Even the most loving parent doesn’t expect their cat’s breath to smell like roses—but if your cat’s breath is noticeably bad, it’s worth investigating. Fortunately, there are several simple practices and home remedies that can treat bad breath, or halitosis, in cats, so you can get back to enjoying their sweet company up close and without fear!
The Top 10 Causes of Bad Breath in Cats
There are several different things that can cause your cat’s breath to stink, and some of them might require a diagnosis from a vet:
1. Plaque & Tartar Buildup
Plaque is a sticky bacterial biofilm on cats’ teeth that hardens into tartar over time. Both plaque and tartar can cause bad breath, erode tooth enamel and cause cavities.
2. Gum Disease
Gum disease is the most common cause of bad breath in cats, and it is a direct result of plaque and tartar buildup (Cause #1). Whether it’s gingivitis (early gum disease) or periodontitis (advanced gum disease), gum disease develops over time as odor-producing bacteria from plaque and tartar buildup causes inflammation in the gum tissue.
3. Tissue Inflammation
Stomatitis is inflammation of the soft tissues in your cat’s mouth. Stomatitis is a very painful condition caused by inappropriate growth of oral bacteria. Fungal stomatitis is caused by the Candida albicans fungus and is less common.
4. Rotting Food or Foreign Objects
Small food particles stuck in spaces between the teeth and gumline can decompose, leading to bad breath and infection. Likewise, if your cat chewed on some hair, bone, leaves or similar, those types of items can also get stuck and start to rot.
5. Tooth or Gum Decay
When a cat’s teeth or gum tissues become infected by bacteria it can lead to cavities and dead gum tissue, both of which produce a foul odor. Broken teeth are especially vulnerable to infection and decay.
6. Canker Sores
Canker sores are mouth ulcers that can form on gum tissue, the tongue, or on the insides of cheeks and lips—just like with people. Infected canker sores can cause bad breath and decreased food intake.
7. Infection
Infections are usually indicated by bad smell; therefore, bad breath is a common symptom of a few different kinds of infections in cats:
- An upper respiratory tract infection (URI): In cats, one of the first symptoms of a URI is bad breath or foul mouth odor.
- An infected tooth or an abscess in the root can also cause bad breath.
- An oral infection can also lead to glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), another source of bad breath in cats.
- As listed above, infected canker sores, teeth, and gums can cause bad breath and decreased food intake in cats.
8. Teething
Kittens that are teething usually have bad breath. It will probably clear up in a few weeks, but keep an eye on things because some kittens can get gingivitis when their adult teeth grow in.
9. Diet
Wet cat food has a noticeable smell, and sometimes an odor lingers after mealtime. The same thing happens to us after we eat a particularly pungent meal!
10. Eating Strange Things
Cats don’t have the same reputation as dogs when it comes to scavenging and eating gross things, but stranger things have happened! In particular, cats with pica (a condition causing a compulsion to eat non-food items) or coprophagia (eating feces) can develop bad breath as a result.
Other Causes
Poor oral hygiene is the primary cause of most cases of halitosis in cats. When a cat’s natural oral bacteria crosses the tipping point from good to bad, it causes decay and creates sulfurous compounds which can smell like fish or rotten eggs, nicknamed “death breath.” Probiotics, such as those found in Stella’s Solutions Digestive Support, naturally help decrease the amount of bad bacteria in your cat's mouth.
Other factors including malnutrition, immune deficiencies, and wounds or burns inside the mouth (which can result from chewing on electrical cords) can also play a part. Toxic plant poisoning can cause oral irritation (including ulcers) and lead to bad breath as well.
The 7 Best Natural Home Remedies for Stinky Cat Breath
For most cats, the solution to bad breath is as simple as removing or reducing plaque buildup. If you're wondering how to get rid of your cat's bad breath at home, here are some tips:
1. Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
Ideally brush your cat’s teeth once a day-but start where you can. Be sure to use a toothbrush designed for cats, and a pet-safe toothpaste recommended by your veterinarian. Introduce this new practice slowly. If your cat won’t tolerate brushing, there are also oral gels that can be applied with a cotton swab along the gumline to keep your cat's teeth clean without brushing.
2. Hydrate Your Cat
Dehydration can cause dry mouth in cats, which can in turn lead to bad breath. When there’s not enough saliva in the mouth to rinse away bacteria, those unwelcome bacteria stay in your cat's mouth and produce foul odors the longer they fester. Check out the following tips for keeping your cat hydrated.
3. Feed a Raw Diet
Did you know that unlike humans, cats do not have the starch-digesting enzyme amylase in their saliva? This means that when cats eat starches and carbohydrates-like those found in traditional dry cat foods-any excess food left behind in the mouth will never be broken down, and therefore will eventually start to decompose and stink. However, Stella & Chewy's raw cat food is made up of 98% meat, organs, and bone, meaning that it contains none of the carbohydrates that accumulate on cat's teeth from traditional diets. Plus, our raw diets are nutrient-rich and full of probiotics, which are a mix of helpful microorganisms that fight off the stinky bacteria in your cat's mouth.
In fact, veterinarians like Dr. Angie Krause recommend feeding a raw food diet precisely because it is low in carbohydrates, high in protein, and so "most cats can benefit from this change no matter their age and diet history."
Raw diets for cats are rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins to help support good oral hygiene, to name a few of the numerous benefits of adding raw food to your cat's diet.
4. Enhance Their Water
Only use a water additive formulated for cats, never a product made for humans or other animals. These flavorless water additives can help remove plaque from your cat’s teeth, thereby reducing associated odors in the mouth. Never put lemon juice in your cat’s water, as citrus fruits are one of the many human foods that are toxic for cats.
5. Try Dental Chews
There are several dental chews and treats for cats designed to remove plaque buildup through chewing, including toys, sticks and treats. Look for cat dental chews or treats accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
6. Cat Proof Your Home
Remove potential hazards in your home. Make sure any houseplants are safe for cats, keep toxic household items where your cat can’t get them, and keep human foods that are toxic to cats out of reach. You should also cat-proof your Christmas tree during the holidays if you have one.
7. Try a Temporary Fix
Use flavored treats or parsley for a quick fix. Some cat bad breath treats are meant to temporarily freshen breath, rather than remove plaque – but make sure to check the label for sugar and preservatives. Parsley is an all-natural breath freshener that’s safe for cats, so you can try putting a small amount in their water or food
When to Seek Professional Help
It’s important to keep up with your cat’s wellness checks so your veterinarian can regularly evaluate their oral and dental health.
Most of the time, bad cat breath is a minor inconvenience. But chronic halitosis or sudden changes in your cat’s breath (with no change in food or lifestyle to explain it) could signal an underlying health issue such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Gastrointestinal problems (including bowel obstruction) can cause foul breath that smells like feces and are usually accompanied by frequent vomiting.
If home remedies aren’t working, or if your cat’s bad breath is accompanied by other symptoms (difficulty eating, vomiting, or inflamed gums), get it checked out by your vet. They may recommend professional dental cleaning, antibiotics, or other treatments.
Learn more about introducing your cat to a raw food diet to promote fresher breath, a healthy weight, and many other benefits!
