Cat mouth odor. Causes of an unpleasant smell from a cat and its sources The kitten smells under the tail

When caring for their furry pet, owners often notice an unpleasant smell. There are several reasons why a cat smells from the mouth, and, as a rule, they all indicate some kind of violation in the health of the animal. A timely visit to the veterinary institution will reveal the pathology and begin treatment of the underlying disease.

According to veterinarians, even a healthy cat should normally smell from the mouth. This phenomenon (called halitosis in medicine) is primarily due to the fact that animals, being predators, consume a lot of protein foods. The remains of the products remain in the interdental space, undergo decay processes and cause a specific smell from the pet's oral cavity.

Experienced breeders believe that cats of brachycephalic breeds are prone to halitosis. Due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the bones of the skull, owners of breeds such as the British, Persian, Exotic Shorthair often face this problem. Halitosis is common in sphinxes.

In young pets, the smell from the mouth may be due to the change of teeth or the formation of an abnormal bite. In older animals, the most common cause is associated with disruption of the internal organs.

However, a sharp, putrid stench is not a physiological norm and can be caused by a number of diseases.

Reasons by age

Halitosis - this is the scientific name for an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity, a fairly common reason for contacting a veterinarian. As a rule, the symptom is associated with health problems. Some brachycephalic breeds of cats (Persian, British, Exotic) are more prone to this problem due to the anatomical features of the structure of the muzzle.

The sign can be observed in both young and elderly cats.

In small kittens and animals under 1 year old, most often The causes of a sharp bad breath are the following:

• problems with the timely change of milk teeth;

• incorrect bite formation;

• damage to the oral mucosa by foreign objects, dry food;

• diseases of viral etiology (calcivirosis, rhinotracheitis). Infections are often accompanied by ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa.

Calcivirus

Incorrect bite, sharp food particles, foreign objects injure the delicate mucous membrane of the pet's oral cavity, contribute to the formation of wounds and damage. Food particles get into the space between the teeth, rot, which is accompanied by the phenomenon of halitosis.

In adult animals from 1 year to 8 - 9 years old, the main causes of repulsive odor from the mouth may be the following disorders:

• Deposition of plaque on the teeth and the formation of calculus. These phenomena are accompanied by a strong inflammatory process in the cervical part of the tooth and are often the reason why the cat stinks from the mouth. Tartar provokes the development of caries, gingivitis, periodontal disease, pulpitis. Diseases of the teeth and gums are accompanied by a bacterial infection, which leads to an unpleasant smell from the pet's mouth.

• Stomatitis. The causes of inflammation of the oral cavity can be very diverse. Bacteria, viruses, fungi developing on the mucous membrane lead to tissue death and the appearance of halitosis in the animal. Often the cause of stomatitis are diseases of the salivary glands.

• Injuries of the oral mucosa foreign objects, roughage, bones. Often, cats get damaged in fights for territory.

In older animals older than 8 - 9 years, bad breath is most often a symptom of the following diseases:

• Neoplasms. The reason that the pet smells bad from the mouth may be tumors of the internal organs. With malignant neoplasms, severe intoxication of the body occurs, which is accompanied by halitosis.

• Systemic diseases. The reasons why a cat stinks from the mouth with rotten meat are often diseases of the digestive organs, nephrological pathologies,.

What does the smell say

Having discovered the presence of a fetid odor from the pet's mouth in a pet, the owner can also pay attention to his character. Often, “aromatic” nuances can tell you exactly where the main problem lies:

• , diseases of the esophagus can signal themselves with a putrid odor.

Digestive organs in cats

• A sweet smell is observed in diseases of the liver.

• A sharp ammonia smell is observed with kidney problems: kidney failure, nephritis, which are often accompanied by halitosis in a pet.

• The smell of acetone or overripe apples is characteristic of such a systemic disease as diabetes mellitus.

• If a cat smells rotten from the mouth, then there is a high probability that the cause is dental problems or diseases of the digestive system.

Of course, it is impossible to make a diagnosis only on the basis of the specifics of the stench. The owner should look for symptoms other than bad breath and have a clinical examination at a veterinary clinic.

Watch this video about the causes of bad breath in a cat:

Why does the cat smell like rotten meat from the mouth, a putrid smell appeared

If the cat smells like rotten meat from the mouth, a putrid smell has appeared, then in most cases the causes are diseases of the digestive system. With gastritis, stomach ulcers, diseases of the duodenum, due to a violation of the fermentation of protein products, fermentation and decay processes develop, which cause halitosis. In case of liver diseases, the owner often catches a putrid smell with a sweetish tint from the pet.

Along with halitosis, in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the animal has diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, etc.

