond as frequently bad breath is a sign of a hidden illness. As constantly, best to talk to your veterinarian for appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment.

Reyus Mammadli/ author of the article

I have had pets since childhood: cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, geese, chickens, ducks, parrots, aquarium fish and dogs (in the yard). Of course, I constantly encountered diseases of pets and treated them. Glad to be able to share my skills and experience, as well as advice on caring for and adapting these critters and birds.

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