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Why Does My Cat Smell Like Rotten Eggs? Our Vet Discusses Reasons & Tips

Written by: Dr. Stacie Grannum DVM (Veterinarian)

Last Updated on September 24, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

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Why Does My Cat Smell Like Rotten Eggs? Our Vet Discusses Reasons & Tips

VET APPROVED

Dr. Stacie Grannum, DVM (Vet) Photo

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Stacie Grannum, DVM (Vet)

Veterinarian, DVM

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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It’s important to pay attention to any unusual odors coming from your pet. If your cat smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, it’s crucial to determine the cause, as it could be periodontal disease, an infection, or something to do with their diet. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for a thorough check-up to identify the reason for your kitty’s stinky smell.

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The 7 Reasons That Your Cat May Smell Like Rotten Eggs

1. Periodontal Disease

An oral infection can lead to foul mouth odors and is typically the cause of the issue. That said, other abnormal mouth odors may be caused by stomatitis, mouth cancer, upper respiratory infection, diabetes, an intestinal blockage, or diseases affecting different organs, such as the liver and kidneys.

Veterinarian checks teeth to a big maine coon cat at vet clinic
Image Credit: Ermolaev Alexander, Shutterstock

2. Type of Food (Diet)

Feeding certain foods to your cat can lead to bad odors coming from their mouth and poop, including raw foods or ones rich in fish. A sudden change in your cat’s diet can lead to gastrointestinal upset, gas, or diarrhea that can have a sulfur smell.


3. Ear Infection

Fungal and bacterial infections can cause your cat’s ears to smell bad. Ear mite infections can also contribute to foul odors.

veterinarian examines a cat's ears with an otoscope
Image Credit: Try_my_best, Shutterstock

4. Anal Glands

Soft stools may not express the anal glands completely, which may cause a stinky rear end. Infected anal glands can also be smelly themselves. A frightened cat may also intentionally express their anal glands, which have a similar pungent smell.

healthy vs blocked anal sacs glands
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5. Lack of Grooming

Cats with arthritis, obesity, urinary tract infections, diarrhea, or widespread disease may not be able to effectively groom themselves, leading to poor hygiene.

A closeup shot of a brown cat licking its genital
Image Credit: Wirestock Creators, Shutterstock

6. Skin Infection

Anything that disrupts the skin’s normal protective barrier, such as wounds, parasites, allergies, and cancer, may cause a bad odor.


7. Dirty Litter Box

Infrequent litter box cleaning can lead to the odors building up, so clean your cat’s litter box daily to prevent a stinky kitty!

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Tips for Keeping Your Cat Healthy and Happy

  • Clean the litter box daily.
  • Schedule daily play and grooming sessions with your cat to help identify any abnormalities.
  • Feed your cat a nutritionally complete and balanced diet.
  • Take notice of any unusual or abnormal behaviors.
  • Schedule regular veterinary visits to detect problems early.

If you’re concerned about your cat’s health we suggest you speak to a vet.

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Conclusion

If you notice that your cat has a strong smell of sulfur or rotten eggs, it could be gas or expressed anal glands. But the smell could also indicate various underlying issues. Oral infections, cancer, skin infections, lack of grooming, and even the type of food or the cleanliness of the litter box can all be contributing factors. If you detect a sudden onset of this odor, it’s important to promptly schedule a veterinary check-up to identify and address the root cause.


Featured Image Credit: Stanislaw Mikulski, Shutterstock

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