What will tell the smell of acetone

If a pet smells of acetone, then it is necessary to conduct a biochemical blood test and exclude diabetes mellitus. With this pathology, a metabolic disorder occurs, ketone bodies enter the bloodstream, which causes the specific smell of overripe apples.

Mechanism of acetone formation in DM

What Causes Cats to Breathe Like Fish?

If a cat's mouth smells like fish, food may be the cause. If the basis of the animal's diet is fish products, then the smell will be appropriate. Some ready-made mass-market dry foods containing low-quality proteins also lead to an unpleasant odor.

The cat smells like urine from the mouth: what provoked the aroma

If the cat's mouth smells like urine , then it is necessary to exclude a life-threatening animal. The development of uremia against the background of kidney failure leads to the smell of urine from the animal's mouth and wool. Having found a symptom, the animal should be urgently shown to a veterinarian.

Why does a cat's mouth stink

The cat's mouth may stink of garbage due to the condition of the teeth. With tartar, caries, a large amount of pathogenic microflora accumulates in the oral cavity, which actively multiplies on food debris. The inflammatory process is accompanied by the appearance of a stench in a cat.

What Causes Your Cat's Mouth to Smell of Ammonia and Sweet Aromas

Having discovered that the cat smells of ammonia from the mouth, the owner should be aware that problems with the kidneys and liver can be the cause of this phenomenon. With renal failure, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, primary urine filtration is disturbed, and nitrogen metabolism products enter the blood.

A) normal kidney; B) the initial stage of polycystic kidney disease with minimal changes in the parenchyma in the form of small cavities; C) the final stage of PKP, when the parenchyma is completely replaced by cystic cavities

The cat's smell may change due to the presence of a neoplasm. Tumors, especially of a malignant nature, are characterized by a change in metabolism, the entry of toxins and tissue decay products into the bloodstream. These processes are often accompanied by halitosis in animals.

In some cases, diseases of the respiratory system - pharyngitis - can also be accompanied by bad breath as a result of the inflammatory process.

What causes cat mouth to drip and stink

Often, a cat's mouth flows and stinks with inflammation or swelling of the salivary glands. Increased salivation, along with stench, often accompanies pathologies such as periodontal disease, pulpitis. If a symptom is detected, the owner should inspect the cat's mouth for foreign objects.

Cat has pus coming out of his mouth

In addition to stomatitis and gingivitis, the cause of the smell and the fact that the cat has pus flowing from the mouth a, is often an abscess. Inflammation occurs, as a rule, when the mucous membrane is injured by solid objects, dry food, caries. Due to the inflammatory reaction, not only a putrid odor is observed, but also a purulent discharge from the mouth during spontaneous opening of the abscess.

periodontal disease

Cat has brown discharge from mouth

There may be several reasons why a cat has brown discharge from its mouth:

• it is necessary to exclude injuries of the oral mucosa - a broken tooth, damage with sharp objects lead to bleeding, which is accompanied by brown discharge;
• often ulceration of the oral mucosa occurs with such a serious disease as calcivirosis, while the virus settles in the pet's mouth and leads to the development of ulcerative stomatitis, accompanied by putrid odor from the mouth and brown discharge.

Worms in a cat: will there be stink from the mouth

According to experienced breeders, worms in cats can lead to halitosis. Helminths as a result of their vital activity release toxic substances into the blood. In addition, under the influence of worms, the digestion of food is disturbed, fermentation and putrefactive processes develop, which aggravates the situation. In addition to halitosis, when an animal is infected with worms, the pet has diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dull hair, and loss of appetite.

Additional symptoms for a visit to the veterinarian

Often, halitosis is not the only symptom that worries the owner. Animals may lose their appetite. Often this phenomenon is associated with discomfort when eating, especially if it is rough. A pet can approach a bowl of food, try to take food into the mouth in the presence of ulcers, stomatitis, periodontal disease, advanced caries and pulpitis.

If, in addition to stench from the mouth, there are problems with digestion (,), then we can talk about diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Increased thirst, a change in the animal's weight (obesity or emaciation), lethargy, apathy of the animal, along with the smell of acetone from the mouth, may indicate diabetes mellitus.

The animal may also experience frequent urination, pain when going to the toilet, which may indicate diseases of the excretory system.

Posture of a cat when urinating in diseases of the urinary system

An increase in temperature, fever, along with bad breath, can be the cause of an infectious disease, such as calcivirosis, or signal inflammatory diseases of the kidneys.

Getting rid of bad odor

Finding out that a pet has bad breath, what to do to solve the problem is an important question for every owner. You should not self-medicate. The best thing an owner can do is take the animal to a veterinary clinic. The specialist will carefully examine the cat's mouth for ulcers, foreign bodies, caries, etc.

