Cat / Mix - Answered 1228 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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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.
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