There are plenty of health concerns we have as humans that your feline friend may also experience. When you notice your cat’s breath isn’t too pleasant, there are a number of health issues that could be the cause. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons your cat may have bad breath, and what you as a cat owner can do to treat it.
Causes of Bad Breath in Cats
When it comes to health concerns in cats, the most obvious culprit is frequently the right one. Nearly 85% of felines have some form of dental disease, which isn’t surprising when you note the naturally occurring bacteria in their mouths and the fact that cats don’t have their teeth brushed often like we do as humans. Bacterial plaque can build up on your cat’s teeth, and over time will harden and leave a film of tartar on their teeth. This tartar causes bad-smelling compounds, leaving your cat with unpleasant or foul-smelling breath. Additional oral causes of bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, include abscesses from dead teeth, inflammatory gum conditions, and oral tumors.
If your cat’s oral health isn’t the issue, there are serious medical conditions that can leave your cat with foul-smelling breath. These conditions can become worse if not assessed by your veterinarian early-on, so it’s vital to have your cat’s health checked regularly by a feline health and wellness specialist. Systemic causes of bad breath in cats can include chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal conditions.
How to Treat Your Cat’s Bad Breath
Working with a professional cat health specialist or veterinarian is key to determining the cause of their bad breath and identifying effective treatments. If your vet determines that the cause is due to poor dental hygiene, there are some things you can do at home to help improve your cat’s dental health, including:
- Brushing their Teeth: Tooth brushing helps decrease food buildup, plaque, and tartar in your cat’s mouth. Your veterinarian can recommend a toothbrush designed especially for cats that makes brushing easier and less
- Altering their Diet: Another potential solution you can discuss with your vet is changing your cat’s diet and incorporating special cat food that is designed to improve oral health.
- Managing their Chewing Habits: Sometimes, the cause of bad breath in your cat can be due to their habitual chewing on items that aren’t healthy or safe for them to chew on. There are plenty of dental chews and cat toys that are safe for them to chew that can be found at your local pet store. Providing your cat with these safe alternatives can reduce their habit of chewing on non-edible or cat-friendly items.
Concerned About Your Cat’s Oral Health?
At Catonsville Cat Clinic, we treat a wide variety of both common and uncommon health issues in felines. We pride ourselves on helping cat owners understand the different aspects of their cats physical and behavioral health, and provide compassionate health care services for cats of all shapes and sizes. Whether your cat has bad breath and you’re looking to find the cause, or your furry friend is experiencing a different health issue that needs to be professionally treated, our veterinarians are here to help.
Contact us today to learn more.