If necessary, he will make an injection of a sedative drug and clean the teeth of tartar with ultrasound. This manipulation will help eliminate bad breath, if its cause is the formation of tartar.

If the cause of halitosis is an incorrect change of milk teeth, then they are removed for a young cat, providing a place for the growth of permanent ones.

If the doctor suspects a more serious pathology in the oral cavity (periodontal disease, pulpitis) or a disease of the salivary glands, then an X-ray examination may be prescribed.

If systemic diseases are suspected, the specialist will prescribe a general and biochemical analysis of blood and urine. In the event that diseases of the internal organs are the cause of halitosis, then after establishing the final diagnosis, the specialist will prescribe treatment for the pet depending on the disease.

The owner must understand that if the pet smells bad from the mouth, the stench should not be masked with special chewing gum, sprays, or pet treats. It must be understood that such a symptom is not harmless and is most often associated with health problems.

The cat has bad breath: what to do on your own

If the cat has bad breath, the pet needs to have a hygienic teeth cleaning first. The procedure is performed using a special toothpaste for animals and a small brush. You can clean your teeth from soft and small deposits with a finger wrapped in gauze. Regular oral care will help to avoid many dental problems, including reducing bad breath from the animal.

However, if the cause of halitosis is a disease, then it will not be possible to get rid of the problem on your own.

How to treat an unpleasant smell, the doctor will say

Treatment for bad breath in a cat depends on the cause of the symptom:

Long-term treatment will require such causes of bad breath in an animal as gastritis, stomach ulcers, kidney and liver diseases, and diabetes mellitus.

With a neoplasm in the area of ​​​​the salivary glands, treatment is possible only surgically.

Cat mouth odor remedies

The most commonly used remedies for bad breath in cats are:

• special gels and pastes for hygienic cleaning of teeth will help to reduce the unpleasant phenomenon;
• easy-to-use Cliny animal dentifrice or spray;
• for capricious pets, Dental Powder or Fresh Breath Tablets are suitable.

Specially developed oral care products for four-legged friends do not cause allergies. They contain algae extracts that neutralize bad breath.

A good effect is provided by disinfectants - a solution of Chlorhexidine, a decoction of chamomile and horsetail. Regular hygienic care of the pet's oral cavity will not only reduce the stench, but also keep the teeth healthy.

The smell from the mouth of a kitten: what to do

The reason for the unpleasant smell in kittens is most often a slowdown in the change of teeth or an incorrect bite. A veterinarian can correct the problem by removing milk teeth.

Prevention of the development of pathology

It is not difficult to prevent halitosis associated with the condition of the teeth of a pet. To do this, you must follow the following recommendations:

The owner should understand that if the pet stinks from the mouth, then such a phenomenon cannot be left to chance. The stench from the mouth of a cat is most often a symptom of a disease. In young animals, halitosis can be caused by a delay in the change of teeth, malocclusion. The putrid smell is caused, as a rule, by dental problems, diseases of the stomach.

With diabetes, the owner may notice the smell of acetone from the cat's mouth. Kidney pathology is often accompanied by an ammonia stench. Treatment of the problem depends on the underlying cause and should be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Regular hygienic cleaning at home, professional cleaning in the clinic will not only prevent bad breath, but also help maintain healthy teeth.

Useful video

Watch this video on how to brush your cat's teeth:

Cat owners should understand that the oral cavity of pets is arranged a little differently than in humans. And unlike a person who observes daily oral hygiene, an animal is deprived of this opportunity. Normally, a neutral odor should come from the pet's mouth, which intensifies after eating a particular food. However, the appearance of a sharp bad breath in a cat indicates a serious imbalance in the body.

Causes of bad breath

If your cat has bad breath, a visit to the veterinarian is ideal. In medical terminology, this phenomenon is called halitosis., which implies not only infections in the oral cavity, but also pathologies of internal organs. Causes of a strong smell from the mouth may vary depending on the age group of the animal.

young animals

• untimely loss of milk teeth;
• malocclusion;
• gaps in the teeth;
• trauma in the oral cavity as a result of games;
• the ingress of a foreign body or food that gets stuck between the teeth and creates fertile ground for the development of pathogenic bacteria.

middle aged animals

In an adult cat, the cause of the smell can be a gastrointestinal disease.

Cats from 1 year to 9 years old are classified as average age. Common causes of fetid odor during this period of life are:

• Tartar, which causes the gums to move away from the tooth. As a result of this, a certain gap is formed, into which the remnants of food are clogged. They begin to rot and exude a putrid odor. If the problem is not addressed in time, the animal may lose a tooth.
• Dental plaque, stomatitis and.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, lungs.
• Respiratory tract infections (rhinotracheitis, bronchitis, etc.) and dermatological infections.
• Various injuries leading to inflammation of the gums.
• Improper nutrition: overfeeding with soft food, eating from the table, excess protein components in the feed.

