Aug
27
Is my kitten’s bad breath just linked to his teething?
Posted by admin under Cats
SoCalLizzie asked:
My kitten has breath so bad that if it could be bottled, would be more deadly than any biohazardous material. Seriously, it’s narsty. But it’s not like it smells like gingivitis, it just smells like his food. I’ve started to get him ready for teeth brushing and he loves the taste of the kitty toothpaste. Yesterday I used the little toothbrush along with the paste, but his gums started to bleed a little bit. Is this common in teething (he’s 5 mos. old) or could it be some sort of problem? He’s always had the bad breath and I’ve taken him to the vet for his shots and they looked at his teeth and never said a word. And he eats like a horse and is super playful, so he doesn’t seem sick or anything…
Rapid Cure for Bad Breath
My kitten has breath so bad that if it could be bottled, would be more deadly than any biohazardous material. Seriously, it’s narsty. But it’s not like it smells like gingivitis, it just smells like his food. I’ve started to get him ready for teeth brushing and he loves the taste of the kitty toothpaste. Yesterday I used the little toothbrush along with the paste, but his gums started to bleed a little bit. Is this common in teething (he’s 5 mos. old) or could it be some sort of problem? He’s always had the bad breath and I’ve taken him to the vet for his shots and they looked at his teeth and never said a word. And he eats like a horse and is super playful, so he doesn’t seem sick or anything…
Rapid Cure for Bad Breath
August 28th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Talk to a vet or someone experienced with things like teething, toothbrushes, and cat mouth diseases.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
The smell may come from inside. When the mouth smells, usually it means that sth. is wrong with his stomach (like indigestion), not the teeth. Maybe give him some lighter food, like boiled chicken for some time, and see how it goes.
September 1st, 2008 at 1:01 pm
This happened to my cat too. Very bad breath… I was advised by the doctor to change her for a while to dry food. This solved the problem.
Also some grass for cats helps the digestion and clears the stomach. I saw difference form the 3rd day. Have a try.
September 1st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Possible Reasons for Bad Breath in Cats
Abscessed tooth. Tooth Decay or broken teeth
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
Periodontal Disease
Periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth)
Resorptive Dental Disease
Bone or foreign body stuck between the teeth
Kidney Disease
Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline Stomatitis
Mouth tumors
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Firstly, ask yourself if there are any other symptoms associated with the bad breath.
Does your cat seem to be in pain around the mouth area?
Is there a reluctance to eat?
Does your cat try to eat but drops the food once it gets into the mouth?
Is your cat pawing at the mouth?
Is your cat drooling?
These could be signs of a bad, broken or abscessed tooth or gum disease. If possible, check your cat’s mouth for foreign bodies such as splinters of bones lodged between the teeth. Check to see if the gums look normal and that there are no signs of swelling or bleeding. An abscessed or damaged tooth may not be noticeable to you so if in doubt get your vet to check your cat’s mouth.
There are also several other underlying conditions that cause feline bad breath that can only be successfully diagnosed by your veterinarian.
Dental disease is one of the most common health problems seen by veterinarians. Tartar build up caused by plaque should be avoided by either cleaning your cat’s teeth yourself or having an annual scaling by your vet. There are specially formulated toothpastes and specially designed toothbrushes for cats. Never use a human toothbrush or toothpaste. You can purchase a finger brush for cats
Special diets are available for cats which are designed to reduce plaque & tartar formation. Hills Prescription Diet Feline T/D can be purchased from your veterinarian or online.
Resorptive Dental Disease
Resorptive dental lesion is another condition that is known to cause feline bad breath. These lesions can be extremely painful. The lesions usually occur on or just below the gum line but they may affect only the root of the tooth. Usually cats with resorptive dental disease need to have the teeth involved extracted.
Cats and Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, which can be treated and reversed if diagnosed early. The signs and symptoms are red, swollen and puffy gums that bleed easily. If treatment is not received, gingivitis could progress into periodontitis, an advanced and more serious stage of gum disease which includes bone loss and is not reversible
Kidney and Liver Disease and Feline Leukemia can cause bad breath in cats
Kidney and liver disease can lead to dental disease and so cause bad breath in cats. It should also be noted that dental disease can form bacteria which can break loose from the mouth, enter the blood stream and cause problems with the kidneys, liver and heart.
Feline leukemia has also been associated with bad breath in cats. Your vet can perform tests for feline leukemia and may also test for feline aids.
Feline Stomatitis
Cats can be affected by Stomatitis also known as lymphocytic plasmacytic syndrome (LPGS) which is an inflammation of the entire mouth. Symptoms may include bad breath, weight loss, inability to eat and excess salivation.
Mouth tumors
Oral tumors can occur in cats. Any swelling of the mouth associated with bad breath should be checked by your vet.