Cat / Mix - Answered 1221 days ago
The vet pointed out bad breath in the kitten we adopted from a shelter at 6 months. We'd been giving him gum massages using Oratene gel with our fingers once daily, but we forgot after a while since we got busy with adopting a new cat. After two months the smell got worse so we restarted the massaging. It’s been a month since then but it hasn't been very effective. The vet told us that we should get medication to improve his constitution (twice a year, 10 doses a time, $100 per 10 doses ($200 per year)) if the massages won't work. He also told us that if this continues, our cat might lose the ability to eat food at an early age. I'd like to avoid having to use the medications - is there anything we can do other than that? By the way, we feed him dry food, and we don't give him treats very often (1-2 times a month). *Also, I don't know if this helps, but his lower front teeth are crooked. The vet said that it isn't really a problem since he has all six teeth.
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Dennis Hall
United States
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Yamato
Mix, 11 months old castrated male
14 Answers



Here are some of the reasons for bad breath in your cat By far the most common problem in cats (as well as dogs, and dare we say it humans too!) is lack of mouth hygiene. In short this means that bacteria builds up on the teeth and mixes with food and saliva to cause a smelly substance called plaque. This turns in to tartar and more and more bacteria get trapped around the teeth and gums as age progresses. Without cleaning – either regular brushing or scaling and polishing by a veterinary professional, the mouth will get smellier! Cats that hunt regularly may have cleaner mouths than those that don't, as eating the prey can act a bit like a tooth brush! There are some other things that will cause bad breath in your cat and our advice would always be to get them checked out at the vets as soon as possible. Especially if the smell comes on suddenly as this could indicate something even more serious. Things stuck in the mouth: Cats often scavenge. They are particularly prone to getting bits of chicken bone stuck in their mouths or in between their teeth – even if you didn't give it to them! Upper respiratory tract infections: Cats are prone to viruses which cause colds and snuffly noses. These are often accompanied by smelly breath with or without mouth ulcers. Vomiting and regurgitation: This can be quite normal in cats - so long as it is not too frequent - and can be associated with smelly breath. Mouth tumours: Sadly these are quite common in old cats. They often go unnoticed, until they start to bleed when the cat eats. Kidney disease: Renal disease is common in old cats. One of the symptoms is really smelly breath and sore gums. This disease is often accompanied with drinking and urinating a lot. Gingivostomatitis: Inflammation of the gums and mouth can cause the breath to smell unpleasant. It is often very painful for the cat to open their mouth or eat. To find out more about dental disease in cats > Fish based diets: As with dogs, any diet based on fish protein may give rise to fishy breath. Not nice to cuddle up to! Kittens teething – When kittens start to lose their baby teeth at around 4 months + of age and the adult ones are coming through, they do get very smelly breath. You do not need to worry about it as it will pass within a few weeks. You can do a lot to prevent or improve your cat’s breath – Regular dental check ups are essential Buy your cat a toothbrush and tooth paste. Watch a video on how to do it! Feed prescription veterinary diets specially designed to keep teeth clean. Veterinary chews can also be useful and your cat will enjoy them. Especially those with cat nip in! You can buy these at your local veterinary practice > Allow access to the outdoors for hunting if your cat wishes to. Have a scale and polish when your vet suggest it.
Answered 1228 days ago icon




