Does your cat suffer from bad breath (also known as ‘feline halitosis’)? If so, you know how uncomfortable it can be when friends who visit are repelled by your cat’s breath. Even more important than the social implications, however, is the fact that feline halitosis can be an indication that your cat may be suffering from some dental or digestive disorders.
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Any changes in your cat’s diet can create digestive problems for your cat, so this should be the first consideration. If you’ve modified your cat’s diet, a change back to its original dietary regimen may resolve the problem.
If your cat’s diet has not changed, the next step would be to check inside your cat’s mouth. Bad breath is most often caused by the uncontrolled growth of bacteria in the mouth. This is true for humans as well as for our canine and feline companions. When we chew our food, bacteria in the mouth break down the proteins in our food, and this in turn causes sulfur and other chemicals to be released into the air through our breath. Ordinarily, it’s the smell of the sulfur that is so offensive.
So where does this excessive bacteria come from? It is generally the direct result of poor oral hygiene, resulting in the growth of plaque and tartar on the teeth. This can be a problem for cats as much as it is for humans.
When your cat’s bad breath is rooted in its dental hygiene, look for those cat foods and whose purpose is to prevent the buildup of tartar on your cat’s teeth. You can also have your cat’s teeth cleaned professionally by your veterinarian, but this strategy provides only a short-term solution. To prevent the problem from recurring, you will need to make some modifications to its diet. Your vet may suggest other approaches as well, such as prescribing an antibacterial mouth spray to prevent the onset of gingivitis (gum disease).
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A more proactive approach would be to periodically . There are special toothpastes and brushes made for this purpose, including electric tooth brushes, which are the most effective in preventing the buildup of tartar. If possible, this would be a good habit to develop while your cat is still young.
The best time to clean your cat’s teeth is shortly, but not immediately, after a meal. Wait for about half an hour or so after the meal so that your cat does not associate mealtime with having its teeth brushed. Such an association would create some anxiety around eating, and possibly cause it to not eat properly or to develop digestive problems.
If your cat’s halitosis does not stem from either a change in diet or from a buildup of tartar and/or plaque on the teeth, then the problem may in fact be much more deeply rooted. There may be a more serious dental issue such as a tumor, an abscess, or other types of dental disease. Feline halitosis can also be a symptom of other non-dental diseases, such as kidney or liver disease, lung cancer, or feline leukemia. Your vet can help you make these determinations and provide you with the best course of action. Exhibiting bad breath is no more normal for a cat than it is for a human, so it’s imperative to take appropriate action if your cat suffers from this problem.
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Kat Bartone is a writer, musician, computer technology instructor, internet marketer, and blogging enthusiast. She lives in Massachusetts with her cat Zoe. Kat is the owner/operator of http://www.healthy-cat-supplies.com , where you can find informational articles and tips on how to keep your cat healthy and happy.
In my opinion the most important part of a dental procedure are the dental x rays taken to identify problem areas not just above the gum line, but more importantly involving the roots and support structures. I do not think it is possible to do a proper “dentistry” on a cat without quality x rays.
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At The Scaredy Cat Hospital, (www.scaredycats.com), all patients receive full mouth digital dental x-rays prior to having any corrective surgery done. X-rays are including in the cost of the procedure.
Much attention has been focused on veterinary dentistry in the last year. Research clearly shows that proper dental care is probably the most important thing that you can do to add years of length and quality to the life of your pet.
Pet dental care is important because:
Gum infections hurt!!!
Gum and teeth disease lead to other infections such as endocarditis (heart valve infection) and kidney infections. The bacteria in the mouth can even be a potential source of human infections.
Your pet will be much more pleasant to be around with no “bad breath.”
It will save you a great deal of expense in caring for your pet in later years.
The Steps of Proper Dental Prophylaxis
ECG Screening & Laboratory Testing
These enhance sedation safety and provide a prognosis of internal organ problems that can affect the health of your pet after the dental cleaning. As the pet grows older, internal organs begin to fail. Even though they seem to be in “good health,” blood testing often reveals sub-clinical problems that are treatable when caught in time. This step is not standard procedure in human dentistry.
