Causes of Bad Breath in Cats and Dogs

There Are Many Causes of Bad Breath in Pets - U.S. Federal Government

Bad breath (halitosis) in cats and dogs may be caused by dental disease or an illness affecting another area of the body. 

jumping to the conclusion that bad breath means that a pet is ill, owners should keep in mind that an animal’s breath will probably never smell minty fresh. However, an extremely strong odour can signify a medical problem.

Gingivitis in Cats in Cats and Dogs

Gingivitis (gum disease) is the most common cause of bad breath in pets. In addition to halitosis, symptoms of gum disease include:

• Brown tartar on teeth
• Mouth pain/difficulty eating
• Drooling
• Inflamed red gums

According to Drs. Foster and Smith, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs develop gingivitis by 3 years of age. When a pet has gingivitis, the bacteria that infest the gums may enter the bloodstream and eventually attack other organs, leading to heart or kidney disease, so it’s important to treat the problem as soon as it’s noticed or better yet, engage in preventative dental care.

Other problems that can cause bad breath include oral abscesses, ulcers, or tumours; foreign bodies stuck in the mouth (plant material, bone, hair, etc.); and various infections. In addition, eating garbage or feces is a common cause of bad breath in dogs (this problem is rare in cats).

Diseases That Cause Bad Breath in Cats and Dogs

There are a number of serious diseases that can cause bad breath in cats and dogs. These include:

• Liver Disease – In addition to foul breath, symptoms may include vomiting, a slight yellow tint to the corneas and gums, and lack of appetite.
• Kidney Disease – Breath may smell like urine and the cat or dog will drink and urinate more often than in the past.
• Diabetes – Additional symptoms may include breath that smells fruity or sweet, drinking and urinating more frequently than normal, and a ravenous appetite.

Young cats with bad breath and dental disease may be suffering from feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV), though a variety of other infections may also cause bad breath in cats and dogs. In addition, problems within the respiratory system or gastrointestinal tract may cause bad breath.

When in doubt, take your pet in for a veterinary check-up to rule out serious illness, especially if there are symptoms such as lethargy, bloody oral discharge, increased urination and thirst, change in appetite, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Remedies for Bad Breath in Cats and Dogs

See Remedies for Bad Breath in Cats and Dogs for home remedies and preventatives.