Dental disease is painful and affects a cat's ability to eat comfortably, with repercussions for their overall health. However, dental disease isn't the only potential cause of bad breath in cats. In cats, bad breath or halitosis can signify several serious health conditions, including oral and systemic. Find out the potential causes of bad breath in cats and what you should do if you notice stinky cat breath.
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What causes bad breath in cats?
A cat's bad breath can be related to dental disease, diet, underlying health conditions, and infections in the mouth. Cat owners noticing halitosis should familiarize themselves with the potential causes of bad breath.
Dental disease
Dental disease is the most common cause of bad breath in cats, affecting 50–90% of cats over the age of four.
When a cat doesn't receive proper dental care, plaque and tartar buildup allow the tissues around the teeth to become infected. This is called periodontal disease. The infection leads to the loss of supportive structures around the tooth, and eventually, the cat may lose the affected tooth.
The symptoms of periodontal disease in cats include:
- Swollen, red, and/or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Difficulty eating
- Visible tartar buildup on the teeth
- Teeth falling out or loose
The good news is that periodontal disease is preventable with good oral hygiene.
Other dental issues, such as gingivitis, feline oral resorptive lesions (FORLs), or tumors in the mouth, can contribute to bad breath. Contact your veterinarian if you notice red gums, growths in the mouth, bleeding from the mouth, or difficulty eating.
Diet-related bad breath
Just like a person's breath may be less than pleasant after eating something like stinky tuna or onions, what your cat eats can affect their breath.
A high-quality diet is unlikely to create stinky cat breath outside of a potentially fishy smell if it's a fish-based food. However, spoiled or inappropriate foods may contribute to bad breath. Treats that are high in fat may also contribute to unpleasant breath. Similarly, some supplements like fish oil can also make their breath smell bad.
If your cat's breath smells bad after changing diets, it may be a good reason to switch back to what you previously fed or find a new high-quality diet that meets your cat's needs.
Underlying health issues
Unfortunately, your cat's halitosis can also point to systemic health conditions that require veterinary care. Several health issues can cause halitosis, including:
- Kidney disease. Kidney disease can cause a cat's breath to smell like ammonia. This occurs because of the buildup of waste in your cat's bloodstream. Cats with kidney disease can also develop ulcers in their mouth that contribute a somewhat metallic or bloody quality to their breath. You may also notice excessive drinking, excessive urination, weight loss, and vomiting. You should seek veterinary attention for your cat if you suspect kidney disease.
- Diabetes. When a cat has untreated diabetes, they can develop a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. The body begins to break down fat for energy, producing acids called ketones. Excessive ketones can be very dangerous for your cat. The ketones will result in a fruity or sweet-smelling breath. If you notice this, especially with excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, weakness, and lethargy, this is a medical emergency for your cat.
- Liver disease. Stinky breath can also result from liver disease. This odor is usually foul and smells a bit rotten. Other signs include vomiting, loss of appetite, jaundice, and abdominal pain. If you are concerned, seek urgent veterinary attention.
- Upper respiratory infections (URIs). URIs are perhaps one of the least dangerous causes of halitosis in cats. The build-up of nasal discharge and associated drainage can contribute to a sulfur-like odor in the breath. Other signs include sneezing, conjunctivitis, squinting eyes, discharge from the nose or eyes, and coughing. Contact your veterinarian for an appointment if your cat has signs of a URI.
Foreign objects or infections in the mouth
If a foreign object, such as a blade of grass or string, gets stuck in the mouth, saliva and food particles can cling to it, causing halitosis. These objects can also create an infection, which may lead to bad breath. Oral infections, tumors, or abscesses may also cause halitosis.
When is bad breath a sign of concern?
Bad breath is a sign of concern if it smells sweet or fruity, rotten, or like ammonia. These odors can indicate diabetes, liver disease, or kidney disease, respectively.
If your cat is vomiting, lethargic, has no appetite, is excessively urinating or drinking, or is jaundiced, these are also causes for concern.
Dental disease is not emergent, but you should contact your veterinarian for prompt attention if your cat has exposed tooth roots, is bleeding in their mouth, has swelling in their face or mouth, or is having difficulty eating.
