Cat bad breath or halitosis has many causes.  Cats normally do not have terribly foul breath; it is in the cat’s best interest to explore the possible causes of the bad breath to prevent the malodorous occurrence.

The halitosis may be caused by something as simple as foreign bodies in the mouth. Animals like to eat grass, the reasons are debated; but they do eat grass. Cats who are not outside may have played with an object and gotten fuzz or lint off of it. Human hair can also be ingested by cats and become wrapped up in the mouth around the teeth. Cats like to eat meat like dogs but lack the dog’s strong crunching molars; bones may become lodged in the cat’s mouth. A pet owner may be able to examine the cat’s mouth in some circumstances and dislodge the foreign object; the cat must be very tame and not in extreme pain to accomplish this.  If the cat is not cooperative, a visit to the veterinarian is warranted and necessary.

If the cat owner is able to examine the cat’s mouth for foreign objects, it is the time to notice if there is anything else unusual about the health of the mouth. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and is a prime cause of bad breath in cats. Abscessed teeth are also common and a cause of cat bad breath. Tumors of the mouth, or oral neoplasia, may be evident during the owner’s exam. An oral ulceration may also cause the odor emanating from the cat. Periodontitis is inflammation of the tissue around the tooth and is another cause. All of these conditions are treatable by a veterinarian and need to be addressed immediately so as not to endanger the health of the feline.

Lung diseases such as lung cancer can also cause halitosis in cats. Severe kidney disease is also the cause behind the bad breath on occasion. Only a veterinarian is capable of diagnosing these diseases. It is of the utmost importance a cat owner monitor the cat for any new or different behaviors; he will then be better equipped to relay any pertinent symptoms to the veterinarian. The symptoms owners need to monitor are, but are not limited to oral discharge, bloody oral discharge, oral pain, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, depression, difficulty eating, coughing, or extreme thirst.

The veterinarian will do a thorough physical exam on the cat; he may anesthetize the cat to do an oral exam.  X-rays may be taken also. The course of treatment is dependent on the findings of these procedures.

In summary cat bad breath may be caused by simple tartar buildup or something much more serious. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you as to the proper course of action for any bad breath problems. Brushing the cat’s teeth daily is often advised; a special diet may also be prescribed.