Anesthesia
Sedation is required since most kitties will not “open wide.” Sedation also allows us to do a much more thorough job below the gum line, which, although unable to be seen, is where most of the real problem is located. The part of the tooth under the gum line must be cleaned, as well as the exposed portion to really help long-term. Our sedatives are chosen with your pet’s utmost safety in mind, and are dictated by age, weight, and physical condition. The cost of anesthesia is a major reason that a dental cleaning costs more in animals than in people. It is also important to make sure that intravenous fluids are administered routinely during the course of this often lengthy procedure.
Scaling
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Scaling of the teeth is done to remove tartar above and below the gum line. Scaling is done with both hand instruments and ultrasonic cleaning equipment.
Polishing to Decrease New Plaque Formation
Just like using fine grit sandpaper after using coarse grit, we must polish to make the teeth smooth. Polishing the teeth after scaling is important to “smooth down” the surfaces, which then will be more resistant to new placque accumulation. Without polishing, dental specialists say we are really doing very little good, and in fact the plaque will return very quickly if the teeth are not polished after scaling.
Antiseptic Flushing
It is important after polishing to rid the mouth of the ever-present bacteria so they do not invade the gums irritated during the cleaning. Solutions are actually flushed beneath the gum line to rid these germs.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are usually required in veterinary dentistry because teeth cleaning is not usually performed until tooth and gum disease is already present. Injectable antibiotics are used routinely. Oral medications are sometimes prescribed, depending upon the severity of infection. This is not routinely needed in human dentistry because we don’t let our teeth get that bad before seeking professional help.
Once the dental cleaning procedure has been completed, it is important that you follow the dental hygiene recommendations made for your particular pet to keep his or her teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Pain medication
Extractions can be very painful. Ask your Veterinary if pain medications are optional…than run the other way if they say yes. At The Scaredy Cat Hospital (www.scaredycats.com) pain control is included in the estimate of charges and all cats undergoing oral surgery receive Novocaine type local nerve blocks in addition to take home pain medications.
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I am a cat vet and a feline lover. I am owned by 7 cats, 1 pomeranian and a beautiful wife (and oh yes, 2 daughters). I have a successful cat’s only veterinarian practice in the Southwest of the US. I have been a practicing vet for over 30 years and have an enormous amount of experience, and intuition and specialize in comprehensive and prompt analysis and diagnosis of cat diseases.
Medical advances have been made to help people live longer and to have a better quality of life. Advances have also been made in the veterinary dental profession. We who love our pets want teeth cleaning care for our cats and dogs to be managed with natural home remedies.
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The mouth is the entry point for many diseases, and we need to keep our mouth clean and healthy. Twice a year we visit our dentists for oral hygiene care. Likewise, when we visit the veterinarian he or she will examine our pets just as our dentists do to observe for any medical maladies. Both dentists and veterinarians share the same interests of preventive care for their patients.
Nowadays the teeth of our cats and dogs should be brushed at least twice a week, daily is better. A soft bristled toothbrush can be used, a rubber-like finger brush tool, or our finger can be wrapped with gauze fabric to brush both gums and teeth. This brushing care will keep their mouth clean and healthy. The cleaning action will help to keep plaque and tartar buildup to a minimum.
Clean with toothpaste that is available for pet use. Do not use people toothpaste. It is more harmful because of the sugar content. Water is a good cleaning agent if you do not want to use toothpaste designed for dogs and cats.
The truth about oral hygiene for your pet is to help keep harmful bacteria from infecting the gums and to prevent plaque.
As you clean the mouth of your dog or cat observe for anything that looks abnormal. For instance, is your pet pulling away from you as though in pain? If your pet is withdrawing look at its gums and teeth.
Do you see red inflamed gums, bleeding and/or do the gums appear tender? Did you note a loose tooth or a missing tooth? Is there something abnormal and needs to be brought to the attention of your vet?
As you were cleaning the teeth you may have noticed a yellowish-brownish discolortion at the base of the teeth near the edge of the gum. This is tartar. Tartar is calicification that is building on the teeth along the edge of the gum line.
