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Curing Bad Cat Breath

Cat owners know for a fact that bad cat breath can be downright awful.  It isn't that much different from bad human breath, as both are caused by bacteria found in the mouth that breaks protein down and releases the sulphur compounds out into the air.  Sulphur smells really bad on its own, which is why breath containing it smells bad as well.  The bacterium that causes bad breath with cats is normally associated with a build up of tartar around the teeth.  Tartar is yellow in colour, known as a coating of bacteria, food, and minerals.

To cure your cat from bad breath, you'll need to remove the build up of tartar.  There are several cat foods out there that are designed to reduce the build up of tartar, many containing enzymes that will literally dissolve it.  You can also give your cat treats, as many of them will help eliminate and prevent tartar.  If the build up of tartar is bad, you may need to have your cat's teeth professionally cleaned.  Once the tartar has been removed, the bad breath will go away.

You may be able to clean the tartar off your cat's teeth at home.  There are several toothpastes available for pets, available in several different flavours.  You'll need to get a mechanical toothbrush, as the motion is very important for removing tartar build up.  Toothpastes that contain enzymes will dissolve tartar, helping to cure bad breath.  If you start early with brushing your cat's teeth, you can virtually eliminate any type of tartar build up that will ultimately lead to bad breath.

Some bacteria that lead to tartar can be found in your cat's diet.  When you feed him, you should always make sure that the food he consumes doesn't contain a lot of bacteria.  If you shop healthy and feed him only healthy foods, it can help his bad breath a great deal.  When you give your pet a treat, make sure that the treat is designed to help with tartar.  After your cat has finished eating, you can brush his teeth or rinse his mouth out.  This way, you'll get the bacteria out of his mouth before it has time to build up on his teeth.

Sometimes, cats may have a bad odour in their mouth that doesn't come from tartar or bad breath in general.  In these rare cases, it can be either liver or kidney disease.  If you notice bad breath and it isn't tartar, you should take your cat to the vet.  Even though it may be something to do with tartar, it's better to be safe than sorry.  Your veterinarian can pinpoint the problem, let you know what the cause is - and how you should go about fixing it.

Disclaimer:  This article is supplied for informative purposes only. Seapets Ltd has done its very best to make sure that the above information is up-to-date and correct, but takes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the following of this advice. As always, it is recommended that you consult with your local vet regarding any concerns that you may have for your pet.

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