Usually, cats have pungent breath, and it smells similar to the food they consume. So while kissing your cat, if you smell a slight odor, it is normal. But when the smell is foul, sharp, and distinctly bad cat breath, it could indicate a severe health condition. If humans do not brush their teeth for weeks when sick, our mouths stink. Your cat might be facing similar concerns. Visit a veterinarian to get an insight into your cat’s dental and overall health and identify any underlying disease that adds to the foul smell.

Foul-smelling breath, also known as Halitosis, is a periodontal disease that affects not only humans but also cats. 85% of cats suffer from some form of dental condition as per a report from International Cat Care. A cat’s gums and teeth have bacteria that occur naturally. These germs mushroom and develop a bacteria plaque film on the teeth. The film gradually becomes tartar. After breaking down food residues, the bacteria release an odorous mixture. This bacteria can further cause infections in the body by traveling to various organs through blood. This may lead to kidney and heart diseases.

Tartar accumulates and loosens the roots of the teeth, and the detached teeth eventually fall out. If this happens, your cat will have to deal not only with a bad cat breath but also with a painful mouth. Also, cats tend to eat bugs and chew on other unhygienic objects lying around. This habit can lead to oral trauma or an injury. Few other causes of bad breath in cats are abscesses from dead teeth, inflammatory gum conditions, and oral tumors.

Bad cat breath can be a sign of illness or underlying medical conditions

The source of bad cat breath can’t always be traced to bad dental hygiene. Some of the more common systemic causes of bad breath in cats are serious medical conditions that necessitate prompt medical treatment.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD):
Pet Health Network reported that CKD impacts nearly 1 out of 3 cats. CKD decreases kidney function, paving the path for waste products like ammonia and urea to develop in the cat’s blood. Due to this, the cat’s breath may smell like ammonia or urine.

Diabetes:
The disease of the pancreas, diabetes occurs when some pancreatic cells fail to control sugar in the blood. Ketoacidosis is a fatal disease that occurs in diabetes. In this condition, the cat’s breath smells like a fruity odor.

Gastrointestinal trouble:
Continued vomiting due to bowel obstruction leads to feces-like breath smell. Any gastrointestinal condition seeks urgent medical attention.

Not all cases of bad cat breath, however, indicate a health problem. However, consistent bad breath should be checked by a veterinarian. Halitosis is common among cats and a thorough veterinary examination can help identify the cause.

5 Tips to Get Rid of Bad Cat Breath

A vet checks the condition of a cat’s teeth

Visit your veterinarian to identify the cause and dental cleaning:
If you have a kitten without any dental issues, ensure oral hygiene to keep her healthy from a young age. However, if you are dealing with kittens and adult cats with bad breath, start by contacting a veterinarian. Traditional dental cleaning is an excellent first step. Continue these sessions as recommended by the vet. Get the underlying conditions diagnosed and follow an appropriate health regimen.

Dedicate time for brushing your cat’s teeth:
Cats tend to groom and clean themselves and do not appreciate humans’ interference in their matters. However, when it’s about dental health, you should ignore your cat’s resentment and step in to brush her teeth. Gradually, you will be able to train her to let you do so. The hesitance will soon fade away, and your cat will let you do the job for her. You need to schedule a time for brushing her teeth and get her used to it. This practice will help your cat in the long run.

Ensure a well-balanced diet for your cat:
If your cat prefers eating only dry food, you need to pay more attention to her overall diet. If your cat consumes only dry food and does not drink enough water,  she will have a dry mouth, one of the top reasons for bad breath in cats. Switch to food options with more water content in them. Home-cooked meals are exceptionally nutritious for our furry friends while keeping the water content high.

You can also consider Kennel Kitchen Tuna in Jelly, grain-free wet cat food for adults and kittens. Made with fresh tuna and vegetables, this wet food brand is one of the better ones, providing balanced nutrition for adult cats and kittens. Check out our list of recommended cat food here.

Treat your cat with yummier and tougher treats:
Let your cats chew on tougher treats. It will help them clean their teeth by doing away with bacteria and plaque. We recommend Cataholic Neko Tuna & Chicken Cat Treat. It promotes healthy skin, shiny coats, and aids digestion. It is made for cats of all breeds from 2 months upwards. If your cat is not showing any interest in the treats, add some catnip. Please do not make it a habit, though.

Add liquid cleansers:
Dental water additives specifically made for cats help fight plaque. Every morning, add a few drops to your cat’s water bowl. If your cat refuses to drink water, consider some tasteless additives available in the market. Consider Tropiclean Fresh Breath Water Additive. It is a tasteless and odorless liquid formulated with ingredients like green tea to fight bacteria and freshen your cat’s breath.

Dental and oral diseases are the most common health conditions faced by cats today, as per the World Small Animal Veterinary Association report. Your cat’s oral health can maintain her overall health and increase her life expectancy.