If you have cats, they probably have bad breath...and it should be no surprise! Just like humans, cats develop odor-causing bacteria and naturally-occurring dental plaque in their mouths that lead to bad breath. If you combine this with the tuna-flavored kitty food you buy, it’s no surprise that your cat’s breath isn’t pleasant all the time.
Bad breath is often no cause for concern, but if it is noticeably worse than usual and persists over a long period of time, it could be a sign that your kitty has underlying health problems that need to be dealt with.
To help you narrow down the culprits of bad breath, here are some of the most common medical problems that could be making your feline friend smelly to be around.
Dental or gum disease
Dental or gum disease is the most common culprit of abnormally bad breath in cats, and it’s usually the result of inadequate dental hygiene. Your cat probably has some kind of dental or gum disease if you notice brown tartar on their teeth, unusual drooling, difficulty eating, or inflamed gums. Certain cat breeds are more prone to tartar and plaque, but any cat that doesn’t get regular, professional teeth cleanings is at risk for dental and gum disease.
If left untreated, dental and gum disease can lead to infection and tooth loss on top of really bad breath, so it’s definitely worth dealing with this issue as soon as you suspect it.
Aside, from dental or gum issues, there are more serious health problems that could be giving your cat bad breath. These include kidney disease, diabetes, liver problems, or issues with the gastrointestinal tract. Here’s how to detect each of these medical problems in your cat.
Diabetes or kidney disease
The symptoms of diabetes and kidney disease in cats can be pretty similar. Bad breath, along with excessive thirst and urination are tell-tale signs of both diseases. The way to tell diabetes and kidney disease apart lies in how bad your cat’s breath smells. If your cat’s breath smells like urine, it is most likely a symptom of kidney disease, whereas if your cat’s bad breath has a sweet or fruity scent to it, he could have diabetes.
Gastrointestinal issues
Occasionally cats with gastrointestinal issues may have a change in the way their breath smells. Abnormal digestion of foods, caused by infection, inflammation, or constipation, can change the smell of the breath. Typically other signs, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or change in appetite, will occur first.
For many cat owners, these symptoms should help you figure out what is going on with your cat’s bad breath and overall health. But, as always, if your cat has unusually bad breath, it’s always a good idea to schedule a visit with your vet to make sure your kitty is getting proper treatment and to ensure that you’re not missing signs of more urgent health issues. As with most health issues, bringing your cat in for regular check-ups at the vet is the best way to prevent the medical problems that cause bad breath.