It’s no fun getting a blast of bad breath when we’re chilling with our cats. If only we could pin it on the tuna fish, but the truth is, poor oral care is the most common reason for cat bad breath.
Cat bad breath is often the first warning sign of periodontal disease, a serious gum condition that affects 70% of cats by age 3. Without intervention, periodontal disease can affect our cats’ quality of life, as well as their lifespans. Fortunately, it’s 100% reversible when caught early on!
So what do you say? Let’s give our cats the best oral care – and best lives! – starting now with these latest solutions to cat bad breath.
It’s All About That Plaque
When we’re talking cat bad breath solutions, it’s important to understand WHY bad breath occurs in the first place. Just like with humans, it all starts with plaque buildup, that sticky film that forms on the teeth after meals. Plaque is filled with stinky bacteria. Less plaque = less stink.
Plaque is easily removed, which is great news for our cat’s home dental care. The not-so-great news is how plaque can harden into tartar within a few days. Tartar buildup is easy to spot: it’s yellow-brown in color and so rock-hard, it takes a professional cleaning to remove it.
As tartar gets under the gum line, it can cause infection, irritation and eventual tooth loss. Sound painful? It is, yet our cats can’t tell us when they’re hurting! That’s why stopping plaque before it hardens into tartar is the key to a healthy smile, fresh breath and a HAPPY CAT.
Know Your Cat’s Smile
Don’t rely on breath alone. Regularly examine your cat’s smile so you’re in-the-know about the state of your cat’s oral health.
Best Ways to Stop Cat Bad Breath
1. Use a Cat Water Additive to Fight Bad Breath
Many cat parents don’t have the time, desire, or (gulp) the courage to brush their cat’s teeth, which is the tried-and-true solution to cat bad breath. Fortunately, there are many alternatives, including our personal favorite: Oxyfresh Pet Dental Water Additive.
Just add this premium water additive straight to your cat’s water bowl or fountain each day to fight plaque and stinky cat breath. That’s it!
What makes Oxyfresh Pet Dental Water Additive the “cat’s meow” is, unlike most brands, it’s tasteless and odorless so even the pickiest cats will love it. No mints, no teas, no alcohol … no dirty looks from your cat! Your cat will be none-the-wiser about how you’re helping their dental health with every drink of water.
Oxyfresh Pet Dental Water Additive is vet-recommended, USA made, and 100% non-toxic. Best of all, it works fast to get rid of that stinky cat breath.
#2. Give Dental T-R-E-A-T-S
There are many cat treats on the market, but ones that are high in carbs will ironically contribute to even more plaque buildup, and therefore bad breath. So if you’re perusing the cat treat aisle, look for dental treats with the lowest carbs plus plaque-fighting enzymes. Need a place to start? Check out this list of the best cat dental treats.
What about raw bones? If you can plan for a mess, raw bones are nature’s way of cleaning the teeth, as they have lots of natural enzymes to fight plaque. (Note: never give cooked bones to a cat, as they can splinter and cause a choking hazard.)
Keep in mind that treats and bones only supplement cat home dental care. You’ll still want to have a daily “go to” like a water additive.
#3. Spray Cat Bad Breath Away
A cat dental spray is one of the hottest trends to quickly freshen cat breath. You just spray onto your cat’s tongue or gums, and – presto! – fresher breath.
Oxyfresh Pet Dental Spray is uniquely formulated with zinc and Oxygene®, our secret non-toxic ingredient that neutralizes bad breath-causing bacteria on contact, while cleaning the teeth and gums.
Even if you brush your cat’s teeth (which needs to be done 3x a week to be effective) this is a handy spray to have in case of bad breath emergencies.
#4. Feed Your Cat a Breath-Friendly Diet
A common myth is that raw and canned foods are causes of cat bad breath and to instead feed dry kibble, but this simply isn’t true. The most important factor is that the cat food is high quality.
Make sure that you choose high-protein food with real meat and lots of water to avoid dehydration and other problems. A dry mouth is a leading cause of bad breath, whether you have two legs or four!
#5. Partner with Your Veterinarian
It can be tempting to skip our own dental appointments, but let’s not slack on our cats’! Have your vet take a peek at your cat’s teeth during routine exams and be sure to take your cat in if you suspect there’s a problem. Sometimes bad cat breath can be a sign of a more serious health condition like feline diabetes, kidney disease, tumors or liver problems. Catching these conditions early is key.
But Seriously …
The easiest and most effective cat bad breath solution (that won’t make you break a sweat!) is to use Oxyfresh Pet Dental Water Additive. Just add to your cat’s drinking water each day, and give them fresher breath and a happier smile.
