Have you noticed that your cat has unpleasant breath? Beyond harmless causes, serious illnesses can also be behind bad breath in cats. Find out here when your cat's bad breath is alarming and what causes it might have. Furthermore, you will receive tips on preventative measures to avoid secondary diseases.
Table of Contents
- Bad breath in cats
- Bad breath in cats: Types of odors and possible causes
- Possible causes of bad breath in cats
- Cat has bad breath – what to do?
- Preventing bad breath in cats
- Conclusion: Correctly assessing bad breath in cats
- Frequently asked questions
Bad breath in cats
The fact that cats, as carnivores and fish-eaters, have unpleasant breath is hardly surprising. Mild bad breath after eating is normal and should not cause you concern. As a rule, the odor dissipates on its own after some time.
However, if your cat has long-term foul-smelling breath or you notice a significant worsening of the bad breath, you should pay attention. Because: strong stench from the mouth is not always due solely to eating. Instead, bad breath can also be a symptom of a serious illness or injury.
Bad breath in cats: Types of odors and possible causes
Important: The odor alone does not allow for a definitive diagnosis. If the cat is not eating, drooling excessively, vomiting, is noticeably weak, has breathing problems, or the bad breath appears suddenly and very intensely, it should be examined by a veterinarian promptly.
|
Type of bad breath |
Possible cause / illness |
Urgency |
|
Putrid / decaying |
Tartar, gingivitis, inflamed tooth root, FORL, oral infection |
Clarify with a veterinarian |
|
Strongly purulent / very unpleasant |
Abscess, severe inflammation, or infected wound in the mouth |
High – see a vet promptly |
|
Sweet / fruity / acetone-like |
Can occur with diabetes and especially diabetic ketoacidosis |
Very high – clarify immediately if other symptoms exist |
|
Urine- / ammonia-like |
Can occur with advanced kidney disease or uremia |
High – clarify promptly |
|
Metallic / bloody |
Bleeding or injuries in the mouth, severe gingivitis |
Clarify with a veterinarian |
|
Fishy / like food |
Often food residue, plaque, or dental problems; can be temporarily normal |
Observe; clarify if odor persists |
|
Unusually putrid + drooling/difficulty swallowing |
Inflammation, foreign object, severe dental disease, or more rarely, a tumor in the mouth |
High – see a vet promptly |
Possible causes of bad breath in cats
The following aspects and health problems can be responsible for foul-smelling breath in cats:
- Dental problems & dental diseases
- Gastrointestinal tract diseases & liver diseases
- Diabetes
- Kidney diseases
- Tumors
-
Low-quality cat food
Dental problems & dental diseases
Problems with teeth can be recognized in cats, in addition to bad breath, by increased salivation and drooling, difficulty chewing, and reduced food intake.
The following dental problems can cause bad breath in cats:
- Tartar
- Gingivitis
- Injuries
- Food scraps or foreign objects between the teeth
- Feline disease FORL
Tartar and gingivitis
One of the most common causes of bad breath in cats is tartar. Tartar is yellow to brownish plaque that hardens over time. It forms when food residues stick to the teeth. In combination with saliva and bacteria, this often leads to gingivitis. In addition to bad breath, the consequences can be red and swollen areas as well as bleeding gums. Furthermore, cats can also suffer from cavities and dental infections.
Injuries in the mouth
An injury in the cat's mouth can also lead to bad breath: when eating, it can easily happen that your furry friend's gums are injured. Such a wound causes bad breath – especially if it becomes inflamed.
Simple malocclusions can also be responsible for bad breath: Large gaps between the teeth provide room for food residue or other foreign objects to settle and react with bacteria. Often, short-nosed breeds like Burmese, Persian, or British Shorthair cats suffer from tooth misalignment – and thus have an increased risk of dental problems and side effects like bad breath.
FORL
A widespread feline disease is FORL (short for Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions). In this condition, the teeth are attacked from the inside by the body's own cells and gradually dissolved. The insidious thing about FORL: the decay of the teeth is not visible from the outside. Only X-rays at the vet can reliably diagnose the disease.
Gastrointestinal tract diseases & liver diseases
Problems in the gastrointestinal tract such as infections or worm infestations, as well as liver diseases, cause bad breath in cats. Other viral infections can also trigger bad breath. Characteristic of gastrointestinal or liver diseases is a particularly acidic or fishy-smelling breath.
