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Causes of Feline Bad Breath

Tess Thompson

Availability of better preventive care has resulted in our pets living longer than before. The flip side is that pets now have to struggle with age-related conditions and dental problems that are emerging as the most commonly diagnosed medical problems in cats.

If you see signs of cat bad breath, there is every reason for you to suspect that something is wrong. Feline bad breath may occur due to any of the following reasons:

Cat breath may become offensive due to teething. By the time cats are six months old, they start shedding their baby teeth. The time between shedding and eruption of permanent teeth is a trying period for pets, just as it is for human babies. The gums appear red and swollen, and you can see new teeth breaking out. You may address the problem by rinsing her mouth with baking soda diluted in water. You can also get an oral breath spray for your cat.

Bad breath can also be caused by gingivitis. Swollen red gums, if teething has been ruled out, indicates gum infection. Cats develop dental problems when plaque accumulates, mineralizes and clings strongly to the teeth. Tartar irritates the gums, leading to inflammation and bacterial infection. Gingivitis is best prevented by regular cleaning of your cat’s teeth.

Canned and soft foods may also cause bad breath in cats. Hard foods and kibble help to clean teeth and massage the gums. They also do not leave residues. As the cat chews, there is an excess production of saliva, which dissolves any plaque that may have formed. Soft foods tend to get stuck between teeth and give off bad smells once they decay. Try changing the cat’s diet or brushing her teeth daily.

Bad breath can also be caused due to an abscess. The infection tends to spread to the sinuses and results in a swollen face. Abscesses have to be drained. The veterinarian may have to extract the involved tooth or teeth.

Although dental problems are the most common cause of feline bad breath, sometimes an inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth or an underlying metabolic disease can also cause bad breath.

It is important for you to insist upon a complete dental checkup whenever you visit your veterinarian for a general assessment of the health of your cat.

Sources
http://petcaretips.net/feline_dental_care.html