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 sulfur compounds out into the air. Sulfur 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 buildup of tartar around the teeth. Tartar is yellow in color, known as a coating of bacteria, food, and minerals.

To cure your cat from bad breath, you’ll need to remove the buildup of tartar. There are several cat foods out there that are designed to reduce the buildup of tartar, many containing enzymes that will literally dissolve it. You can also give your cat treats as well, as many of them will help eliminate and prevent tartar. If the buildup 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 flavors. You’ll need to get a mechanical toothbrush, as the motion is very important for removing tartar buildup. 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 buildup 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 odor 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.

About the Author

Tristan Andrews writes useful articles about cats and kittens. Discover and explore the feline world. Find out how to better care for, train and live with your cat at http://www.i-love-cats.com

My kitten is 5 months old and just started having bad breath, and red gums,any thoughts?

It may have a gum disease, so take your cat to the vet right away before it gets out of control. ^ ^

Is Pet Dental Health Really Important?

Many veterinarians stress the importance of oral hygiene because tooth and gum problems are common medical conditions seen in pets. If left unchecked, an unhealthy mouth can affect the liver, kidneys, heart and even the brain.

So when you lean in to give your pet a smooch, ask yourself “Does my pet need a breath mint?” Studies show that 98% of pets with bad breath are suffering from severe plaque build up. Bad breath not only means that your pet’s mouth may be a warehouse for unhealthy bacteria, tartar and plaque, but it can also point to unhealthy intestines. In addition, the quality of your pet’s food can contribute to the status of your pet’s breath. Low quality food can cause digestive problems, thus promoting bad breath.

Can I Share My Toothpaste With My Pet? Absolutely not!

Pets aren’t like us: they swallow whatever you use to clean their teeth. Human toothpaste simply isn’t edible. Nor is the heavy minty flavor really desirable to pets. Human toothpaste can give your pet some serious stomach problems.

Did you know…?

Certain breeds of dogs and cats are genetically predisposed to unhealthy teeth and gums? For example, the Maltese is the number one dog breed with tooth and gum problems. In the cat world, the Siamese and the Abyssinian, charming as they are, have serious tooth problems and often get some of their teeth pulled during their youth. Other factors include viruses, bacteria and not enough abrasive foods.

It all starts with the gums looking almost red, and some of the teeth coated with tartar. When it comes to your pet’s mouth, don’t take anything for granted. When you examine your pet, slowly open his mouth with your fingers and ask yourself the following questions:

Does his breath smell like he just raided a rotten fish market?

Are any of his canines or molars discolored (gray, brown or green)? (Keep in mind that a pet’s teeth may be yellow due to early antibiotics like tetracycline—totally normal.)

Are his gums swollen and bright pink or angry red like a lobster with a sunburn? Note that normal colored gums should be light to medium pink. For some dark colored cats and dogs, gums may be gray.

Do you see any sores on the gums, particularly if you have a cat? They’ll look like craters on the top or bottom gum or lip.

Are his bottom teeth worn down like the soles of a shoe?

Do you see any swelling or sores on his face around the lips, under the eyes or nose? Bad teeth can result in a manifestation of external sores.

If you have a puppy or a kitten, do you see any double teeth?

Is he drooling like a newborn? Keep in mind that some dogs always drool, like the St. Bernard. If your pet is experiencing excessive drooling but doesn’t usually, it could indicate some problem.

Has he lost weight recently as a result of not eating enough?

It’s also important to observe your pet’s behavior as far as food is concerned. Has your pet been approaching his food bowl reluctantly? Has he been eating slower than usual and has he exhibited trouble biting hard things? Does your dog or cat cry during or after eating? Does your cat have the tendency to pick up food, spit it out, pick it up again and finally throw it to the back with his tongue?

If you’ve nodded your head to two or more of any of the questions above, then it’s clear that your pet has some dental health issues! You must take your pet to your veterinarian right away for an oral examination.

About the Author

Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. Enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit Lifes Abundance Dog Food for more information and products on dental health for dogs and cats.

