Smelly Kitty Smooches Could Be a Sign of Greater Health Challenges

Is Cat Breath the Same as Bad Breath?

Even our most beloved kitties tend to have breath that’s at least a little stinky. If your cat’s breath smells like it did when he was a kitten, then you know his breath is healthy.

Bad breath in cats, however, is the result of an over-abundance of odor-causing bacteria in your cat’s mouth, both on the teeth and below the gum line. Bad breath in cats requires further investigation.

Plaque and Tartar Buildup

Take a peek into your cat’s mouth. Do his teeth look healthy and white, or are they yellow or brownish? If they aren’t white, you can be sure that the bacterial balance in your cats’ mouth is out of whack, and you need to do something about it.

When bad-breath-causing bacteria gains a strong foothold, those same bacteria slip through diseased gum tissue and enter the bloodstream, attacking the heart, kidneys and other vital organs.

Not Just Bad Breath

If your cat’s breath falls under any of the following categories, get him to the vet right away – he may have a serious health condition that requires immediate attention.

•        Unusually sweet or fruity breath could indicate diabetes, particularly if your dog has been drinking and urinating more frequently than usual.

•        Breath that smells like urine can be a sign of kidney disease.

•        An unusually foul odor accompanied by vomiting, lack of appetite, and yellow-tinged corneas and/or gums could signal a liver problem.

What if It’s Just Stinky Breath

If your cat has smelly breath and slightly discolored teeth, you can make a big improvement in the smell of his breath and in his oral health by adding a simple scoop of oral care probiotics to his kibble once daily. The pet probiotic sprinkles called Teddy’s Pride Oral Care use the technology of beneficial bacteria to crowd out the harmful bacteria responsible for bad breath. As an added benefit, they can improve the color of your cat’s teeth.

Adding just one scoop of probiotic sprinkles to your kitty’s food every day is a great way to ensure that his breath will smell fresh enough to smooch.