| Does your cat suffer from bad breath (also | | | | strategy provides only a short-term solution. To |
| known as 'feline halitosis')? If so, you know how | | | | prevent the problem from recurring, you will need |
| uncomfortable it can be when friends who visit | | | | to make some modifications to its diet. Your vet |
| are repelled by your cat's breath. Even more | | | | may suggest other approaches as well, such as |
| important than the social implications, however, is | | | | prescribing an antibacterial mouth spray to |
| the fact that feline halitosis can be an indication | | | | prevent the onset of gingivitis (gum disease). |
| that your cat may be suffering from some dental | | | | A more proactive approach would be to |
| or digestive disorders. | | | | periodically brush your cat's teeth. There are |
| Any changes in your cat's diet can create | | | | special toothpastes and brushes made for this |
| digestive problems for your cat, so this should be | | | | purpose, including electric tooth brushes, which are |
| the first consideration. If you've modified your | | | | the most effective in preventing the buildup of |
| cat's diet, a change back to its original dietary | | | | tartar. If possible, this would be a good habit to |
| regimen may resolve the problem. | | | | develop while your cat is still young. |
| If your cat's diet has not changed, the next step | | | | The best time to clean your cat's teeth is shortly, |
| would be to check inside your cat's mouth. Bad | | | | but not immediately, after a meal. Wait for about |
| breath is most often caused by the uncontrolled | | | | half an hour or so after the meal so that your cat |
| growth of bacteria in the mouth. This is true for | | | | does not associate mealtime with having its teeth |
| humans as well as for our canine and feline | | | | brushed. Such an association would create some |
| companions. When we chew our food, bacteria in | | | | anxiety around eating, and possibly cause it to not |
| the mouth break down the proteins in our food, | | | | eat properly or to develop digestive problems. |
| and this in turn causes sulfur and other chemicals | | | | If your cat's halitosis does not stem from either a |
| to be released into the air through our breath. | | | | change in diet or from a buildup of tartar and/or |
| Ordinarily, it's the smell of the sulfur that is so | | | | plaque on the teeth, then the problem may in fact |
| offensive. | | | | be much more deeply rooted. There may be a |
| So where does this excessive bacteria come | | | | more serious dental issue such as a tumor, an |
| from? It is generally the direct result of poor oral | | | | abscess, or other types of dental disease. Feline |
| hygiene, resulting in the growth of plaque and | | | | halitosis can also be a symptom of other |
| tartar on the teeth. This can be as much of a | | | | non-dental diseases, such as kidney or liver |
| problem for cats as it is for humans. | | | | disease, lung cancer, or feline leukemia. Your vet |
| When your cat's bad breath is rooted in its dental | | | | can help you make these determinations and |
| hygiene, look for those cat foods and special | | | | provide you with the best course of action. |
| treats that contain enzymes whose purpose is to | | | | Exhibiting bad breath is no more normal for a cat |
| prevent the buildup of tartar on your cat's teeth. | | | | than it is for a human, so it's imperative to take |
| You can also have your cat's teeth cleaned | | | | appropriate action if your cat suffers from this |
| professionally by your veterinarian, but this | | | | problem. |