Why Does My Cat's Breath Stink?

[Image of a cat with bad breath]

Cats are notorious for having bad breath. In fact, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 70% of cats over the age of three have some degree of periodontal disease, which is the main cause of bad breath in cats.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to bad breath in cats, including:

• Poor dental hygiene: Just like humans, cats need to brush their teeth regularly to remove plaque and bacteria. If plaque is not removed, it can harden into tartar, which can irritate the gums and cause inflammation.
• Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease is a serious gum infection that can damage the gums and bones that support the teeth. It is the most common cause of bad breath in cats.
• Kidney disease: Kidney disease can cause a build-up of toxins in the blood, which can lead to bad breath.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can cause a build-up of glucose in the blood, which can also lead to bad breath.
• Upper respiratory infections: Upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold, can also cause bad breath.

How to Treat Bad Breath in Cats

The best way to treat bad breath in cats is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This means brushing your cat's teeth regularly, providing them with a healthy diet, and taking them to the vet for regular check-ups.

If your cat already has bad breath, there are a number of things you can do to treat it:

• Brush your cat's teeth: Brushing your cat's teeth is the most effective way to remove plaque and bacteria and prevent periodontal disease. You should brush your cat's teeth at least twice a week, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a cat-specific toothpaste.
• Give your cat a dental cleaning: If your cat has periodontal disease, your vet may recommend a dental cleaning. This involves scaling the teeth to remove tartar and plaque, and polishing the teeth to help prevent future plaque build-up.
• Treat your cat for underlying medical conditions: If your cat's bad breath is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease or diabetes, your vet will need to treat the underlying condition in order to resolve the bad breath.

Tips and Tricks for Preventing Bad Breath in Cats

In addition to brushing your cat's teeth and taking them to the vet for regular check-ups, there are a number of other things you can do to prevent bad breath in cats:

• Feed your cat a healthy diet: A healthy diet is essential for your cat's overall health, including their oral health. Feed your cat a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates to help prevent plaque build-up.
• Provide your cat with plenty of fresh water: Fresh water helps to flush away plaque and bacteria from your cat's mouth. Make sure your cat always has access to fresh water.
• Give your cat dental treats: Dental treats can help to clean your cat's teeth and freshen their breath. Look for dental treats that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are a few common mistakes that people make when trying to treat bad breath in cats. These mistakes can actually make the problem worse:

• Using human toothpaste on cats: Human toothpaste contains ingredients that are harmful to cats, such as fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate. These ingredients can irritate your cat's mouth and gums, and can even lead to health problems.
• Giving your cat antibiotics for bad breath: Antibiotics are not effective against periodontal disease, which is the most common cause of bad breath in cats. In fact, antibiotics can actually make periodontal disease worse by killing the good bacteria in your cat's mouth.
• Ignoring your cat's bad breath: Bad breath in cats is not just a cosmetic problem. It can be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. If your cat has bad breath, take them to the vet to rule out any underlying health problems.

Step-by-Step Approach to Treating Bad Breath in Cats

If your cat has bad breath, follow these steps to treat the problem:

1. Brush your cat's teeth: Brush your cat's teeth at least twice a week, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a cat-specific toothpaste.
2. Take your cat to the vet for a dental cleaning: If your cat has periodontal disease, your vet may recommend a dental cleaning.
3. Treat your cat for underlying medical conditions: If your cat's bad breath is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease or diabetes, your vet will need to treat the underlying condition in order to resolve the bad breath.
4. Feed your cat a healthy diet: Feed your cat a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates to help prevent plaque build-up.
5. Provide your cat with plenty of fresh water: Fresh water helps to flush away plaque and bacteria from your cat's mouth. Make sure your cat always has access to fresh water.
6. Give your cat dental treats: Dental treats can help to clean your cat's teeth and freshen their breath. Look for dental treats that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).

Stories and What We Learn

• Story 1: One time, my cat's breath was so bad that I could smell it from across the room. I took him to the vet, and they told me that he had periodontal disease. I started brushing his teeth regularly, and his breath improved a lot.
• What we learn: Bad breath in cats is often a sign of periodontal disease. If your cat's breath is bad, take them to the vet to rule out any underlying health problems.
• Story 2: I used to give my cat human toothpaste to brush his teeth. One day, he started foaming at the mouth and had to be taken to the vet. The vet told me that human toothpaste is harmful to cats, and I should never use it again.
• What we learn: Never use human toothpaste on cats. Human toothpaste contains ingredients that are harmful to cats, and can cause health problems.
• Story 3: My cat used to have really bad breath, but I started giving him dental treats every day. His breath improved a lot, and he now loves getting his teeth cleaned.
• What we learn: Dental treats can help to clean your cat's teeth and freshen their breath. Look for dental treats that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).

Conclusion

Bad breath in cats is a common problem, but it can be prevented and treated. By following the tips and advice in this article, you can help keep your cat's breath fresh and healthy.

Tables

Table 1: Causes of Bad Breath in Cats

Table 2: Tips for Preventing Bad Breath in Cats

Table 3: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Treating Bad Breath in Cats