Animals of old age

• existing neoplasms;
• diseases of internal organs, including indigestion;

What can smell tell

The smell can also appear in an animal with healthy teeth.

By the nature of the smell, the owner can independently determine the alleged causes of its occurrence:

If you notice some symptoms, you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian. Among them:

• tartar, dark plaque, red and inflamed gums, swelling of the oral cavity;

Attention. A large amount of brown tartar in a cat, accompanied by feeding difficulties, excessive salivation and bad breath, can signal serious dental problems.

• yellowing of the gums and corneas of the eyes;
• the cat scratches the mouth and perioral area with its paws;
• the cat does not eat, while there is bad breath and occasional vomiting;
• the pet chews with care, eats more slowly than usual, chews on one side; rubs one side of the muzzle on the furniture, keeps his head tilted;
• the animal screams sharply, does not close its mouth, drools and does not allow itself to be stroked on the head.

Getting rid of bad odor

Treatment of the disease that caused halitosis will eliminate the unpleasant odor.

Before helping the animal get rid of bad breath, the veterinarian will conduct diagnostic measures to identify the cause of the disease. Often the animal is sedated with drugs, and in some cases it is necessary to resort to general anesthesia.

Important. It is very important to monitor the hygienic condition of the cat's oral cavity. From early childhood, a kitten should be taught to regularly brush their teeth, as well as treat wounds and sores on the tongue and the inner mucous surface of the cheeks with special antiseptic solutions (for example, Chlorhexidine).

In advanced cases, when caries, periodontitis or tumors are added to the usual plaque, one cannot do without the help of a qualified veterinarian. Under anesthesia, the doctor will remove significantly overgrown tartar, cure caries and perform other necessary medical procedures. At the end of therapeutic measures, there will be no trace of a stinking smell.

Prevention of the development of pathology

Brushing your cat's teeth helps prevent gum disease.

You can prevent bad breath from your pet by adhering to certain rules of care:

The video discusses the main causes of an unpleasant smell from the mouth of a cat:

The cat is clean. She constantly licks herself, but the unpleasant smell from the cat indicates an anomaly. This cannot be tolerated. It is necessary to find out the cause and prevent the further development of the pathological process.

Nature took care of the cat hunter and provided for the absence of smell. "Washing" a cat is of great importance. The saliva of the animal contains lysozyme. This is an enzyme that, when it gets on microorganisms, immediately destroys their membranes.

The smell of flesh is the smell of microorganisms. It is they who, multiplying, betray their presence. The higher the population, the stronger the smell comes from the breeding site of the microbe. Destroying the microflora on itself, the cat normalizes it and prevents reproduction.

The cat washes frequently, because the enzyme is not very stable. When in contact with air, it quickly collapses and must be applied again and again. If the cat feels good, she will not be lazy. Constant washing is a guarantee of the absence of smell.

Sources of bad smell from a cat and their prevention

An unpleasant-smelling animal cannot cause disgust, this should alert. Pathologies in the body can happen at any time. Timely clarification of the cause of the smell and the provision of assistance will help to quickly deal with the problem.

The smell of wool and leather

Pathological processes on the skin of an animal may not be visible due to the presence of wool. In this case, the smell, gives the problem.

To establish the location of the localization, you need to examine the animal. It is enough to palpate. Starting from the head with your fingers, fingering the skin of the cat, you need to move towards the tail. If irregularities are detected during probing, they should be examined by pushing the hairline apart. In case of pain, the animal will give out the place of pathology by its reaction to pain.

On examination, you can find:

• papules (nodules);
• pustules (pustules);
• vesicles (air bubbles);
• (limited purulent inflammation);
• (not limited purulent inflammation);
• scabs (crusts of dried tissues and purulent masses);
• scales (dry dead tissue).

As a rule, in the initial stages, in the process of maturation, there may be no smell. It appears when the tissues are lysed and the purulent masses go beyond the process itself.

Read also: Brewer's yeast for cats: pros and cons

Unpleasant odor from mouth

Cats are carnivores. In nature, their food is meat and fish. Man, in order to reduce the cost of the diet and alleviate his fate, tries in every possible way to alter nature. The content of cats on dry food, which is based on cereals, disrupts the acid-base balance in the body. As a result, the conditionally pathogenic microflora begins to turn into pathogenic, causing dysbacteriosis. This may be one of the reasons for the unpleasant smell from the mouth of the animal.

