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Bad Breath in Cats: Causes and What to Watch For
An occasional whiff after a meal is normal, but constant cat bad breath points to an underlying problem. The causes run from simple plaque to digestion, mouth ulcers, kidney disease, and even diabetes, each with its own clue. Knowing what to look for helps you act before a minor issue becomes a serious one.
Why Is My Cat Drooling?
Cats drool for many reasons, from normal relaxation to illness or disease, so judge by the situation and the cat's mood. Drooling during sleep or when the cat is content is usually nothing to worry about. But if the saliva is foul-smelling or comes with other symptoms, watch closely, check the mouth for foreign objects, and if drooling persists with signs of discomfort, see a veterinarian. Common causes include deep relaxation, something stuck in the mouth, outside triggers like food smells, and oral disease such as periodontal problems or stomatitis, which often produce smelly drool.
What Is Stomatitis in Cats and What Are the Symptoms?
Feline stomatitis is inflammation of a cat's mouth, caused by various local irritants or systemic diseases, and may be localized or widespread, primary or secondary to another condition. It's an umbrella term covering glossitis, gingivitis, and mucosal inflammation. Signs include poor appetite, drooling, painful chewing, red swollen gums, and bad breath; severe cases show blisters and ulcers. The cause is unclear but likely immune-mediated. Treatment is either medical (chlorhexidine rinses plus antibiotics and corticosteroids under veterinary supervision) or, for stubborn cases, extraction of the premolars and molars — sometimes a full-mouth extraction.