Why dose my 11 year old cat's breath smell so badly?

Question

Felicity my persian cat is a really beautiful and very much loved cat but her breath is nasty. Her teeth are fine as I have taken her to the vet. The vet thinks it is to do with fur balls but nothing wrong there as she coughed up a fur ball the other day? Could there be somthing really wrong with her? Anyone have and experiance with cats? If so please help. Thank you.

Answer 1

It shouldn't be a major problem - how long has she been like this....

This should help you - if you are unsure go to a different vet for another opinion.

Cats normally have a bit of odor to the breath because as carnivores, their food releases some molecules in their breath. Particularly if they eat fish-based food!

If the breath is more than just the usual kitty version of “cat breath” and approaches “bear breath”, you need to stop ignoring it and talk with your veterinarian!

Bad breath can have a number of sources, and most of these are treatable. Left unattended, the source of the problem may progress unchecked, and if it gets advanced, it may not matter what science offers, Kitty will not then just have bad breath, but may be in the throes of some chronic disease.

Common breath killers include:

Kidney disease : Slowly progressive kidney disease often leads to ulceration of the mouth membranes. This allows infectious organisms to set up in the mouth and produce nasty odor. This is not a condition to be left untreated. Though it is not a curable one, we can slow progression, and help to keep the cat comfortable by treating the kidney malfunction and its associated complications include oral ulceration. An acidic smell may also be present if advanced kidney disease is present.

Diabetes : High levels of sugar weaken the cat’s immune system and allow colonization of tissues that normally resist infection. Poor dental health, and acetone breath which occurs if the cat develops ketoacidosis complication can lead to truly scary breath. The breath is only the tip of the iceburg though, and these cats need professional care to stop the destructive cycle of diabetes right away.

Dental and oral cavity disease : Cats spend a lot of time using their mouth! Grooming takes about a third of their waking hours alone. Eating, drinking and hunting may also take up a little bit of time—or a bit more. Diet, genetic constitution for tooth and oral cavity health, and general care (tooth brushing, professional cleaning) can affect the cat’s propensity to problems in this department.

Gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontal disease, and advanced periodontitis may all affect normal breath. Tooth infections or loss, cat cavities (feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions), and spread of bacteria via the bloodstream to distant sites may affect the general cat health as well as cause bad breath, pain, appetite loss, and hiding. An annual evaluation by your veterinarian and prophylactic cleaning (scaling just like your dentist does!) will help to control infections of the gums and control tartar.

Cancers of the mouth, or lodged foreign material may also lead to bad odors.

Cats with nausea from kidney disease or from local mouth irritation may also drool a lot, and fuss when eating, perhaps throwing the food out the side of the mouth or showing exaggerated chewing motions with the head. They may also resist being petted along the whisker pad area near the sore teeth.

The bottom line is that the presence of bad breath is often more than just a simple nuisance! If you smell abnormal smells, get it checked out! Apart from fish diets, the cat breath should not deeply offend….

Answer 2

Cat bad breath is not so different from human bad breath: it tends to be caused by the activities of bacteria in the mouth that break down proteins and release sulfur compounds into the air. Sulfur smells bad, so breath that contains sulfur compounds smells bad also. In cats, the bacteria that cause the problem tend to be associated with a buildup of tartar on the teeth. Tartar is a coating composed of food particles, bacteria, and minerals.

To cure cat bad breath, it's helpful to try to remove the tartar that has built up on the cat's teeth. Some pet foods are formulated to help reduce tartar by producing mechanical friction that scrapes tartar off, or by including an enzyme that helps to dissolve it. Pet treats are also commonly marketed as tartar fighters in one way or another. If the buildup of tartar on the cat's teeth is extensive, it might be necessary to pay to have a professional cleaning. When the tartar is removed, the cat's breath should improve.

Keep in mind that, like people, cats sometimes have an odor in the mouth that is not coming from the mouth: kidney and liver disease are two things that cause cat bad breath.

Answer 3

Greeanies are not a good decision. New tests have shown that dogs and cats actually bite them into small swallowable peices that just sit in their stomachs. No to Greenies. There are other breath freshening treats available.

And when cats and dogs get older their breath gets stinky. It could be their teeth, or just the age on the body. Maybe a dental cleaning?

Answer 4

The most common cause of bad breath is tartar buildup surrounding the teeth. (As in people), small particles off food remain in the mouth after eating. These particles decompose creating conditions where oral bacteria thrive. and form plaque which is a combination of bacteria, mineral and decomposed food. Plaque and associated oral infections give the pet’s breath an objectionable odour. Plaque also clings to the base of teeth causing the gums to become inflamed and recede. Inflamed gums leak blood serum with combines with and increase the amount of plaque. This plaque or calculus is visible as a hard yellowish coating on the outer base of the teeth.

In older pets, problems with kidneys and liver often affect the mouth. These pets are often thin and frail.
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tada.........yawn but hope it helps!!
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Answer 5

I wouldn't think twice about confronting my 11 year old if she came home with alcohol on her breath. Your need to find out where the parents were when the kids were drinking. Call the parents and tell them about your daughter and ask them where they were an how did this happen. This isn't the time to be timid you have a duty to your daughter to keep her safe.

Answer 6

Many common natural remedies are claimed to have blood sugar lowering properties that make them useful for people with or at high risk of diabetes. Learn here https://tr.im/mO93k

A number of clinical studies have been carried out in recent years that show potential links between herbal therapies and improved blood glucose control, which has led to an increase in people with diabetes using these more 'natural' ingredients to help manage their condition.

Answer 7

its worth asking the vet if digestive problems could be causing this. and if your vet isn't helpful then talk to and anmial center or a differnt vet

but my mothers cat had this problem for a long time after the vet said he was fine. we offered him garlic tea (one clove, half cup, leave until cool) and it cleared up after a couple of days givign him that stuff. he loved it, went for it in the cup while it was still cooling on the side.

Answer 8

Stomach problems or sinus problems, relating to the immune system, those are symptomized by bad breath. Kitty has to go to the vet for a check up.

Answer 9

I would consider a second opinion. In my experience, furballs are not related to oral odor. Although dental disease is the most common cause of foul breath, systemic illness, such as kidney disease, can also be a cause. Was labwork (blood and urine) done? If not, consider seeing another vet, preferably feline only.

Answer 10

i have had many cats and currently own two right now
its probably not serious. it could be the food you feed her, it may be making her breath smell bad
go to your local pet store you can buy cat breathmints and they help A LOT! my cats have smelly breath too and just feed the mints to them like treats and it clears up their breath
or just ask your vet again if it is truly bothering you