With time the gums will become red, inflamed, and tender to touch. The inflammation is the gingivitis and is accompanied by bad breath. If this condition is allowed to continue it will build up under the gums causing infection known as periodontal disease.
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Now your pet is in a lot of trouble. Periodontal disease is a buildup of bacteria in the gums, which weakens lending to teeth loss, bone infection and abscess. The horrific bacteria will invade the bloodstream and cause liver, heart, and kidney problems or death.
Have you experienced an abscess? It is very painful. Sometimes you can save the tooth, but many times, no. Your dentist may recommend a crown. If it is severe, you lose all of your teeth and gain a pair of dentures. This is a painful ordeal for both body and bank account.
A simple solution, along with daily brushing, is to let your dog have a raw carrot, kibbles, plaque removal dental toys, and rawhide chips. Do the same for your cat with appropriate kibbles, toys, and snacks, however, no carrots.
Speaking on behalf of my dog he needs natural products of carrots, kibbles, and brushing. He developed a reaction to some of the other ‘stuffs’ that claim to rid plaque, but developed sensitivities to the chemicals and artificial ingredients present in their products.
Perhaps you have, but this is my first experience with an aging pet. I had noticed that part of my pet’s lower gum was exposed outside of his mouth and his appetitie was just a bit sluggish. The vet informed me that he is getting older and sometimes the gums become sensitive and inflamed. The inflammation is what I was seeing. I thought it was possibly an abscess. So I was somewhat relieved. She checked his heart and discovered a heart murmur. She informed me he was in the very early stages of heart disease.
I would also like to mention at this time he pants rather rapidly on occasion when there is no legitimate reason for this behavior. I had also mentioned to the vet that occasionally he coughs. The vet explained that the anatomy of the dog causes an enlarging heart to press on the trachea which causes coughing.
What I am trying to express to pet lovers is the importance of dental care. Good oral hygiene will add years to the lives of your pets. Take care of your pet as best as you can. I realize that they cannot live forever, but you want to give them the best quality of life in return for their gift of unconditional love and service.
My pet is eleven years old. He is a cocker spaniel and I was told that this breed has an average life span of fifteen years. I certainly hope that with continued oral hygiene care he sees a year or two beyond the average dog life.
Many advances are being made in pet dentistry as our modern lifestyle, technology, and medical advances improve.
We who love our pets want dental pet care for our cats and dogs.
Act on my advice and visit the pet section of Tricia Deed at http://www.Infotrish.vpweb.com/ and review Natural Remedies for Cats and Dogs.
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Through the years I have learned to be a jack-of-all-trades and maybe mastered one. Because my interests are many, diversity has been the road most traveled. Currently my interest is hobbies which I have combined with my internet marketing business.
Cat bad breath is somehow similar to human bad breath because both of them are caused by the microorganisms in the mouth that release sulfurs in the air. Because sulfurs smell bad so does the breath that contains sulfurs. In cats, the microorganisms that smell bad are caused by the tartar buildup. Tartar is made of bacteria, minerals and particles.
So, to get rid of your cat bad breath you must remove the tartar that surrounds the teeth. There are some cat foods that help on reducing the tartar by scraping it of the teeth. There are also tartar treats available on the market that fight against tartar and plaque buildup. However in some cases treats and foods may not help and you have to take your cat to the veterinary. After the teeth are cleaned, cat’s breath will no longer smell bad.
You could clean your cat’s teeth at home. There is special pet toothpaste available in several flavors. This cat tooth paste contains some enzymes that dissolve the tartar, so all you have to do is to brush your cat teeth with it regularly. There are also cat toothbrushes available. The only problem is how much your cat tolerates teeth brushing. Therefore, you must start brushing your cat’s teeth when it is at an early age to make her get use to it. This way, you will prevent tartar buildup and your cat will get rid of bad breath.
Another way to handle this problem is by trying to eliminate the bacteria in your cat’s mouth. You can use clorhexidine or any antibacterial that works for humans. You can add these substances in your cat’s water or you can spray it on the teeth. However these products don’t eliminate the tartar therefore their effect is not permanent. The best solution is to use a tartar removal combined with an antibacterial product.