The Importance of Smart Dental Care For Your Pets

Thanks to all the new preventive medication we have a tendency to can count on, our pets live longer, healthier lives, so abundant therefore that currently a number of the foremost severe medical problems pets will have are connected to their dental health. Cleaning our pet’s teeth routinely can create a large difference in their health and well being. By routinely, I mean daily, but don’t worry, once you get a suspend of it, it should not take you more than a couple of minutes. Bear in mind, however, that even if you give them daily home cleaning, you ought to forever take your pet to the vet at least annual for a whole checkup, and if required, a professional teeth cleaning.
Dogs and cats do not get cavities usually, if at all, however they are doing get gum disease and tartar will build-up excessively on the teeth. That is the main reason to supply good dental care. Plaque is made when food particles and bacteria accumulate along the gumlines. If plaque isn’t removed in two to 5 days, it turns into tartar, which gets adhered to the teeth and it isn’t as straightforward to remove. Tartar irritates the gums, and this is what causes gingivitis. You ought to check for reddening of the gums round the teeth and bad breath.
Once tartar has developed, the cleaning should be done by your vet who will remove the tartar and polish the teeth. Once the tartar builds up below the gums, it causes a separation of the gums from the teeth and forms pockets, where even a lot of bacteria will grow. At this point they have developed periodontal disease. Besides being very painful, this may cause tooth loss, abscesses and infections. Because the bacteria will increase, it will even reach the bloodstream, which can cause an infection of the liver, the kidneys, or the center valves. Only your veterinarian will stop the advance or stop the disease.
Thus, what kind of dental care should you give your pets?
Take your pet to the vet for regular checkups, that should embody dental exams. Have their teeth cleaned by the vet a minimum of once, and then follow up with routine home dental care. As I’ve said, your pet needs routine dental care at home, but for a sensible begin, the teeth should be clean. If you’ve been taking care of their teeth since they were babies, perhaps you are in smart form, however chances are you’ve neglected their teeth for a while.
If they have already developed tartar, it would be necessary to own it removed by a vet. To perform a cleaning, your vet can anesthetize your pet, take x-rays, and proceed with the cleaning. The tartar can be off from above and below the gumline. Then their teeth can be polished to remove any scratches caused by the cleaning to avoid accumulation of bacteria. Then the vet will tell you the best dental care program for your pet.
Now that their teeth are clean, you ought to begin wanting for warning signs in their mouths: bad breath, red and swollen gums, tartar around the gumline, and pain or bleeding when you bit the gums or mouth.
Let’s start with the food. Kibble is certainly higher for your pet’s dental health. Many foods have special properties to keep their teeth as clean as possible. There are several treats you’ll be able to provide them that can aid in removing plaque and prevent tartar build up, in addition to toys made especially to help in plaque removal.
Even when they eat the correct kinds of food and play with the correct toys, you need to brush their teeth every day. This can be the foremost important preventive measure you’ll take.
The way to brush your dog’s teeth:
1st, you have got to induce him used to the method if you haven’t done it before. Begin by gently massaging his teeth and gums for some seconds and see how he reacts. If the fusses, don’t force him and strive once more the next day. In three or four tries, he should be a lot of familiar with your finger within his mouth, thus you’ll be able to now progress to a brush. There are many sorts of brushes for dogs at your pet search, and if it is a tiny dog, you may try with a chunk of sterile gauze.
There are also special toothpastes for dogs with yummy tastes like chicken or liver. Never use human toothpaste! Concentrate to the big teeth within the back. Do not worry an excessive amount of regarding the inside, but pay special attention to the skin surface of the teeth. You can do a couple of teeth daily if he does not like the method too much at first. Eventually, he’ll sit tight for the whole cleaning and you may be in a position to try and do it in an exceedingly number of minutes.
How to brush your cat’s teeth:
Once more, you have got to get you cat used to the feel of your finger in her mouth. Begin just massaging her teeth and gums for a few seconds every day. There are special brushes for cats, but using a piece of gauze is terribly effective. If the dimensions of the cat will allow it, you’ll be able to use one of these plastic “finger brushes” made especially for cats or dogs. I personally realize them big for the size of my cats’ mouths. You also do not have to worry too much regarding the inside, but do pay special attention to the surface surface of the teeth. Do get the flavored toothpaste in a yummy tuna flavor for them… or anything else they prefer. Your vet can also recommend a special sterile answer for cats.
If you don’t have anything else handy, you’ll be able to use a mix of baking soda and water, but very little. Never use human toothpaste! After all, if you get your cat aware of her teeth cleaning when she’s a kitten, the work can be much easier, but you’ll be able to get any cat used to this with patience and love. If you find it impossible, you’ll have to take her to a vet to have her teeth cleaned. Do not put this off!! There are places where they will do it for very little cash if you have got money difficulties. Just bear in mind, they’re smitten by you for their health.
About the Author

Jeff Patterson has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Dental Care, you can also check out his latest website about
Cheap Trucks For Sale

My kitten has really bad breath?

I recently got a female kitten and she has really bad breath. Not like, regular cat breath, but really really bad. Is there something I can give her to change that? Also, what exactly could be causing it?

There are products to deal with it temporarily but the bigger concern is figuring out its source.

Potential causes:

“* Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
* Abscessed tooth or teeth
* Bone or hair stuck in mouth
* Oral ulceration
* Foreign bodies in the mouth (such as plant material or grass awns)
* Oral neoplasia (tumors of the mouth)
* Lung diseases, such as lung cancer
* Severe kidney disease
* Periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the tooth)”

Since she is a new kitten I trust you will be bringing her in for her first wellness check soon, so you can discuss the problem with the vet then Really bad breath is not normal in cats, especially kittens, so you are right to be concerned.