Why Does Your Cat’s Breath Smell Bad?

1 Causes and Treatment of Cat Bad Breath

I. Causes of cat bad breath

1. Poor dental cleaning: Food left long in the gaps between teeth, never cleaned out, decomposes and releases a strong odor, causing bad breath.

2. Oral problems: Conditions like tartar, gingivitis, periodontitis, and mouth ulcers are accompanied by bad breath.

3. Digestive issues: Digestive problems usually come with diarrhea and vomiting, but they can also cause bad breath—just a less obvious sign.

4. Kidney failure: Kidney disease mainly means a buildup of toxins in the body, which also causes bad breath; kidney failure threatens the cat’s life and must be treated promptly.

5. Leukemia virus: Feline leukemia is also linked to bad breath; if the cause can’t be found, test for feline leukemia.

6. Diabetes: Diabetes also causes bad breath, and the smell is distinctive and easy to recognize.

II. How to treat cat bad breath

1. Have a vet clean the cat’s teeth professionally; remove cavities or loose teeth, and clean the cat’s teeth at home regularly.

2. Offer a different type of food; avoid strongly scented foods and anything that sticks to the teeth. You can also add a water additive to the drinking water to help with bad breath.

3. If the bad breath comes from disease, treat that condition first, then see whether the odor remains; if it does, treat it directly.

4. Antibiotics can prevent bacterial infection—most bad breath comes from oral problems, so antibiotics help reduce infection.

Bad breath has many causes, and many are treatable if caught early. But left untreated it becomes chronic, so owners must take it seriously. If you have other related questions, you can also consult an online veterinarian.