If you’ve ever found yourself recoiling from your cat’s awful breath, you may need to worry about more than just your nose. While people are prone to thinking bad breath is just a matter of poor dental hygiene, it can actually be a sign of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats.
Cats with CKD are unable to properly remove waste from their kidneys, leading to an accumulation of waste that causes many other issues. This means early detection and management of CKD is critical for cats.
So, how is bad breath related to CKD, and how does oral health affect the kidneys?
Why Does CKD Cause Bad Breath?
Cats with CKD suffer from reduced kidney functions as the disease progresses. As the kidneys are unable to do their jobs properly, all sorts of waste - especially uremic toxins - begin to accumulate in the body. These uremic toxins spread all over the body through the cat’s bloodstream, and the smell is especially noticeable in their breaths, as the mucous membrane of the mouth tends to be thinner than in other parts of the body.
The principle behind CKD and bad breath is as follows:
- Uremic Toxins and Ammonia: As CKD progresses, the accumulation of uremic toxins will lead to ammonia being produced, causing a foul odor to come out of a cat’s mouth. The smell is highly reminiscent of urine or chemicals.
- Dry Mouth: CKD can cause dehydration and/or fluid imbalances that reduce saliva production and cause dry mouth in cats. The lack of saliva makes it harder to get rid of bacteria in the mouth, leading to more bacteria in the mouth.
- Proliferation of Oral Bacteria: CKD can damage the mucous membrane of the mouth, creating an environment that allows bacteria to thrive. This, in turn, can cause inflammation in the mouth and make the smell worse.
How Does Oral Inflammation Affect the Kidneys?
Of course, CKD isn’t always responsible for bad breath. The cause could be something else, like oral inflammation. However, even this can, in the long-term, cause problems for your cat’s kidneys.
If oral inflammation persists, inflammatory molecules will end up travelling to the kidneys through the bloodstream and incite inflammation in kidney tissue. Chronic oral inflammation may also increase the body’s inflammatory response, causing additional damage to the kidneys over time and raising the risk of CKD.
As such, early management and resolution of oral inflammation is necessary to prevent and manage CKD in cats. This means that consistent dental management and inflammation treatment is vital.
How Do I Manage My Cat’s Bad Breath?
As explained above, bad breath isn’t just a case of unpleasant smells. It should be seen as a symptom of something potentially worse with your cat, such as kidney disease, as well as a signal to take action for your cat’s health. Depending on the severity, kidney damage can become irreversible, making early detection and prevention of CKD paramount.
- Periodic Dental Checkups: Make sure to get your cat’s teeth and gums checked regularly, so they can get the treatment they need.
- Immediate Diagnosis: If your cat starts showing signs that they may have CKD, take them to the vet immediately for a diagnosis. These symptoms may include bad breath, reduced appetite, weight loss, or intense thirst.
- Maintain Oral Health: Ensure your cat’s dental hygiene by brushing their teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay and oral inflammation.
Worried About Your Cat’s Bad Breath?
If your cat’s breath smells awful, it could be something far more serious than dental issues - it could be a sign of CKD. If your cat’s breath is consistently bad, or if they show other symptoms of CKD, don’t let your cat suffer in silence. Talk to an expert as soon as you can to figure out what sort of help your cat needs.
Greycoat Research is always willing to provide cat owners with free expert consultations on feline care. We seek to make a better, safer, and healthier world for cats and their humans alike.