Gastrointestinal infections and liver diseases are often accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever, and lethargy. In the case of a worm infestation, parts of the worms or their eggs are often found in the cat's feces. Therefore, it is important to regularly deworm your cat.
Diabetes
Due to elevated blood sugar levels, the breath of cats suffering from diabetes often smells fruity-sweet and reminiscent of fruit vinegar. If your furry friend also drinks a lot and urinates frequently, these are further signs of the presence of diabetes.
Kidney diseases
Kidney problems affect more and more cats with increasing age and, in the worst case, lead to chronic renal insufficiency. Due to the increased amount of urea and other toxins in the blood, the animals' breath often smells of ammonia or urine. Renal insufficiency also causes loss of appetite, lethargy, increased thirst, and frequent urination.
Tumors
Tumors such as squamous cell carcinoma or fibrosarcoma in a cat's mouth and throat can also be triggers for an unpleasant stench from the mouth.
Low-quality cat food
In addition to dental plaque, nutrition can also affect a cat's breath. Low-quality food with a lot of grain and sugar promotes bacteria in the mouth.
If the veterinarian diagnoses an organic cause (such as renal insufficiency or gastrointestinal problems), switching to a needs-based special diet is often the first step:
- KATTOVIT Kidney/Renal: protein- and phosphorus-reduced diet food to relieve the kidneys in case of ammonia-like bad breath.
- KATTOVIT Gastro: easily digestible, stomach-friendly food can help with acidic breath.
Important: Special food supports your cat's health but does not replace a veterinary diagnosis. If the cat has ailments or persistent bad breath, first have the cause clarified. Once the veterinarian has recommended a suitable special diet, you should consistently stick to this special food even after symptoms improve, to avoid relapses.
Furthermore, prefer wet food over dry food. Wet food helps ensure that your cat consumes sufficient liquid, thus preventing further health problems. It is claimed that hard food pieces in dry food remove food residue between teeth and thus prevent tartar. This assumption cannot be proven in that form. Most dry food pieces are too small to be thoroughly chewed by cats and rub against the teeth sufficiently.
Cat has bad breath – what to do?
If you notice that your furry friend has unpleasant breath, follow these steps:
-
Observe if other symptoms occur.
- Check your cat's oral cavity for brown plaque and red, bleeding gums.
- Visit a veterinary clinic to discover or rule out serious illnesses.
- The veterinarian can find out what problems underlie the bad breath through a blood test, stool sample, or biopsy.
Why do kittens have strong bad breath?
If you notice bad breath in your young cat, the teething process may be responsible. This takes place between the third and sixth month of the cat's life and is often accompanied by unpleasant breath.
In kittens as well, inflamed gums, organic diseases, or foreign objects in the spaces between the teeth can be considered as causes for bad breath. Check the young cat's mouth and, in case of doubt, have the bad breath clarified by a veterinarian.
Taking bad breath in old cats seriously
Since old cats are more frequently affected by dental diseases, organ ailments, or diabetes, bad breath can be a serious symptom of such an illness. In any case, make a vet appointment and observe whether your senior cat shows further symptoms.
Preventing bad breath in cats
To prevent bad breath and dental problems in your cat, you can take these steps:
- Ensure your cat drinks enough. KATTOVIT Cat Drinks and KATTOVIT Creams, for example, ensure higher liquid intake and support oral and kidney health. In addition, they offer a high-quality and tasty change from plain water.
- Provide your cat with cat grass. This removes bacteria in the mouth and thus acts preventively against bad breath.
- Introduce dental care such as regular tooth brushing. Important: Do not use toothpaste for humans – this is toxic to cats.
Tip: In this guide you will learn more about how to encourage your cat to drink.
Conclusion: Correctly assessing bad breath in cats
Bad breath in cats is not always harmless. While a slight odor after eating can be normal, you should take persistent or particularly strong bad breath seriously. Often, dental problems like tartar or gingivitis are behind it, but organic diseases of the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, or diabetes can also be the cause. Therefore, observe your cat closely and pay attention to other symptoms.
An early veterinary examination helps clarify the cause and avoid potential secondary diseases. With balanced nutrition, sufficient liquid intake, and regular dental care, you can support your cat's oral health in the long term.