Like in peoples case the bad breath of cats may not be necessarily caused by dental problems. Your cat might have some liver or kidney illness that can also cause bad breath. In this case you should take your kitty to the vet for a total examination. Even if the problem is caused by teeth, it is still recommended to treat your cat under the vet’s observation because these mouth problems can lead to other health problem if not treated carefully.
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Dogs and cats are very much at risk for developing dental problems and sadly 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. Although our fur babies rarely get cavities the formation of plaque and tartar can cause gingivitis periodontitis and stomatitis.
Periodontal disease is very painful with animals often suffering with it in silence. Pet parents can help avoid dental disease and the associated problems with basic dental care. This is critical to a pet’s overall good health.
Did you know that by the proper brushing and maintenance of your dog’s teeth you can add as much as 3-5 years to its life? The sad truth is that it is estimated that only 1 out of 10 pet parents make sure their pets’ teeth are cared for. Untreated periodontal disease can spread bacteria and infection through the bloodstream and damage internal organs such as the heart liver and kidneys. It is vitally important to check your dog’s or cat’s mouth and teeth on a regular basis and be alert to the warning signs.
The Warning Signs to be Aware of…
Changes in appetite and/or eating habits
Bad breath often dismissed as ‘doggy breath’
Drooling
Tarter and a yellow or brown discoloration at the gum line
Swollen inflamed or bleeding gums
Abscessed teeth
Fractured teeth
Loose teeth or any sign of sensitivity when a tooth is touched
These symptoms if present require a visit to your veterinarian to avoid a possibly serious health problem.
If you are not brushing don’t delay in starting! Brushing with toothbrushes designed specifically for pets is the best way to keep their teeth and gums healthy. Possible good choices: the Dual End Toothbrush with each end being a different size and angled for better reach in your pet’s mouth; or the now available Dental Kit which includes a contoured toothbrush with two sizes of bristles a soft finger toothbrush toothpaste and instructions. The newest technology is the called Triple Head Toothbrush. It uses a unique patented design that cleans the front back and sides of teeth to remove plaque build-up more efficiently with each stroke.
Pet toothbrushes are smaller softer and have a different shape to them than those used for people in order to fit the unique contours of pointed animal teeth as well as brush the front and back of the tooth at the same time.
However the toothbrush is not the only option. There are also brushes you can slip on your finger such as the Finger Toothbrush to clean both teeth and gums. Then there is the option of Finger Toothbrush Gloves an easy alternative to brushing your pets’ teeth. These unique disposable medical-grade PVC gloves feature bristles on thumb and forefinger. Lastly Dental Swabs are filled with liquid that cleans teeth soothes gums and freshens breath. And pre-moistened minty fresh Dental Wipes make it easy to practice good oral hygiene with your pet. Your choice as to what is best depends on the condition of your dog’s gums the size of its mouth and your ability to do the job of cleaning the teeth.
Always use toothpaste that is specially formulated for pets such as veterinarians’ preferred Enzymatic Toothpaste (available in Malt or Poultry) for dogs and cats. Never use toothpaste formulated for humans. Human toothpaste is much too strong and can do more harm than good.
How Often Should You Brush or Clean Your Dog’s or Pet’s Teeth?
The more often you are able to brush and clean your dog’s teeth the better. Dog and pet dental care should be a priority for maintaining your pet’s good health. The best time to clean your pet’s teeth is after the evening meal.
Brushing your dog’s teeth should not be a chore for you or your dog. Ideally you should aim for daily but at least 3-times-a-week dental care just as you know that daily dental care for yourself and your other family members is important.
Supplement Aids
Drinking Water Additives for dogs and cats were developed by veterinary dental specialists to help conveniently maintain pet dental health.
Also available are Oral Rinses for dogs and cats with Chlorhexidine 0.12% and Zince which are antimicrobial oral rinses for reducing plaque and freshening breath in dogs and cats.
