What are the causes and treatment for bad breath in cats?

The issue of bad breath in cats seems to be quite common, as they cannot brush their teeth or maintain oral hygiene every day. It may be due to the negligence of pet owners, allowing preventable oral diseases to develop. Healthy cats do not have any smell in their mouth. It is normal to have some peculiar smell in the mouth right after eating. However, if the mouth smells for a long time, it is definitely abnormal. You need to take it to the hospital immediately for inspection.

Several possible causes of bad breath in cats:

Dental caries - Feeding cats with soft food and cans frequently can easily lead to dental caries. These foods remain around the cat's teeth, causing tartar and gingivitis. If bacteria further invade the periodontal bone, it will cause periodontitis.
Indigestion - When cats have gastrointestinal problems, they usually have bad breath.
Oral infections, ulcers
Malnutrition, lack of vitamins

Special reminder:

The issue of bad breath in cats should not be ignored. If your cat also has this phenomenon, you must find a professional pet doctor to identify the cause.
Do not frequently feed cats with soft food or canned food, as it poses a serious threat to their dental health.

How to prevent and treat bad breath in cats:

Bad breath in cats has many causes, such as dental caries, oral infections, ulcers, indigestion, and vitamin B deficiency. Carefully observing some manifestations of the cat can help you determine the cause of the bad breath.

If the cat's teeth are dirty, the cause is tartar. If the cat drools or has oral ulcers, it may be an oral infection or gum disease. Cats should pay special attention to this during teething. If the discolored old teeth do not fall out automatically, bad breath will occur, and the old teeth need to be extracted. Feeding cats with soft food and cans frequently can cause dental caries. These foods cause tartar around the cat's teeth and lead to gingivitis. If bacteria enter the periodontal sac, it will cause periodontitis. In the end, it may cause loose teeth and tooth necrosis. At this time, the teeth must be extracted.

You can try to help the cat develop the habit of brushing its teeth. Brushing a cat's teeth requires two people. One person holds the cat with one hand and places their palm above the cat's head. With the other hand, gently open the cat's upper lip. The other person uses their index finger to insert it into the cat's lower teeth, gently press the toothpaste, and clean the teeth with a children's toothbrush soaked in lightly salted water once a week.

If the cat has mild indigestion, feed it less and give it some fresh, high-quality cat food. You can also take antacid tablets under the doctor's approval. Cats may also have bad breath due to a lack of vitamin B. There are many types of B vitamins, which cats desperately need. Eating too much processed food can cause vitamin B1 deficiency and symptoms such as seizures and strokes. Meanwhile, excessive food processing can destroy vitamin B6, characterized by weight loss, anemia, and seizures. For the treatment of vitamin B deficiency, vitamin B complex injections, multiple vitamin B tablets, and yeast tablets can be used.

In summary, if a cat has bad breath, it is best to take it to a pet doctor, and treat it according to the doctor's advice.