There’s nothing cuter than a cat, but your furry friend’s breath may not be so sweet. Although a cat’s breath isn’t supposed to smell like mints or roses, an unusually foul smell may signal a problem. Here are three reasons why your cat may have bad breath and how to treat them.
Dental Plaque
One of the most common causes of foul mouth odor in cats is dental plaque. The good news is that you can easily remedy this problem by scheduling a dental cleaning with your veterinarian. Keep plaque from recurring by brushing your cat’s teeth with a pet-safe toothpaste two or three times per week and providing crunchy cat treats for bad breath.
Medical Conditions
Bad breath can also be a sign of something more serious. Medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease and mouth cancer can cause foul breath odors. It’s important to have your cat evaluated by a veterinarian if breath odors persist or are especially strong or unpleasant. A full exam, blood tests and imaging may be required to diagnose the problem.
Smelly Food
The source of your cat’s bad breath may be as simple as the food you are feeding. Some flavors and types of cat food have a pungent odor that can linger on your cat’s breath for hours after they eat. Try switching to a less smelly variety of food, or give your cat treats for bad breath after meals.
