How To Fix Cats Bad Breath? Why And Remedies

How to Fix Cat’s Bad Breath?

Cats are known for being fastidiously clean creatures. So if your feline friend has stinky breath, it’s understandable to be concerned. While occasional bad breath is normal, chronic halitosis in cats can indicate underlying health issues.

In this guide, we’ll explore the common causes of bad cat breath and provide actionable tips to help fix the problem.

What’s Causing the Cat Halitosis?

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, stems from bacteria accumulation on the teeth and gums. As plaque and tartar build up, the bacteria produce foul-smelling compounds.

According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, common causes of halitosis in cats include:

• Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums due to plaque buildup. This allows more bacteria to thrive.

• Periodontal disease: Advanced gum infection that damages tissue and erodes tooth sockets.

• Respiratory tract infections: Infections in the nose, throat, or lungs allow bacteria to enter the breath.

• Kidney disease: Toxins in the blood from kidney dysfunction make the breath smell “fishy.”

• Diabetes: Fruity-smelling breath indicates untreated diabetes, from ketones in the blood.

• Gastrointestinal issues: Any issues in the gut can cause bad breath.

• Foreign objects: Something stuck in the teeth/gums creates ideal bacteria habitat.

• Oral cancer: Tumors in the mouth trap bacteria and smell badly.

• Diet: Low-quality and difficult to digest foods cause bad breath.

If the halitosis persists for more than a day or two, it’s best to have your vet investigate the cause. Let’s explore some solutions!

Feed a High-Quality Diet

Diet is intricately tied to oral health. Dry, processed kibble provides an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Wet, species-appropriate diets help flush away bacteria and prevent buildup.

Consider switching to wet food or a fresh diet: The high moisture content helps cleanse the mouth. Canned/pouched foods also typically have fewer carbs.

Choose digestible, limited-ingredient recipes: Avoid fillers and additives that cats can’t digest fully. This allows food particles to get trapped.

Offer raw bones for plaque removal: Bones are nature’s toothbrush! The chewing action scrubs away plaque. Opt for raw vs cooked.

Hydrate with drinking fountains: Ensuring your cat drinks plenty of water helps avoid a dry mouth where bacteria accumulate.

Ask your vet for diet tips: They can suggest dental diets or other nutrition plans to improve dental and overall health.

Practice Proper Dental Hygiene

Just like us, daily teeth brushing is ideal to control plaque in cats before it turns to tartar. Here are some tips:

• Use cat toothpaste: Human toothpaste is not safe to swallow. Cat toothpaste comes in yummy poultry flavors.

• Try finger brushes or soft bristles: Your cat will adjust better to a gentle touch. Let them lick the toothpaste first.

• Take it slow: Work your way up from brushing just the front teeth to eventually the back molars.

• Make it positive: Give treats and praise during and after brushing so your cat associates it with good things.

• Aim for daily: Brushing just once a week is better than never, but daily is best.

• See your vet: Get an oral exam and cleaning if home brushing isn’t enough to control plaque.

Supplement With Dental Products

Certain products can help reduce plaque, tartar, and bad breath between brushes:

Dental treats: Look for VOHC-approved treats with crunchy textures to scrape plaque off teeth as cats chew.

Water additives: Additives containing anti-plaque enzymes dissolve existing tartar and prevent bacterial growth.

Dental gels: Gels allow you to quickly rub powerful plaque-fighting ingredients onto the teeth and gums.

Dental chews: Chews with antiseptic ingredients deter bacteria growth while providing a gnawing texture.

Greenies Feline Dental Treats: These treats shaped like little toothbrushes provide a scrubbing action and freshening.

Oxyfresh Premium Pet Dental Kit: The kit includes a deep cleaning gel, antimicrobial spray, and water additive.

Talk to your veterinarian about the best dental supplements to pair with your cat’s needs. Consistency is key!

Schedule Veterinary Dental Cleanings

Even with daily brushing, most cats need professional veterinary dental cleanings periodically. Here’s what to expect:

• Your cat receives anesthesia to stay still and comfortable during the process.

• The vet and technicians will use scalers and other tools to clean above and below the gumline to reach tartar between teeth and under the gums. X-rays help identify any issues.

• After scraping off all plaque and tartar, the teeth get polished. Fluoride treatment may be applied to protect the teeth.

• Your vet will examine each tooth and may decide to extract severely damaged or infected teeth.

• For mild cases, your vet may recommend a localized antibiotic gel to reduce gum inflammation after cleaning.

• After anesthesia wears off, your cat may be quiet and sleepy. Avoid feeding until fully recovered to prevent choking.

• Cleanings are recommended every 6-12 months for most cats depending on plaque buildup.

Address Underlying Conditions

As outlined earlier, bad cat breath can stem from underlying illness beyond just dental woes. Here are some steps to take:

• Have your veterinarian give your cat a complete oral exam and take dental x-rays to rule out oral cancer and other dental infections.

• They will also conduct a full wellness checkup to assess for signs of diabetes, kidney issues, gastrointestinal disease, respiratory infections, and more.

• Based on the exam findings, the vet may recommend bloodwork, urinalysis, or other diagnostic tests.

• Treatment will depend on the condition. For example, diabetes requires insulin therapy and diet regulation. Kidney disease may need medications, intravenous fluids, and a kidney-friendly diet.

• Maintaining your cat’s health helps optimize their oral health and breath too. Follow your veterinarian’s treatment plan as prescribed.

Other Tips for Freshening Feline Breath

Some other miscellaneous tips to help curb cat halitosis include:

• Wipe the teeth with a soft damp cloth daily to manually remove some plaque.

• Consider adding chlorhexidine antiseptic rinses to your cat’s water a few times a week. Ask your vet first.

• Try natural remedies like baking soda, coconut oil, aloe vera, or lemon water. Only use human-grade ingredients deemed safe for cats.

• Identify and remove any foreign objects stuck in the teeth or gums which can cause localized bacteria. Don’t pull hard objects. See your vet.

• Monitor for signs of dental pain like drooling, weight loss, bad breath that returns right after a cleaning. Get exams twice yearly.

• Implement stress relief measures like routine, cat trees, and Feliway pheromones, which can minimize bad breath from stress.

• Use oral probiotics to balance your cat’s oral microbiome. Probiotics crowd out bad bacteria.

With some diligence about oral hygiene and overall health, you can nip the problem of stinky cat breath in the bud! Don’t ignore chronic halitosis—consult your vet for an evaluation.

Here’s to fresh, healthy kitty breath! Work with your veterinarian to determine the ideal dental care plan for your cat. Consistency with brushing, dental treats, diet, and professional cleanings helps promote optimal oral health.