To identify a possible cause, you need to examine the oral cavity. Pathology can tell:

• condition of the teeth (, inflammatory processes);
• gums ( , );
• mucous membrane of the cavity ().

Aging, the body loses its immune functions, the liver is no longer able to perform its barrier function in full, and this affects the state of the whole organism. The unpleasant smell from the mouth of an old cat is the smell of old age.

Strong smell of urine

Urine has its own specific smell. Normally, it does not appear. If the owner feels it, this may indicate:

• improper feeding (this is again associated with a violation of acid-base balance);
• kidney pathology;
• violations in the work of the bladder, ureters, urinary tract.

In any case, an urgent consultation with a doctor and examination of the animal is necessary.

Odor from ears

The inner surface of the auricles is inaccessible for cleansing by the cat itself. Therefore, the owner must keep cleanliness. If this does not happen, then over time dust and natural secretions accumulate in them. Together, this is a breeding ground for microorganisms, and they emit a smell.

Microbes multiply vigorously and can cause not only smell, but also cause serious pathology.

The reason for the smell may be. In this case, you can see crusts, expiration, murkiness in and around the ear. The ear will "itch". If the process is left to chance, it will lead to (otitis media) and hearing loss.

Smell from under the tail

If the animal has diarrhea, or alternates with, then this is the reason. The cat simply does not have time to "serve" itself.

Other pathologies are also possible. If the smell is associated with estrus or during prenatal or lochia (postpartum discharge), then special attention should be paid to this. During this period, there should not be a particularly intense smell. Any smells speak of the reproduction of microflora and the pathological, purulent process in the genital and birth canals.

Read also: How to feed a Siamese kitten: menu by age

In older cats, inflammation of the anal glands is common. Normally, they are released on their own into the lumen of the rectum. With age, the work of the muscle sphincter weakens, which slows down the evacuation of the secret. Against this background, purulent inflammatory processes are possible.

Nose odor

The cause of the smell from the nasal cavity can be:

• rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal cavity);
• sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses);
• and (other features may join later).

Whatever the reason, a visit to the doctor is necessary.

Hygiene rules for cats

A healthy cat takes care of itself. She spends a third of the day on this. However, the owner is also obliged to take part in this.

Cat hygiene consists of caring for:

• skin and hairline. This includes bathing, combing with simultaneous examination and palpation of the skin. To do this, you can use special shampoos and foams, combs and mittens-combs. (For long-haired, a set of different combs is needed). follows 2 times a month, hairless breeds that sweat profusely in summer - daily. If the animal is unwell, bathing is not used. You need to comb out 2 times a week (during the molting period daily);

• . They should be cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in warm water or zoo lotion. With smooth movements, turning the swab clockwise, you can easily clean the cat's ears. If the accumulation of dirt is large, dry and old, then a few drops of lotion, sunflower oil or water can be dropped into the cavity. The animal will shake out the excess, and what remains will soak the crusts. Next, you can apply a cotton swab. Hygienic procedure is carried out once a week;

• . Removal of stones and plaque should be carried out by a specialist in the clinic. For prevention, the cat should be given solid food, allowed to gnaw soft bones and cartilage.

Healthy feeding rules

The cat is a carnivore. should be feed of animal origin:

• meat;
• fish;
• eggs;
• dairy.

Practice shows that constant feeding with dry food, even the most "promoted" brands, does not add health. There are no centenarians among such "eaters". A person does not yet know how to accurately select an animal’s diet so that it is balanced according to:

• natural proteins;
• carbohydrates;
• fats;
• minerals;
• vitamins.

Cat breath odor is a critical health indicator that should not be overlooked. Normally, the oral cavity of animals does not have any odors, while the presence of stench is the result of a certain imbalance in the pet's body. The reasons can lie both in the wrong diet, and in more global disorders in the functioning of organs. There is no universal way to get rid of a pungent odor, therefore it is first necessary to go through all the tests with the cat that the veterinarian will prescribe. The outcome of further treatment will depend on them. About what are the causes of bad breath and what varieties it has, read on.

Veterinarians have a special term for cat (and other pet) breath odor that sounds like halitosis. It should be noted right away that this term refers only to cases where bad breath hides any pathology that threatens the health of the animal and requires treatment.

Halitosis is common in cats of all ages, but is generally less common in younger cats. In older cats, in most cases, a specific pungent odor from the mouth is due to disturbances in the functioning of internal organs or problems with dental health and oral hygiene. With age, the amount of dental deposits only increases, becoming an additional incentive for the reproduction of pathogenic flora, which contributes to the spread of a strange smell.