Treats
You can help achieve good oral hygiene for your pet with treats. Quality dental chews on the market are specifically designed to help control plaque and tartar buildup by their shape and texture forcing a dog to chew vigorously which scrapes away plaque and tartar. Favorites are Dental Rawhide Sticks and Dental Bones with the added benefit of Chlorophyll and Parsley Seed for extra clean teeth. For aggressive chewers they are 100 percent all-natural and will give your dog lots of chewing pleasure. Also Oral Hygiene Chews for dogs and cats. As simple as giving a daily treat you will help remove plaque and prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria in your pet’s mouth. All are intended to offer dogs and cats a satisfying chewing experience fresh breath and dental benefits.
Toys
Not only can your pet be entertained with toys but the actual removal of plaque can be accomplished by using toys; the chewing activity scrapes away plaque and tartar. Never give to your pet toys that are abrasive and can wear down the teeth. If your dog is an aggressive chewer choose toys that are not so hard that a tooth can be broken on them.
Nutrition and Diet
For preventing tarter buildup and for maintaining clean teeth give your dog raw not cooked knuckle bones (the joints) from your local butcher or meat counter at the supermarket. They have tendons and muscle meat to provide a nice oral workout as well as a healthy amount of natural calcium. Your dog will enjoy a knuckle bone will be content and relaxed while chewing and a little sleepy afterwards. Supervise your dog to make sure it doesn’t swallow a large piece leading to choking or digestive problems. Raw carrots are a good substitute.
The Exam Schedule
Bring your animal to a vet for regular check-ups that include a dental visual and manual inspection for signs of gum disease tooth discoloration loose teeth and any signs of sensitivity or pain especially if you see signs of tooth decay. Puppies should have their mouths examined as early as possible and again before four months of age and another dental exam at six months. From one to three years of age dental exams should be done annually unless problems are noticed that should be looked at.
In the four to six year age range and if you have been successful in your brushing and cleaning efforts and your pet has excellent white teeth annual exams may suffice. Otherwise most pets in this age range and above should be checked every six months.
Dental care for cats is a very important aspect of cat ownership. Like humans, dental health is important and so it should not be overlooked in your cat. Some owners are not aware of the needs for their cats to have their teeth cleaned regularly. This article will assist cat owners and provide them with sufficient knowledge of what to do and what signs to look for if their cat has some dental oral hygiene problems.
Kittens
By four weeks of age, kittens have their incisors, the 12 small teeth in the front of the mouth. At six weeks, all 26 deciduous teeth are in.
Kitten teeth should be white and clean, with the upper incisors meeting the lower incisors evenly. The gums and mouth tissue should be pink, or dark if pigmented; a pale color is a sign of anemia.
If possible, accustom your kitten to having its teeth cleaned on a regular basis at home. Gently rub the pet’s teeth with your finger. As she learns to accept this, use a soft cloth or a child’s soft toothbrush dipped in a solution of baking soda and water or use a toothpaste made especially for cats. Do not use toothpaste formulated for humans. Because cats swallow rather than spit out the preparation, this can cause stomach upset.
Occasionally a kitten will retain some deciduous (baby) teeth after the permanent teeth have appeared. This may damage the soft tissues of the mouth and may even accelerate wear of permanent teeth. A veterinarian should be consulted to determine whether or not removal is necessary.
Cat Oral Hygiene
Inspect your cat’s mouth regularly for tartar buildup or a condition of the gums and brush your cat’s teeth with the proper brush and toothpaste (made specifically for cats) once or twice a week. Consult with your veterinarian about the correct home-cleaning process or professional cleaning.
Dry, crunchy foods can be helpful in keeping teeth clean by scraping against the teeth and acting like a toothbrush to help remove plaque. Still, there is no substitute for regular dental care. Take time to learn how to brush your pets teeth.
Cat Dental Problems
Lesions on your cat’s gums or foul-smelling breath can be early warning signs of a potential problem. The most common dental problems cats experience result from plaque and calculus buildup. If left unchecked, plaque and calculus buildup can eventually cause inflammation of both the gums (gingivitis) and the membrane lining of the tooth socket (periodontitis).
The infection resulting from these conditions may spread to other parts of the body such as the kidneys or valves of the heart.
Dental problems may also result from injury, foreign bodies such as porcupine quills or foxtail, malnutrition or systemic health conditions that infect the mouth as well as other parts of the body.
