Why Does My Cat Have Bad Breath?

If your pet suffers from feline halitosis (cat bad breath) you will know that it can be unpleasant. It is embarrassing too when you have visitors to the house who may think you do not care for the cat well. What can you do to make your cat nicer to be around again?

Bad breath can occasionally be caused by digestive disorders so if you have recently made any change in the cat's diet, this should be the first thing you consider. Try switching back to what he ate before and see if the problem goes away.

If not, look in the mouth. Bad breath in cats, as in humans, is most often caused by bacteria in the mouth that break down protein in scraps of food, causing sulfur and other chemicals to be released into the air through the breath. It is the sulfur that smells so bad. The bacteria are found in plaque and tartar (a hard yellow substance that forms around the base of teeth).

You can often cure this type of halitosis with special cat foods and treats containing enzymes that will help to keep the cat's teeth free of tartar. Alternatively, you can have your cat's teeth professionally cleaned. This should eliminate the problem immediately, although you may need to incorporate some changes to prevent it recurring. Your veterinarian may also prescribe an antibacterial mouth spray to treat gingivitis (a common gum disease caused by oral bacteria).

Brushing your cat's teeth from time to time is a good idea and if you can start this with a kitten you will probably be able to prevent tartar buildup and many more serious cat dental problems. You can find special pet toothbrushes and toothpaste. A powered toothbrush gives the best motion for tartar prevention. Cleaning is best done soon after a meal but with a cat it may be best not to clean the teeth immediately after eating because he is likely to dislike it and he may become afraid to eat in the house. Waiting for a half hour or an hour may be more effective so that he does not associate the dental cleaning with mealtime.

If your cat does not have any sign of tartar and cleaning the teeth does not cure the bad breath problem, then the cause may be more serious. There could be an underlying dental problem such as an abcess or tumor or resorptive dental disease, which can lead to the loss of teeth. Bad breath in cats has also been linked to feline leukemia, lung cancer and liver or kidney disease. Only your veterinarian can diagnose these conditions so you should have any signs of persistent cat bad breath checked out professionally right away.