Causes of bad breath in cats

In simple terms, both beneficial and harmful microflora can be found in the oral cavity of an animal. The appearance of bad breath indicates that at the moment it is the second variant of the microflora that dominates.

If we consider the causes superficially, we can see that most of them can be divided into two large groups:

• pathologies affecting internal organs;
• pathologies localized in the oral cavity.

The exception is brachycephalic breeds, which are generally predisposed to the development of halitosis due to the specific structure of the skull. In such breeds, a similar smell may be present without visible pathologies.

Pathologies of the oral cavity

The most common pathologies of the oral cavity, which become the culprits of halitosis, include:

• Pharyngitis;
• Stomatitis;
• Glossitis;
• Gingivitis;
• Tartar;
• Malocclusion.

Each of these ailments will be discussed in the following chapters.

Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx of an animal, which can manifest itself in both acute and chronic forms. Pharyngitis develops due to the active reproduction of pathogenic microflora, which can be provoked by the ingress of foreign objects into the animal's mouth or even too hot or cold food. Sometimes pharyngitis is recognized precisely by an unpleasant odor, since its other manifestations are not obvious and can be overlooked even by an attentive owner.

Stomatitis

With stomatitis, the gums of a cat become inflamed, and with them the palate, tongue, and even parts of the cheeks. An unpleasant odor accompanies the course of stomatitis, regardless of what type it belongs to. The most dangerous and fetid are ulcerative and gangrenous types of stomatitis. With gangrenous stomatitis, the smell from the animal's mouth is associated with the smell of a decaying corpse and cannot be confused with anything else. In addition to bad breath, stomatitis can be recognized by the following signs:

• profuse salivation
• redness and swelling of mucous membranes
• the appearance of plaque on the tongue, cheeks, palate, etc.

Glossitis

Glossitis involves inflammation of the tongue, the cause of which can be both the entry of pathogenic bacteria into the oral cavity and the infection of the animal with a virus. To provoke inflammation of the tongue can, including tartar. The symptomatology of glossitis is in many ways similar to that in the case of stomatitis - an unnaturally large amount of saliva, redness and swelling of the tongue, as well as some parts of the oral cavity. It becomes painful for the animal to swallow, in connection with which he may experience a loss of interest in food.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis, like pharyngitis, is accompanied by inflammation of the gums, but unlike pharyngitis, gingivitis is more localized. For example, the gums can become inflamed only in one or several teeth. The danger of gingivitis is that it progresses rapidly, capturing the bones that hold the teeth and leading to periodontal disease, which is much more difficult to cure. The disease is recognized precisely by an unpleasant odor, since a rare owner periodically looks into the animal's mouth to monitor the condition of the gums.

Tartar

The stones that appear as a result of the accumulation of dental deposits are not a disease as such, but they can lead to quite serious consequences. The formation of stones is characteristic of all breeds, without exception, only preventive cleaning of dental deposits at the veterinarian or constant cleaning of the animal’s teeth at home, which will not allow the situation to start, can save them.

To suspect the formation of tartar in a cat can be in the presence of the following manifestations:

• bleeding and inflammation of the gums;
• profuse salivation (not in all cases);
• bad breath;
• attempts by the animal to scratch the jaw due to itching in the gum area;
• tooth loss, characteristic of the advanced stage.

"Mature" tartar, especially supragingival variants, are visible to the naked eye.

Malocclusion

Malocclusion manifests itself even in kittens, becoming the main cause of halitosis at such an early age. Most often, kittens have an undershot bite, in which the lower jaw protrudes a little further than the upper jaw, making the pet's chin seem more expressive (which is a plus in some breeds). Less often, kittens suffer from undershot bite, in which the upper jaw already dominates, and the lower jaw develops more slowly. Often malocclusion goes away on its own when changing milk teeth.

Other reasons

In addition to the indicated diseases, bad breath leads to:

• benign and malignant tumors;
• cysts;
• other neoplasms in the oral cavity.

Various caries, pulpitis and periodontitis can also be accompanied by bad breath, but in fewer cases. As a rule, diseases of the teeth of cats and dogs do not have pronounced symptoms. Also, in rare cases, halitosis accompanies the change of milk teeth in kittens.

Pathologies of internal organs

Sometimes animals with halitosis do not find any ailments associated with the oral cavity, which could give a similar effect. In this case, the causes of the repulsive smell begin to look deeper, moving to the body of the animal.

Diabetes

This pathology is a serious disease that appears as a result of malfunctions in the endocrine system. Diabetes can lead to damage to a variety of organs - from the muscles of the limbs to the eyes, as well as contribute to the development of cystitis due to an enlarged liver. In diabetes mellitus, the smell from the mouth has a specific taste of acetone, which is characteristic of this particular pathology.