Common warning signs of dental problems in cats include:
Red, swollen or bleeding gums
Drooling
Bad breath
Loss of appetite
Dark spots on molars
Raised sores in mouth
Cats and Dangerous Greenery
A cat who nibbles household plants may suffer from oral problems not related to a periodontal health condition. Diffenbachia, or “dumb cane,” can cause severe irritation and ulceration to a cat’s mouth. The cat may salivate and have trouble swallowing. Prompt veterinary attention is needed. There are some plants that cats should be kept away from because the are poisonous.
Here is a list of plants that should be kept out of your garden and house:
Baby’s Breath
Hydranea
Poinsetti
Marijuana
Lily
Elephant Ears
Holly
Daffodil
Aloe
Rhododedron
Any of the above plants can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, lack of appetite and can even be fatal if your cat should ingest any of them. If you should notice that your cat has ingested any of them, contact your veterinarian immediately. Be sure to keep your cat away from these plants and do not keep any of them in your house.
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I care about pet cats and dogs and just like to communicate information to help new and existing pet owners take good care of their pets. If you are interested in leaning more about cats and other cat stuff that you can buy go to my website at
Cat dentals, cat teeth cleaning or Feline dental prophylaxis
At the Scaredy Cat Hospital (www.scaredycats.com) a complete dental and oral evaluation is part of every cat’s examination. Plaque and tartar accumulation is very common and begins at a very early age. It is important to train your kitty to get used to teeth evaluation as early as 6 weeks of age.
Much attention has been focused on veterinary dentistry in the last year. Research clearly shows that proper dental care is probably the most important thing that you can do to add years of length and quality to the life of your pet.
Cat dental care is important because:
Gum infections hurt!!!
Gum and teeth disease lead to other infections such as endocarditis (heart valve infection) and kidney infections. The bacteria in the mouth can even be a potential source of human infections.
Your kitty will be much more pleasant to be around with no tuna breath!
The Steps of Proper Dental Prophylaxis
Pre operative laboratory testing is essential in feline dentistry in order to help identify problems that might interfere with safe and gentle anesthesia.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia is required since most kitties will not “open wide.” Anesthesia also enables us to identify and correct problems below the gum line where a major portion of the pathology occurs. Our sedatives are chosen with your pet’s utmost safety in mind, and vary with age, weight, and physical condition. The cost of anesthesia is a major reason that a dental cleaning costs more in animals than in people.
Scaling or cleaning
Scaling of the teeth is done to remove tartar above and below the gum line. Scaling is done with both hand instruments and ultrasonic cleaning equipment.
Polishing to Decrease New Plaque attachment
Just like using fine grit sandpaper after using coarse grit, we must polish to make the teeth smooth. Polishing the teeth after scaling is important to “smooth down” the surfaces, which then will be more resistant to new plaque accumulation. Without polishing, dental specialists say we are really doing very little good, and in fact the plaque will return very quickly if the teeth are not polished after scaling.
Antiseptic Flushing
It is important after polishing to rid the mouth of the ever-present bacteria so they do not invade the gums irritated during the cleaning. Solutions are actually flushed beneath the gum line to rid these germs.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are usually required in veterinary dentistry because a tooth cleaning is not usually performed until tooth and gum disease is already present. Injectable antibiotics are used routinely. Oral medications are sometimes prescribed, depending upon the severity of infection. This is not routinely needed in human dentistry because we don’t let our teeth get that bad before seeking professional help.
Once the dental cleaning procedure has been completed, it is important that you follow the dental hygiene recommendations made for your particular pet to keep his or her teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Call or email the Scaredy Cat Hospital at 480-990-CATS (2287) for advise on feline dental prophylaxis and at home cat dental care.
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About the Author
I am a cat vet and a feline lover. I am owned by 7 cats, 1 pomeranian and a beautiful wife (and oh yes, 2 daughters). I have a successful cat’s only veterinarian practice in the Southwest of the US. I have been a practicing vet for over 30 years and have an enormous amount of experience, and intuition and specialize in comprehensive and prompt analysis and diagnosis of cat diseases.
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