You’ve probably been wondering: Why does my cat’s breath smell? It could be a variety of things. It could be diabetes, kidney disease, or an oral tumor. Regardless of the reason, there are some preventable and treatable causes of bad breath in cats. Read on to learn more about these causes and how to treat them. This article will give you a few pointers. We hope this information will help you determine what may be causing your cat’s bad breath.
Periodontal disease
If you notice your cat has an odorous breath, it’s likely they’re suffering from periodontal disease. This problem is so common that by three years of age, 80% of cats and dogs will show signs of the disease. Plaque, the invisible film that builds up on your cat’s teeth and gums, causes irritation to the gums and teeth. This plaque eventually calcifies into tartar, which can produce a foul odor.
Diabetes
If you’re concerned that your cat is developing a bad breath odor, you can do a few things to investigate. While human breath smells are indicative of dental problems, cat breath smells like urine. This could be a sign of kidney or liver disease. Also, it might indicate that your cat has been vomiting or has yellow-tinged eyes. If you suspect that your cat has urine breath, make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any serious medical issues.
Kidney disease
A bad odor coming from your cat’s mouth may be a sign of several medical problems, including kidney disease. The urine-like or ammonia-like smell in your cat’s mouth is one indication of kidney disease. Liver disease may also produce an odor resembling ammonia. A bad odor coming from your cat’s mouth may be a sign of liver failure or diabetes. However, sometimes fish-based diets can cause fishy smelling breath.
Oral tumors
Your cat’s breath may smell like an oral tumor. Oral tumors are tumors that originate from the mouth and sometimes extend to the jawbone. While the cancer’s chances of spreading outside the mouth are low, oral tumors can spread to the lungs and lymph nodes of the head and neck. Fortunately, this rare cancer is curable with proper treatment. If you’ve noticed your cat’s breath smelling like an oral tumor, you should consult a veterinarian to get an accurate diagnosis.
Gingivitis
You may be wondering, “Why does my cats breath smell?” It may be as simple as your cat not brushing its teeth or gums properly. However, a frequent whiff of your cat’s breath can be a sign of a more serious problem. Cats are prone to halitosis (bad breath), a condition in which odor is produced by bacteria in the mouth. Cats may have a simple yeast infection or may have dental
disease.
Cats spend most of their time grooming themselves. They know how to bathe, brush and clean their fur. But you might be wondering if they do the same thing to keep their mouths in top shape? Cats are finicky creatures and resist any food or care that makes them feel uncomfortable. While some cat owners have observed oral hygiene behaviors such as tongue-scraping, it’s still necessary to help your pet maintain optimal oral hygiene.
