Bad Breath in Cats

Overview:

Bad breath, also known as halitosis is not just an unpleasant odour but a sign of an underlying medical condition, most often caused by dental problems although sometimes other medical conditions can cause bad breath.

Unhealthy teeth & gums have greater impact on the body than just causing bad breath, pain & infection. As the gums have a rich blood supply, bacteria is readily transported to other organs (such as the liver, heart & kidneys)  causing damage & even organ failure. It is important to have bad breath checked out by a veterinarian as quickly as possible.

What causes halitosis in cats?

• Stomatitis

• Gingivitis

• Tooth decay

• Tooth abscess

• Foreign body trapped in the mouth

• Diabetes

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Cancers of the mouth

• Gastrointestinal problems (obstructions, cancer, infection)

What are the symptoms of halitosis?

This is hard to answer because as stated above, there are many causes of halitosis in cats. Obviously, the main symptom is an unpleasant odour from the mouth. However each cause has various symptoms. If the problem is dental, your cat may also have the following symptoms;

• Unwillingness to eat

• Drooling

• Poor coat condition, due to reluctance to groom

• Red, swollen & or bleeding gums

• Tartar (calculus) deposits on the teeth

• Pawing at the mouth

Non dental causes may produce the following symptoms;

• Polyuria (increased urination)

• Polydipsia (increased thirst)

• Weight loss

• Lethargy

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Enlarged liver or kidneys

How is it diagnosed?

Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination of your cat, including checking the oral cavity. Diagnosis may be made upon physical examination, or your veterinarian may wish to run some further tests including;

• X-ray - To check the condition of the dental roots & bones.

• Diagnostic tests to determine liver & kidney function.

• FeLV & or FIV tests.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the halitosis. I

• Remove calculus from the teeth & polish. This will be performed under general anaesthetic.

• Extract any diseased teeth.

• Treat or manage underlying cause such as diabetes, kidney disease etc.

Home dental care for your cat:

There are several ways to care for your cat's teeth at home.

• Regularly brushing your cat's teeth. This will need to be done with a special 'cat' toothbrush & toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste on animals. 
• You can purchase special diets which are designed to  reduce plaque & tartar formation. One such food is Hills T/D which can be purchased through your veterinarian. 
• Feed raw chicken necks or bones. This is a somewhat controversial topic. In Australia it is quite commonly recommended as a way to reduce plaque & tartar formation, however there are risks associated with feeding raw bones to cats. Speak to your veterinarian for his/her opinion on feeding raw chicken necks & or bones.
• Make sure your cat sees a veterinarian once a year for a check up to stay on top of any possible health & dental problems.

Related articles:

Dental Care For Cats: Stomatitis in Cats: Gingivitis in Cats: Liver Disease: Kidney Disease: Feline Diabetes

Please note:

The medical articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes only & should not be used for  the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 

Always seek immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or behavioral) in your pets. 

While great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.