How To Get Rid of Bad Cat Breath

Bad breath in cats, or as vets call it, “halitosis,” can turn those sweet kitty kisses into an unpleasant experience. Not only is bad breath unappealing, but it can also be an indicator of underlying health issues in your feline friend. This blog aims to provide you with strategies to help you get rid of bad cat breath and ensure a healthier, happier feline life.

How to Get Rid of Bad Cat Breath

Getting rid of bad breath in cats doesn’t involve just one step. Rather, it takes a series of steps and effort on your part to keep your cat’s teeth healthy and prevent stinky breath. Your cat depends on you to keep them safe, happy, and healthy. Here’s how to do that:

1. Regular Dental Check-ups for Cat Bad Breath

Regular dental check-ups are an integral part of maintaining your cat’s oral health and preventing bad breath. Your vet can perform a complete oral exam to detect any issues that might be causing foul odors, including checking their gum line for possible problems.

In addition, the vet can perform professional cleanings to remove any plaque or tartar buildup, which are common culprits of bad breath. These regular visits will not only help get rid of your cat’s bad breath, but they can also identify potential oral health issues early before they become more serious problems. It’s recommended to schedule these check-ups at least once a year, or more frequently if your vet advises.

2. Clean Your Cat’s Teeth Regularly

According to the Veterinary Oral Health Council, Home dental care plays a crucial role in combating bad breath in cats. This care primarily involves cat owners brushing their cat’s teeth using a cat-specific toothbrush and toothpaste, which are designed to be safe and appealing for cats. Regular brushing helps to remove the plaque and food particles that can accumulate on your cat’s teeth and gums, which are often the main causes of bad breath.

Proper home dental care supports healthy teeth and gums. While getting your cat accustomed to daily tooth brushing might require patience, it’s a highly effective way to promote fresh breath and good oral health. Along with brushing, providing dental treats and chew toys designed for oral health can aid in cleaning your cat’s teeth and freshening their breath.

3. Don’t Feed Your Cat Wet Food

While wet food can be a beneficial part of a balanced diet for many cats, it may contribute to bad breath in cats in some cases. Wet food is more likely to stick to the teeth and gums compared to dry food, which can contribute to the growth of bacteria, leading to plaque buildup and bad breath.

Moreover, wet food, due to its high moisture content, can decompose faster than dry food, potentially leading to a sour smell if your cat doesn’t finish it promptly. If your cat has bad breath, switching to or supplementing with raw or dry food might be an option, as the texture of dry or raw food can help clean your cat’s teeth while they eat.

4. Dental-Friendly Diet to Fight Your Cat’s Breath Smells

If your cat’s breath smells bad, feeding your cat a raw diet can promote normal periodontal health. Raw diets often include meats and bones, which require substantial chewing. This chewing action can serve as a natural toothbrush, helping to scrape off the plaque buildup on the teeth that could lead to bad breath.

Raw foods also typically do not contain the sugars and fillers found in some commercial pet foods, which can contribute to plaque accumulation and oral bacteria growth. Cats and dogs don’t have the enzymes necessary to digest the grains commonly found in kibble-based foods, leaving small pieces of food in their mouths.

Appropriate cat chews and cat dental treats can also help scrape off excess plaque to help keep your cat’s breath fresh. A healthy cat’s breath may not smell like wildflowers in the wilderness, and occasional bad breath is completely normal, but a good diet can make a difference.

5. Hydration to Prevent Stinky Breath

Proper hydration plays a pivotal role in maintaining your cat’s overall health, including oral hygiene, which directly affects the freshness of their breath. Dehydration can lead to a dry mouth, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, which in turn can result in bad breath. By ensuring that your cat drinks a sufficient amount of water, you help promote healthy saliva production.

Saliva naturally cleanses the mouth, washing away food particles and bacteria that can contribute to plaque buildup and unpleasant breath. Providing your cat with a constant supply of fresh, clean water is essential. Some cats are more enticed by running water, so a cat water fountain may encourage them to drink more. Hydration, combined with a balanced diet and proper dental care, can promote oral health.

6. Regularly Clean Food and Water Bowls for Cat Bad Breath

Regularly cleaning your cat’s food and water bowls is an often-overlooked step in combating bad breath. Over time, bacteria, saliva, and food particles can accumulate in these dishes, and when your cat eats or drinks from them, these microbes can contribute to the growth of oral bacteria, leading to plaque buildup and making your cat’s breath smell bad.

Ensuring that your cat’s bowls are washed daily with warm, soapy water can help keep this bacterial growth in check. Using a dishwasher on a high-heat setting can be even more effective, as the heat can kill bacteria more efficiently. By maintaining clean feeding dishes, you can help create a healthier environment for your cat and support periodontal function.

7. Colostrum with Full-Spectrum Hemp Extract to Promote Your Cat’s Mouth Health

Colostrum in our Gut Health, known for its potential health benefits, might also contribute to improving bad breath in cats. It contains several compounds, including various Immunoglobulins (IgG), cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, that help maintain a normal inflammatory response and promote the cat’s body’s innate resistance to pathogens. These properties can be beneficial for maintaining oral health and are particularly important if your cat’s breath stinks.

In the context of bad breath, Colostrum can also:

• Support a healthy immune system in all animals
• Balances the gut microbiome, which contributes to bad breath in cats
• Provide nutrients for a healthy body
• Provide supporting nutrients for the health of aging animals
• Enhances the immune response
• Contains ingredients to support healthy teeth and gums
• Improves digestion and gas in cats

Promoting Your Cat’s Health

Combating bad breath in cats is not just about improving their kissable factor. It’s an essential part of promoting their overall health. However, if your cat’s bad breath persists despite your best efforts or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to ask your vet what’s going on in your cat’s mouth. They can help rule out underlying health issues that might be causing your cat’s bad breath. With proper care and attention, you can ensure your furry friend remains healthy and continues to give you sweet, fresh-smelling kitty kisses.

For further reading, we recommend:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6991146/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8466648/
• https://www.rdhmag.com/patient-care/article/14210031/the-growing-potential-of-cbd-in-dentistry
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9601225/
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cre2.564