Cat Bad Breath
Bad breath in cats, also known as feline halitosis, may have several causes. It is most frequently caused by oral problems, but diabetes or lung or kidney disease may also be a cause of bad breath in your cat.
Cat Bad Breath Symptoms
If your cat has bad breath, check for the following:
- Gum inflammation
- Oral ulcers or tumors
- Dental abscess
- Foreign bodies in the mouth, such as bones or plant material
- Bleeding in the mouth
Cat Bad Breath Treatment
Your veterinarian will conduct a series of tests to determine the cause of your cat’s bad breath, which may include x-rays and a full oral examination. If gum disease is the underlying cause of bad breath, your veterinarian may perform a complete dental cleaning with anesthesia to remove plaque and tartar.
If bad breath is caused by poor oral health, make sure to brush your cat’s teeth regularly. Use toothpaste especially formulated for cats, like Sergeant's Petrodex Toothpaste. Apply with a baby toothbrush or a brush included in a kit like Four Paws Petdental Care Kit for Cats. If your cat resists the toothbrush, try applying the toothpaste with a finger wrapped in medical gauze.
To maintain you cat’s dental health, avoid moist food and instead serve a high-quality dry food. There are many brands of dry food that promote dental health, such as Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Dental DD 27 Dry Cat Food. Powders like Wysong Dentatreat can also be sprinkled on top of your regular cat food to keep teeth healthy. Crunchy cat treats like C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews in Cats can help prevent tartar buildup. Additionally, you may want to consider adding a flavorless dental health-promoting product to your cat’s drinking water, like BreathaLyser Plus Drinking Water Additive.
About National Pet Pharmacy
National Pet Pharmacy is your pet health superstore. From prescription only pet medications to organic cat food, National Pet Pharmacy knows that pet health is more than just medicine; it is pet supplies, pet beds and pet food. From whiskers to tail, National Pet Pharmacy cares for your whole pet.
Related Articles
Search for More Information
Search over 10,000 Pet Health Articles