There are several possible causes of bad breath in cats. These are some of the most common: 1. Diet The food your cat consumes can often be a cause of bad breath. If you’re asking yourself why your cat’s breath smells, it might be a good idea to look at what they’re eating. If you have taken your cat to the vet and ruled out any oral health issues, then their diet may well be the cause. Occasionally wet and soft cat food can cause bad cat breath as it can stick to a cat’s teeth, which tends not to happen with dry food. 2. Gingivitis Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums. It occurs when an accumulation of plaque and bacteria builds up in your cat’s mouth over time. Gingivitis can be uncomfortable for your cat and may cause bad breath in cats. 3. Periodontal disease Periodontal disease can also develop when a cat is suffering gingivitis for a prolonged period of time. If the gingivitis is left untreated it can cause tartar (hardened plaque) to build up underneath a cat’s gums which creates little pockets of space. These pockets are the perfect breeding ground for bacterial growth and this can lead to periodontal disease, another common cause of bad breath in cats. 4. Coprophagia and pica Coprophagia is the term for a cat who is eating their own or other animals’ faeces. Pica is a medical issue in cats where it regularly eats non-food items. Both of these issues can cause bad cat breath. If you suspect your cat has been eating something they shouldn’t, it’s best to take them to the vets. 5. Stomatitis Feline stomatitis occurs when the whole of a cat’s oral cavity becomes severely inflamed. One common symptom of stomatitis is very bad cat breath. It’s important to book a consultation with your vet if you notice your cat’s breath has a strong, foul smell to it. Read our guide to stomatitis in cats for more symptoms and advice. 6. Kidney disease On very rare occasions, kidney disease can cause bad breath. There are two different types of kidney diseases that your cat could suffer from. The first is acute kidney failure and the second is chronic kidney failure. There are a few different symptoms that could be a sign of kidney failure, such as vomiting, weight loss and bad cat breath. Read our guide to kidney disease in cats for more information. 7. Diabetes Diabetes could also be behind a cat’s bad breath. If your cat is diagnosed with diabetes you may notice their breath have a fruity smell to it. This rare smell could be the sign of a metabolic problem with the diabetes and you should take your cat to a vet straight away. Other signs that your cat may have diabetes are a significant increase in urinating and drinking along with an increase in appetite. Try out some of the steps below to reduce the bad smell coming from your cat’s mouth. If your cat is suffering from gum disease, check with your vet before carrying out any home treatments as the inflamed gums can be sensitive. Cleaning your cat’s teeth at home Brushing a cat’s teeth regularly not only helps reduce plaque and tartar build up, but it can also reduce bad cat breath. When cleaning a cat’s teeth, it’s important you do it somewhere comfortable and whilst using a cat toothbrush – one specially designed for their small, sharp teeth. Never give a cat human toothpaste, instead, you should use specialist pet toothpaste designed for cats
Answered 1283 days ago icon





Bad breath or halitosis may indicate conditions from periodontal, kidney, respiratory or liver disease to diabetes, skin disease (involving tissue around the lips) or oral trauma. However, by far, the most common problem associated with bad breath is periodontal disease. Without good dental care, this preventable disease is likely to cause pain, tooth loss, and infection that, in some cases, can spread to other organs. Without tooth brushing, a film called plaque adheres to the teeth. Over time, this film thickens and hardens, attracting even more plaque. The gums will swell with gingivitis, eventually leading to tissue and bone loss. Early stages of periodontal disease can be remedied with professional teeth cleaning, which would give your cat a fresh start, but plaque will build up again within days without regular tooth brushing. To prevent most cases of bad breath, brush your cat's teeth - ideally, every day - using tooth gel for felines. Link the brushing to a treat, such as drinking water from a dripping faucet or a favorite canned food. Just before the treat, you can apply a tiny amount of the gel onto a finger and gently apply it to the cat's teeth. Repeat this procedure every day for the first week to establish the new routine. Then, apply the gel a little further back in the mouth, but still without stressing the cat. Because cats hate having their mouths forcefully opened, simply stretch back the lips without opening the mouth. Don't bother the tongue side of the teeth or focus too much on the motion. You simply want to disrupt the plaque buildup at the margin between the tooth and the gum line. OTHER REMEDIES --- 1. ORAL MOUTH SPRAYS 2. DENTAL CHEW STICKS 3. TRY TO CHANGE THE DIET about the medication your vet suggested, could you please specify the medicine otherwise its hard to tell whether his treatment is in the right direction or not. thank you. hope this helps. -- your next door vet
Answered 1288 days ago icon



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