How to treat and prevent bad breath in cats
While not all causes of bad breath in cats are completely preventable, there are steps you can take to promote healthy oral hygiene and monitor overall health.
Regular dental checkups and cleanings
Your cat's dental health is essential to their annual or biannual checkups. The veterinarian will evaluate your cat's teeth and other mouth structures to determine if they need a professional cleaning.
A professional cleaning for a cat is performed under general anesthesia. Plaque and tartar build-up are removed with professional instruments. During the cleaning, the veterinarian can remove plaque and tartar from beneath the gum line, as well. They can also take X-rays of your cat's mouth to look for disease beneath the gums.
Get regular lab work
At annual wellness appointments, your veterinarian will recommend blood and urine testing. This is the best way to catch systemic health conditions like diabetes or renal disease early. Even at a young age, allowing the veterinarian to run labs provides the opportunity to set a baseline.
At-home oral hygiene
Brush your cat's teeth regularly with pet-safe toothpaste. While it would be ideal to do this at least once daily, the minimum to prevent tartar build-up is three times weekly.
You can also offer dental chews and toys to help scrub plaque from the teeth. Some cats may do well with pet-safe water additives that promote dental health. Your veterinarian may recommend oral rinses or dental diets if your cat has chronic dental health issues. Dental diets are formulated to scrub plaque and tartar from the teeth as the cat chews.
Improving your cat’s diet
Provide your cat with high-quality cat food to improve oral health. If your cat frequently struggles with dental health, you can also speak with your veterinarian about a prescription dental diet for cats.
You should avoid table scraps and high-fat treats that can contribute to bad breath. Avoid raw foods, which can contribute to bad breath and increase the risk of infection.
Natural remedies for freshening breath
Adding probiotics to your cat's diet may help improve their breath. The probiotics will promote a healthy balance in the gut, which does impact your cat's breath.
If you are interested in other natural remedies for cat bad breath, consider speaking with a holistic veterinarian. Be cautious about online recommendations, such as parsley. The ASPCA lists parsley as toxic.
When to see a veterinarian for bad breath
If your cat is otherwise acting normal, but the bad breath persists for over a week, it's a good idea to contact your veterinarian. You should also contact your veterinarian if you notice visible dental issues like swollen gums or broken teeth.
If there is a sudden onset of bad breath accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, jaundice, lethargy, and excessive thirst, seek emergency veterinary attention.
Bottom line
A cat's oral health is a commonly overlooked part of pet care, but it's no less important for your feline friend than it is for you.
If you're noticing bad breath, it's best to address the problem early. While dental disease can be reversed in its earliest stages, advanced stages require advanced treatments like tooth extractions. Persistent bad breath in cats can indicate serious health issues.
Contact your veterinarian with any concerns you have about your cat's breath.
FAQ
How do I get rid of my cat's bad breath?
For bad breath in cats that don't go away, it's best to seek veterinary attention. Your veterinarian can rule out dental disease or systemic health conditions that contribute to bad breath and perform dental cleanings if needed. The best way for you to control bad breath at home is by brushing the teeth daily with pet-safe toothpaste.
Why does my cat's breath smell weird?
A cat's breath can smell weird because of dental conditions, infections in the mouth, systemic conditions like diabetes, or because of something they ate. If you cannot identify an obvious cause for your cat's bad breath, it's best to consult with your veterinarian.
Does a cat's breath stink when they're sick?
A cat's breath can stink when they're sick. URIs can contribute to bad breath because of the discharge in the nose and throat. Other conditions, such as diabetes, can also cause a cat's breath to smell weird. If you are concerned that your cat may not be well, it's best to seek veterinary attention.
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Bad breath in cats can be caused by dental health concerns or systemic diseases like diabetes.
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Regularly brushing your cat's teeth is the best way to prevent halitosis.
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You should seek veterinary attention if your cat's foul breath doesn't improve or if your cat is otherwise acting ill.
3 resources
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. 2019 AAHA dental care guidelines for dogs and cats.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feline dental disease.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Parsley.
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