Despite the fact that the symptoms of diabetes can vary significantly among themselves, there are several main manifestations:

• constant need for water and frequent urination;
• increased appetite, not accompanied by weight gain;
• general depression;
• deterioration in wool quality.

kidney failure

In most cases, the appearance of kidney failure is a complete surprise for the owner of the animal. Both the wrong diet and a single hypothermia or an infection that has entered the pet's body can contribute to this disease. Unfortunately, the initial signs of kidney failure often go unnoticed, and the disease becomes apparent at a fairly advanced stage.

Most of the symptoms of kidney failure are non-specific and may refer to several possible diagnoses at once. These manifestations include:

• constant need for water against the background of frequent urination;
• causeless pet weight loss;
• bouts of vomiting;
• unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• hair loss.

Helminthiasis

The following painful manifestations indicate helminthiasis:

• perversion of appetite (appearance of interest in inedible objects, up to one's own bowel movements);
• increased appetite, not accompanied by weight gain (sometimes there is also a lack of appetite due to nausea);
• bloating;
• alternating diarrhea and constipation;
• periodic bouts of vomiting;
• signs of intestinal obstruction that appear in the later stages of the disease.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and intestines

The group of these diseases includes a large number of diseases from chronic constipation to enteritis and all kinds of malignant tumors. The most dangerous diseases that threaten the life of an animal are intestinal obstruction, coronavirus enteritis and stomach ulcers. Any disease, one way or another related to digestion, can lead to bad breath, reeking of rot.

For diseases related to the digestive tract, some of the following symptoms are characteristic:

• difficulty in defecation;
• pain in the abdomen and aggression when the owner tries to probe the corresponding area;
• weight loss;
• nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea / diarrhoea;
• lack of interest in food.

Video - Why does a cat smell from the mouth?

Types of bad breath

Establishing the causes of the appearance of halitosis is largely facilitated by determining the type of unpleasant odor emanating from the oral cavity. Of course, the nature of the smell cannot unambiguously make the correct diagnosis, but its specificity will allow you to direct the veterinarian on the right path.

Treatment for bad breath

Since bad breath is not an independent disease, but one of the symptoms of a more global disease, any treatment must begin with a thorough diagnosis of the animal. Only after the pathology is detected, the cat is given adequate treatment. When it comes to serious chronic diseases such as kidney failure or diabetes, then a permanent treatment regimen will be developed for the animal, which will need to be strictly adhered to in order to avoid relapses.

The most important thing in getting rid of an unpleasant smell is to find its real source.

If problems with the oral cavity are detected, the cat is sent to the dentist, who performs cleaning (mechanical or ultrasonic) in case of stones, or treats teeth in the presence of caries or pulpitis. Pharyngitis, stomatitis, gingivitis and other inflammatory diseases suggest taking antibiotics, which alleviate the symptoms and lead to their disappearance.

More details about you can learn from a separate article on our portal.

How to get rid of bad breath

It also happens that a cat has bad breath in the absence of any disease. The reason for this phenomenon is a certain food (for example, canned fish). Halitosis caused by a specific food is not permanent and disappears fairly quickly with a change in food.

However, if this sharp “aroma” greatly interferes with the owner of the pet, he can use means that illuminate the breath, which are designed specifically for animals. Some of these products will be listed in the table below.

Table 2. Remedies for halitosis

Means	Description	Price
	This tool achieves the effect due to the presence of chlorophyll in the composition, which neutralizes pungent odors. Chlorophyll also contributes to the disinfection of the oral mucosa, preventing the growth of bacteria. It is most convenient to give the tablets with food twice a day.	490 rubles
	A powder containing crushed algae, which help to neutralize any unpleasant odors. Thanks to natural ingredients, the product is suitable even for pets with allergies. Cats require no more than half a scoop of the substance per day.	620 rubles
	The tool not only eliminates an unpleasant smell, but also removes its causes, removing accumulated plaque from the teeth. Great for preventing tartar formation. Components such as silver ions and chlorine dioxide contribute to the destruction of deposits. Kittens can be taught to this liquid from an early age, since it is not dangerous for the gastrointestinal tract. To use the product, it is mixed with water in a drinking bowl.	260 rubles
	The spray allows you to achieve the fastest effect, because it immediately settles in the oral cavity of the animal. However, this effect also passes quickly, which makes it necessary to use the spray can often. Like the oral fluid from the same manufacturer, the spray dissolves plaque and prevents tartar build-up. Safe for cats of all ages	170 rubles

It should be noted that the owners of cats rarely turn to the means of illuminating the breath. The exception is animals intended for exhibitions, which are brought into proper form before the presentation. In domestic conditions, the use of such products is ineffective and uneconomical. In addition, some of these sprays can cause allergies in cats. As for anti-calculus agents, they can be replaced with a brush and paste for cats, which are in no way inferior in their effectiveness.

