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Cat owners know for a fact that bad cat breath can be downright
awful. It isn’t much different from bad human breath.
Both are caused by bacteria found in the mouth. These
bacteria break
proteins down which releases sulfur compounds into the air.
Sulfur smells bad, which is why breath
containing it smells bad as well. The bacteria that cause bad
breath in cats is normally associated with a buildup of tartar
around the teeth. Tartar is a yellow colored coating
of bacteria, food, and minerals.
Remove the
buildup of tartar will reduce bad cat breath. Several cat foods are designed to reduce the buildup of tartar.
Many contain
enzymes that will literally dissolve the tartar.
You can also give your
cat treats that are designed to eliminate and
prevent tartar. If the buildup of tartar is bad, you may
want to have your cat’s teeth professionally cleaned.
You may also be able to brush your cat’s teeth at
home. There are several different toothpastes available for pets. Toothpastes that contain enzymes will
dissolve tartar, helping to cure bad breath. If you start brushing your cat’s teeth
when it is young, the cat will become accustomed to it and may
look forward to it.
Some bacteria that lead to tartar can be found in cat food. If you feed
your cat higher quality foods, it can help alleviate his bad
breath a great deal. When you give your pet a treat, make sure
that the treat is designed to help reduce tartar.
After your cat
has finished eating, you can brush his teeth or rinse his mouth
out. This way, you’ll get the bacteria out of his mouth before
it has time to build up on his teeth.
Sometimes, cats may have a bad odor in their mouth that is not
the result of tartar or foods. In these rare cases,
it can be either liver or kidney disease. If you notice bad
breath, you may want to take your cat to the vet. Your veterinarian can pinpoint the
problem, let you know what the cause is, and tell you how you
might remedy it.
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