Why Does My Cat’s Breath Stink? 9 Vet Reviewed Reasons & Solutions
If your cat’s breath seems to stink when you lift them up for a cuddle, there can be a few reasons. A healthy cat’s breath shouldn’t smell unpleasant, so if you find yourself wincing when you smell your cat’s breath, it’s time to do something about it! In this article, we'll discuss why cats develop bad breath or halitosis.
The 9 Possible Reasons for Bad Breath in Cats
1. Dental Disease
One of the most common reasons for bad breath in cats is dental disease or periodontal disease. You may see a build-up of plaque and tartar on your cat’s teeth, which can eventually lead to red and receding gums. Certain breeds, including the Burmese, Maine Coon, Siamese, and Persian, are more likely to suffer from dental disease.
2. They Ate Something Stinky
Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock
If your cat has eaten particularly stinky food, which probably tasted delicious to them, you can expect their breath to be a bit pungent for a couple of hours.
3. Oral Trauma
If your cat chewed on something that caused an injury inside their mouth, it may have become infected and started to smell. This may be the issue if you notice any chewed electrical cables recently. Kittens are particularly fond of chewing things they shouldn’t!
4. Diabetes
Bad breath that smells sweet can be an indication of feline diabetes. This will usually be accompanied by weight loss, excessive thirst, and excessive urination. Some cats that have had diabetes for a while may also suffer from damage to the nerves in their hind legs, resulting in a plantigrade stance. Burmese cats bred in Australia are at a higher risk of developing diabetes than most other cats.
5. Airway Infections
Respiratory infections can cause bad breath. There is a wide range of possibilities, including laryngitis, bronchitis, and lung diseases associated with feline immunodeficiency virus.
6. Gastrointestinal Issues
A blockage of the intestines can lead to vomiting, combined with breath that smells like poop. If you’re worried that your cat might have eaten something that could have blocked their intestines, like a toy or other non-food item, watch out for these symptoms.
7. Liver Disease
Liver disease can cause vomiting and bad-smelling breath. This can be combined with the yellowing of your cat’s eyes and gums, loss of appetite, and a swollen abdomen.
8. Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease can cause bad breath, which can have a smell similar to that of urine or ammonia. This is usually accompanied by symptoms like lethargy, extreme weight loss, and increased urination. Cats with kidney disease often drink more than usual, have pale gums, and look unkempt.
9. Cancer
Oral cancer can result in bad breath, blood in the saliva, and difficulty swallowing, with a decreased appetite as a result. Cats can suffer from several forms of oral cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common one in cats.
If you're concerned about your cat's health, you should consult a vet.
How to Treat Stinky Breath in Cats
The first and most important thing to do is to find out the reason for your cat’s bad breath. If this is down to a medical condition, then follow your vet’s advice for ongoing treatment.
If, like many other cats, your feline friend has a dental disease, you can help prevent it from reoccurring in the future by brushing their teeth regularly. This might seem like a difficult task, but many cats will tolerate this just fine once they have gotten used to it.
Start by allowing your cat to lick a small amount of cat-specific toothpaste off your finger. These toothpastes come in a variety of flavors designed to appeal to cats.
Once your cat is comfortable with this stage, you can start to gently touch your cat’s teeth with their toothbrush, rewarding them with a treat regularly.
As they become comfortable with this, you should be able to start brushing your cat’s teeth for very short periods of time. Gradually increase the time that you brush their teeth until you can brush all their teeth.
Brushing your cat’s teeth every day is the gold standard, but aim for at least a couple of times per week, and remember that every brushing session will help!
You can also use water supplements and dental treats to help clean plaque from your cat’s teeth.
Wrapping it up
Stinky breath in cats is often caused by dental disease, but it can also be caused by more serious problems, including liver disease and mouth cancer. Whatever the cause, prompt veterinary attention will help you work out the best way to help your cat.
Plus, clean teeth make for fresh breath, meaning snuggles with your cat will be even better than before!
Featured Image Credit: Stanislaw Mikulski. Shutterstock
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Emma is a freelance writer, specializing in writing about pets, outdoor pursuits, and the environment. Originally from the UK, she has lived in Costa Rica and New Zealand before moving to a smallholding in Spain with her husband, their 4-year-old daughter, and their dogs, cats, horses, and poultry. When she's not writing, Emma can be found taking her dogs for walks in the rolling fields around their home...and usually, at least some of the cats come along, too! Emma is passionate about rescuing animals and providing them with a new life after being abandoned or abused. As well as their own four rescue dogs, she also fosters dogs for re-homing, providing them with love and training while searching for their forever homes.
