When you have a cat with bad breath, it is essential to pay attention. This condition, known as halitosis, is not only unpleasant for owners, but can also be indicative of underlying health problems in the feline. Around the 70% of adult cats will experience this condition at some point in their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the causes, how to identify it in time and, above all, how to combat it effectively.
Causes of bad breath in cats
Bad breath in cats can have a variety of causes, many of which are related to dental health or general illnesses. Below, we delve into the most common reasons:
- Food: Although it is not always decisive, low-quality food with high levels of carbohydrates can promote the accumulation of tartar and bacterial plaque. Even high quality food or natural food can leave residue between the teeth, although to a lesser extent.
- Dental diseases: Gingivitis and periodontal disease are common causes. A buildup of tartar can lead to painful inflammation that worsens breath odor.
- Oral infections: Ulcers, wounds or infections in the oral cavity, such as chronic feline stomatitis, can be responsible for bad breath.
- Systemic diseases: Conditions such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver disease can manifest with halitosis. For example, a breath that smells like acetone It may be a symptom of diabetes.
- Coprophagia and pica: Some cats have unhygienic habits, such as eating their own feces or inedible materials, which can result in bad breath.
- Respiratory disorders: Nasal infections, tumors or foreign bodies in the airways can also be a cause.
How to identify problems associated with bad breath
Detecting problems associated with bad breath in your cat early can make a big difference in their quality of life. Some signs that could indicate a more serious problem include:
- Difficulty eating: A cat that chews with difficulty or avoids certain foods could have mouth pain.
- Red or bleeding gums: This is a clear indication of gingivitis or periodontitis.
- Intensely sweet or acetone-like odor: It may be a symptom of diabetes.
- Excessive salivation: It may be related to oral infections or diseases that require veterinary attention.
If you identify any of these symptoms, it is vital to go to the veterinarian for a thorough evaluation.
How to combat bad breath in cats
Once you've identified that your cat is suffering from halitosis, it's time to take action to solve the problem. Here are some key strategies you can implement:
- Visit the vet: The first step in addressing the problem is a consultation with your veterinarian. This professional can perform a thorough dental cleaning under anesthesia and rule out systemic diseases such as diabetes or kidney failure.
- Implement regular dental hygiene: Brush your cat's teeth twice a week with a brush tool and toothpaste specific for felines helps prevent the accumulation of tartar and plaque.
- Offer an adequate diet: Choose dry foods that promote dental cleaning through chewing. Also consider supplements or snacks designed for oral care.
- Ensure good hydration: Drinking enough water helps produce saliva, which is crucial for washing away oral bacteria. Cat fountains can encourage water consumption.
- Provide specialized snacks: Dental treats or biscuits with chlorophyll can help combat bad breath while rewarding your cat.
When to go to the vet?
If your cat's bad breath persists even after improving their diet and oral hygiene, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. It's important to have your veterinarian assess their overall condition and perform tests if necessary, such as blood tests, X-rays, or professional dental cleaning under anesthesia.
Remember that you should not ignore bad breath, as it can be the first sign of systemic problems or serious diseases that affect your cat's quality of life. Preventing and detecting problems associated with bad breath in time, we can ensure that our felines enjoy a long and healthy life. If you notice any changes in their behavior or general condition, do not hesitate to consult your veterinarian. Oral care is an essential aspect that, although underestimated, has a significant impact on their well-being.
If the cat is healthy, the main cause of the bad smell from its mouth or feces is food, and as you say, poor quality feed or wet food has a lot to do with it. You have to read the ingredients, no by-products of whatever.
I have tried giving mine several feed or cans, and the difference is very noticeable. Especially at the beginning when he bought his food in the supermarkets. Some smell terrible, when I heated the food a little because it was in the fridge, my husband could not bear the smell ... in a can I found a piece of pointed bone that could have been stuck in the cat's mouth, another I left it open one day in summer out of the fridge and mold came out ...
I remember that when they went to the bathroom they made a terrible stink, now we don't even know about it.
The healthiest, most natural and cheapest thing is to buy livers with chicken hearts in the market and cook them with rice, vegetables and add a can of tuna in olive oil.
There are also cold cuts of turkey or pork (Bon Area, Mercadona, etc.) that are cheap and spread a lot.
Everything influences, their food, and in the case of feces that is agglomerating earth, but still, food is essential.
As their food smells, so they smell.
Very true. The more quality a meal has, the fewer problems - of everything - it will have.