Cat / Mix - Answered 1283 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
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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
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