Bad Cat Breath
Bad Cat Breath - the most common cause of bad cat breath is tartar and plaque buildup around the teeth. Dental and oral health care is critical for the well-being and longevity of your cat. Other causes of bad cat breath can include: an abscessed tooth or other dental problems; kidney or liver disease; an unhealthy intestinal tract; or a food that disagrees with your cat's system. Kittens may also have bad breath when they are in the process of shedding their baby teeth but this doesn't normally last.
Given that the most common cause of bad cat breath is tartar and plaque buildup around the teeth, it makes sense to look at that first. Check your cat's teeth for a hard yellowish coating (plaque) on the outer base of it's teeth. Plaque or tartar buildup with cat's is a similar concept to plaque buildup on a human. As with people, small particles of food remain in the mouth after eating. These food particles decompose creating conditions where bacteria thrive. These bacteria grow to form plaque which is a combination of bacteria, mineral and decomposed food. Plaque buildup clings to the base of the teeth causing the gums to become inflamed and recede. Left unchecked this can lead to gingivitis, associated oral infections, and potentially diseases of the kidney and liver.
If you see an excessive buildup of plaque on your cat's teeth you should consider a special trip to the veterinarian. This may be an indicator of more serious problems. Left unchecked, it can also lead to diseases of the kidneys or liver. Plaque is made of bacteria, as previously described, and occasionally pieces of plaque will break loose and enter your cat's circulation. Once in the blood stream, they lodge in the crevices of the kidney, liver or on the valves of the heart. This can cause scarring, inflammation and poor function of these organs, which of course, can lead to far greater problems than bad cat breath.
While
checking your cat's teeth, also check for any signs of an abscess or infection
such as reddish or swollen areas. Also, watch for any sensitivities that your
cat may have in it's mouth which may also be an indicator of an underlying
problem. If you suspect an abscess or infection we recommend a check-up by your
veterinarian.
If you note mild to moderate plaque or tartar buildup on your cat's teeth there are number of steps you can take or changes that you can consider without making a special trip to the veterinarian. These include products for cleaning your cat's teeth or promoting better oral health, as follows:
Dental and Oral Care for Cats
1) Brushing and Toothpaste for Cats - the best method for preventing bad cat breath, plaque buildup and other dental problems is regular brushing of your cat's teeth. Yes we know it is easier said than done, but just as in people where it is a necessity to control bad breath and plaque, the same applies to cats. If possible, try to accustom yourself and your cat to a regular routine of tooth brushing, ideally every day but failing that every few days. Use a small toothbrush with soft bristles, such as a baby toothbrush or one from your local pet store. The Triple Pet Toothbrush on this site is also effective and easy to use as it has three heads that allow you to slide the toothbrush back and forth along your cat's teeth rather than trying to master the up and down stroke.
Use a toothpaste that has been made for cats such as the Triple Pet All Natural Pet Toothpaste. Do not use human toothpaste as some of the ingredients in human toothpaste can be toxic to cats. The combo Triple Pet brush and paste can be viewed at Dental Cleaning Kit for Pets.
2) Water Additives for Plaque Control and Bad Breath - should you or your cat decide that brushing isn't in the cards, there are several products on the market that can be added to your cat's water to control plaque and freshen the breath. These products are not a substitute for regular brushing but they are better than doing nothing. One product we like is the Triple Pet Plaque Off which also contains Yucca Schidigera extract to aid the micro flora system and to reduce odor from the intestinal tract. When considering a water additive product for this purpose, look for one that is odorless and tasteless so that your cat won't object. Also, look for as natural of a product as you can. Some products in this category contain far too many "sodiums" for our liking. AVOID, products that contain the ingredient Xylitol. This is a sweetener used in some products that the ASPSA has warned can be toxic to pets.
3) Food Additives for Oral Health Care - another approach is to use a food additive such as Nature's Dentist. This product is a powder that is sprinkled on the pet's food and is designed to promote better dental health and decrease the incidence of periodontal disease from bacteria buildup. Nature's Dentist contains Yucca Schidigera extract as well as several Probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, to aid the micro flora system and promote a healthier intestinal tract.
Foods & Treats
Most veterinarians and pet specialty stores offer foods or treats that are designed to aid with plaque buildup and tartar control. When considering such a product, however, be cautious of the marketing claims and ask which ingredients in the food or treats actually aid with oral care and why? In other words, is there substance behind the marketing claims? Also, be careful not to go to a lesser quality food for the sake of a dental "magic bullet".
As indicated earlier, your cat's food may be disagreeing with it's system and could be the root cause of it's bad breath. In general, we believe that better quality foods result in a better smell coming out of both ends of your cat, and also promote better overall health. In addition, the top quality foods often contain Probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, to aid the micro flora system promote a healthier intestinal tract. This in turn can aid the breath as it reduces the possibility of "garbage gut" and the bad breath odor that can result. The article on this site titled Best Food provides guidelines on choosing good quality cat foods.
Annual Veterinary Examinations
If you do not already, or you are a new cat owner, we recommend that you take your cat for a veterinary examination once per year which will normally include a dental examination. Good oral health is important for the overall health and well-being of your cat and should be attended to on an ongoing basis.
You are at the Bad Cat Breath page at Cat Supplies Canada. Review our complete line of Dental Care Products; return to our Training and Care page for more articles, tips. and information; or visit our Home Page.
