How Do You Get Rid of Cat Bad Breath?

When the alarm sounds, and we wake up, we notice the bad breath, and to remove it, we brush and gargle. But what about our feline friends? Have you thought about how important oral hygiene is for our cats?

If your cat's foul breath causes you to recoil in fear, you should attempt to address the issue. The most frequent reasons for foul breath in cats include oral hygiene issues, underlying medical conditions, and dietary issues. So if you’re wondering how to rid cat bad breath once and for all, you’re in the right place.

Mot of us have experienced the cat's bad breath issue. So, let's delve into the issue of bad breath in cats and how to help them with routine care.

What Causes Bad Breath in Cats?

There are multiple reasons for bad breath in cats. To help you understand its reasons, we will narrow down all the possibilities and list out the most common causes.

1. Periodontal Disease

When plaque and tartar build up in teeth, it causes periodontal disease. This creates bacteria in the cat's mouth and can cause infection and tooth decay. If left untreated, it smells like rotten eggs and enters the cat's bloodstream, causing even more severe health problems.

2. Stuck Foreign Objects

Cats often get something stuck in their mouth, such as chunks of food, strings, stuffing from toys, etc. And these lodged things stay between their teeth for a while, and they develop a bad smell. You may also notice the signs of drooling and difficulty eating in cats.

3. Gastrointestinal Problems

Bad breath in cats can be a sign of stomach issues. These are more likely to cause other health issues like vomiting, drooling, and changes in behavior. Other conditions include hairballs, eating non-edible objects, food allergies, and more.

4. Health Problems

In cats, many underlying health problems can cause halitosis, including diabetes, ulcers, liver diseases, infections, and more. Better monitor their dental and oral hygiene to keep them healthy and avoid these health problems.

5. Eating Something Smelly

If the cats are scavenging in the garbage or eating something dead, it will create a temporary foul smell. If your cat is getting into mischief and smelling bad, wait a day or two to see if it clears up. If the smell is gone, understand it's a foul smell; if not, it is indeed a dental health issue.

How To Get Rid of Bad Cat Breath?

There are many ways to rid cat bad breath. Here is the answer to the question of how to treat bad breath in cats.

1. Brush Your Cat's Teeth

Brushing your cat's teeth with a good toothpaste is the best answer for the question of how to fix cat bad breath. These help prevent plaque and tartar from building up in the cat's mouth. The less tartar and plaque helps lesser decay in cats' oral hygiene. It keeps your cat's breath fresh. 

There are specially cat-designed toothbrushes which help pet parents greatly in brushing their cat's teeth. Aim to brush thrice weekly when your cat is relaxed and comfortable.

Recommended Products:

Sentry Petrodex Dental Care Kit for Cats (2.5-oz)

This veterinary-strength Sentry dental kit includes a malt-flavored enzymatic toothpaste that cats actually tolerate. Additionally, it has a soft-bristled toothbrush and a finger brush for easy handling. The enzymatic formula works to break down plaque and tartar while being completely safe for feline use. 

Benefits:

• Reduces plaque and tartar buildup
• Freshens breath naturally
• Whitens and brightens teeth

Zymox Oratene Brushless Enzymatic Oral Care Gel (2.5-oz)

This Zymox brushless toothpaste gel uses the patented LP3 Enzyme System along with mutanase and dextranase enzymes to support complete oral care. It has the power to eliminate bad breath for fresher interactions. The formula also helps pets with dry mouth caused by medication or age.

Benefits:

• Keeps teeth and gums dirt-free without a brush
• Prevents plaque and tartar buildup
• Protects against periodontal disease

2. Add Breath Fresheners & Dental Powders

Not every cat will tolerate brushing, and that’s perfectly fine. Dental powders, sprays, and water additives are the best cat supplies for busy pet parents who have no time fighting with cats to make them brush.

Recommended Products:

Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Breath Freshener (16-oz)

This Nylabone water additive makes dental care as easy as filling your cat’s bowl. Formulated with Denta-C, it alters saliva pH to reduce plaque formation while keeping breath fresh. This veterinarian-recommended pet dental water additive is a simple and effective complement to regular brushing.

