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Cats with Bad
Breath - also known as halitosis
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Although a cat's breath under normal circumstances is not the sweetest smell in
the world you will certainly notice when it becomes foul smelling. Bad breath is
usually an indictor that something is not right with your cat's health.
Possible Reasons for Bad Breath in
Cats
Abscessed tooth.
Tooth Decay or broken teeth
Read more on
Toothache and
Tooth Decay in Cats
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
Periodontal Disease
Periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth)
Resorptive Dental Disease
Bone or foreign body stuck between the teeth
Kidney Disease
Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline Stomatitis
Mouth tumors
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Firstly, ask yourself if there are any other symptoms associated with the bad
breath.
Does your cat seem to be in pain around the mouth area?
Is there a
reluctance to eat?
Does your cat try to eat but drops the food once it gets into
the mouth?
Is your cat pawing at the mouth?
Is your cat drooling?
These could be
signs of a bad, broken or abscessed tooth or gum disease. If possible, check
your cat's mouth for foreign bodies such as splinters of bones lodged between
the teeth. Check to see if the gums look normal and that there are no signs of
swelling or bleeding. An abscessed or damaged tooth may not be noticeable to you
so if in doubt get your vet to check your cat's mouth.
Read more on
Toothache and
Tooth Decay in Cats
There are also several other underlying conditions that cause feline bad breath
that can only be successfully diagnosed by your veterinarian.
Dental disease is one of the most common health problems seen by
veterinarians. Tartar build up caused by plaque should be avoided by either
cleaning your cat's teeth yourself or having an annual scaling by your vet.
There are specially formulated toothpastes and specially designed toothbrushes
for cats. Never use a human toothbrush or toothpaste. You can purchase a finger brush
for cats
Special diets are available for
cats which are designed to reduce plaque & tartar formation. Hills Prescription
Diet Feline T/D can be purchased from your veterinarian or online.
Resorptive Dental Disease
Resorptive dental lesion is another condition that is known to cause feline bad
breath. These lesions can be extremely painful. The lesions usually occur
on or just below the gum line but they may affect only the root of the tooth.
Usually cats with resorptive dental disease need to have the teeth involved
extracted.
Cats and
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, which can be treated and reversed
if diagnosed early. The signs and symptoms are red, swollen and puffy gums that
bleed easily. If treatment is not received, gingivitis could progress into
periodontitis, an advanced and more serious stage of gum disease which includes
bone loss and is not reversible
Kidney and Liver Disease and Feline
Leukemia can cause
bad breath in cats
Kidney and liver disease can lead to dental
disease and so cause bad breath in cats. It should also be noted that dental
disease can form bacteria which can break loose from the mouth, enter the blood
stream and cause problems with the kidneys, liver and heart.
Feline leukemia has also been associated with bad breath in cats. Your vet can
perform tests for feline leukemia and may also test for feline aids.
Feline Stomatitis
Cats can be affected by Stomatitis also
known as lymphocytic plasmacytic syndrome (LPGS) which is an inflammation of the
entire mouth. Symptoms may include bad breath, weight loss, inability to eat and
excess salivation.
Mouth tumors
Oral tumors can occur in cats. Any swelling of the mouth associated with bad
breath should be checked by your vet.
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