Preventive measures

Since bad breath is very rare in healthy animals, the only way to prevent it is by taking good care of your cat. Some of the steps you can take to keep your pet in good health include:

• regular trips with the pet to the veterinarian. Many diseases can be completely unobvious, only a specialist can detect their presence. Taking the animal to the doctor only when the owner sees obvious deviations from the norm is not enough;

  

• prophylactic teeth cleaning. Regular brushing of your cat's teeth can help prevent most oral diseases. It is advisable to accustom her to this procedure almost from infancy in order to meet less resistance in the future. For such purposes, there are special kits for cleaning the teeth of animals, which can be bought at veterinary pharmacies;
• control of the cat's diet. As already mentioned, proper nutrition can protect the cat not only from halitosis, but also from various digestive problems. When developing a diet, it is important to take into account the age, physiological state of the animal, as well as its breed;

  

All cats, a kitten or a cat, may develop a not very pleasant smell in the mouth, which indicates the presence of a particular problem. The article discusses in detail all the possible causes of this phenomenon and how to deal with an unpleasant mouth odor.

Only effective ways to solve the problem are presented, including a thematic video that presents a solution to this problem from the point of view of a veterinarian, as well as popular ways to eliminate such a common problem that cats of any breed can have.

Bad breath in a cat causes, symptoms

Veterinarians primarily associate the unpleasant smell from the cat's mouth with malnutrition, which actually causes malfunctions in the internal organs.

So the smell of acetone from the mouth of an animal against the background of increased water consumption is a sign of diabetes, ammonia is caused by problems with the kidneys. Sometimes the appearance of a bad smell is associated with inflammation of the gums or poor condition of the teeth. In general, it will be better if the final verdict is made by experts.

What causes a cat to have bad breath

The bad smell emanating from the mouth of the animal most likely indicates inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. In young animals, the smell may appear during the change of teeth, when food debris accumulates between new and old teeth that have not fallen out.

In more mature individuals, the appearance of a smell is usually associated with diseases of the internal organs. Only a specialist can give an exact answer about the cause of bad breath from a cat's mouth.

The cat has bad breath what to do, treatment, how to remove

To remove the smell from the mouth of a cat, you can find out and eliminate its root cause, and it is almost impossible to do this without contacting a veterinarian. If the unpleasant smell from the mouth of the animal is caused by plaque, then the cat needs to brush its teeth. The necessary accessories for this can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy.

For preventive purposes, mustachioed pets should periodically be given specialized food designed to reduce plaque (adherents of natural nutrition can replace dry food with raw chicken necks or wings). Solid fractions of food clean the teeth from plaque and prevent the formation of tartar.

The cat is drooling and stinks from the mouth

These symptoms in most cases are. The appearance of an unpleasant odor is caused by inflammation of the oral mucosa. The cause of bad smell and salivation can also be viral infections and the ingress of a foreign body into the mouth of the animal. A more insidious diagnosis is not ruled out - renal failure.

Cat's teeth are falling out and bad breath

Persian and Abyssinian breeders should be aware that their wards are genetically prone to caries, stomatitis and tooth loss. However, this is not an excuse for a cat losing teeth.

The reason for the fact that a cat's teeth fall out and an unpleasant smell comes out of the mouth is the owner of the animal, who failed to find a balanced diet for his pet and does not follow the hygiene of the animal's mouth.

A preventive measure and a reason for a visit to the veterinarian should be:
- the smell of rot coming from the mouth of the animal;
- swelling of the gums, their hanging over the teeth;
- incessant salivation;
- loss of appetite or refusal to eat due to toothache.
A timely appeal to a specialist will allow your pet to keep the snow-white smile of the Cheshire cat.

The smell of acetone from the mouth in cats

The appearance of the smell of acetone from the mouth of a cat is usually caused by diabetes. The animal's body does not absorb carbohydrates and switches to fat metabolism, which is characterized by the formation of keto bodies, which give the cat's breath an acetone smell.

Why do cats smell rotten from the mouth, putrid smell

A putrid smell from the cat's mouth indicates problems with digestion and the likely presence of worms. You should adjust the diet and give anthelmintic drugs.

Cat mouth odor remedy

If the cat’s behavior is not a cause for concern, and the smell from her mouth contains the aromas of the food she has eaten (which is also not very pleasant for humans), buy any odor-eliminating agent at the pet store that manufacturers recommend adding to drinking water for the animal. The smell will disappear.