Benefits:

• Freshens breath daily
• Helps reduce plaque buildup
• Vet-recommended formula

Zymox Enzymatic Oral Care Breath Spray (4-oz)

This Zymox spray delivers enzymatic cleaning directly to your cat’s mouth without brushing. It balances oral bacteria, inhibits plaque formation, and provides relief for dry mouth.

Benefits:

• Instantly freshens breath
• Prevents plaque buildup
• Gentle and non-drying

VetriScience Healthy Mouth Perio Support Dental Powder (4.2-oz)

Designed for pets who refuse brushing, this clinically tested VetriScience powder supports dental health in as little as 28 days. This is formulated to give a boost to the health of teeth and gums of your little buddy.

Benefits:

• Reduces plaque and tartar
• Freshens breath naturally
• Supports gum health

3. Quality Water

Water quality is one of the primary reasons why your cat has bad breath. There are dental water additives, a great solution that many cat parents don't know about. Like cat toothbrushes, treats, and other cat dental care items, dental water additives are as useful as all of these. All you need to do is add the solution to the water bowl and give it to the cats. Use it preferably once after being recommended by the vet only.

Recommended Product:

Zymox Oratene Water Additive (4-oz)

This Zymox brushless solution uses natural enzymes to target odor-causing bacteria while soothing sensitive mouths. A gentle, non-drying care that soothes dry mouth conditions often caused by medications.

Benefits:

• Eliminates bad breath
• Inhibits plaque formation
• Gentle on sensitive mouths

4. Try Dental Chews and Toys

Dental treats for cats are one of the most effective ways to keep your cat's breath fresh. The same goes for cat toys. Using dental treats for cats also helps in removing plaque and tartar in pets. Every cat is different, though, so you need to experiment with cat dental treats and toys to see which is preferable for them. Monitor their health changes by using these treats and toys to see a more beneficial and natural way for cats to keep their teeth dirt-free.

Recommended Products:

Greenies Feline Adult Dental Treats - Savory Salmon (4.6-oz)

These Greenies crunchy treats are designed to clean teeth as your cat chews. They’re nutritionally complete, low-calorie, and loved by cats. The crunchy texture of these irresistible cat snacks helps freshen cat breath, letting you enjoy cuddle time even more.

Benefits:

• Freshens breath
• Less than 2 calories per treat
• #1 vet-recommended dental treat

VetriScience Healthy Mouth Bites Perio Plus (60 ct)

Formulated with probiotics, minerals, and antioxidants, these VetriScience daily chews support oral health while controlling plaque. The dual-action control works amazingly for cats’ gums.

Benefits:

• Supports gum health
• Controls plaque naturally
• Freshens breath

Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick Cat Toy

This Petstages interactive dental toy features mesh textures that clean teeth while your cat plays. Filled with natural catmint for added fun. To release more of the minty scent, simply press and roll the center of this cat toy before giving it back to your cat.

Benefits:

• Cleans teeth during play
• Freshens breath 
• Reduces boredom

5. Give Your Cat a Proper Diet

In the midst of how to get rid of a cat's bad breath, give your cat a proper diet. Many believe raw and canned food is the primary reason cats have bad breath. So, it is important to give them high-quality cat food. The high-protein food filled with real meat and lots of water will help the cats keep hydrated and avoid bad breath. A dry mouth can lead to bad breath, so it is ideal to give them a nutritionally balanced diet that keeps their breath fresh.

Recommended Products:

IAMS Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food Salmon 7-lb

The IAMS formula includes a unique fiber blend with prebiotics and beet pulp. This helps support healthy digestion and better nutrient absorption. Plus, the crunchy kibble texture naturally helps reduce plaque buildup. So, it is one of the best cat supplies and a smart choice for daily cat oral hygiene support.

Benefits:

• Supports a healthy gut
• Helps reduce plaque buildup
• Prepared with real salmon

6. Visit the vet regularly

One of the most important things to get rid of a cat's bad breath is consulting the vet.

The veterinarian knows what is best for your cats, and they might suggest some dental treats for cats and toys. They can also detect severe cat health conditions, like kidney issues, diabetes, tumors, and more.

Conclusion

Getting rid of cat bad breath isn’t complicated. It just requires consistency and proper care. With brushing, quality water, dental treats, a proper diet including adult dry cat food, and regular vet checkups, you can keep your cat’s mouth healthy and their breath fresh.

Because cuddles should smell comforting… not terrifying.