cat's saliva - unpleasant smell ?

luckyfarmer · Dec 15, 2014

Do your cat's saliva have some kind of unpleasant smell ?

My kitten is 5 months old now. i am first time cat mom. recently i found that after my kitten tried to bit my shirts/ sleeves, a strange smell left. It is not very foul smelling , it smells like some kind of salty preserved fishy smell. Is it normal ? I want to check if he has any dental issue but I couldn't do so. he rejected me touching his mouth to check his jaws..:x

He regularly eats orijen chicken formula dried (supply all day) plus wet canned food and chicken breast once or twice daily. i think he drinks enough water.

Marcia · Dec 15, 2014

You could get her vet checked - it would be worth the cost of a consultation. Sometimes gum disease or internal organs can emit a bad smell through breath but 5 months old seems a bit young for either of those. I know when one of my foster kittens (who LOVES to sit on my shoulder and rub her face across my nose) is close her breath is not fresh, but then again cats don't have the same hygiene practices we do. I think if there was any concern I'd ask for a well baby check up and a general consultation.

doodlebug · Dec 15, 2014

Teething can do funky things to their breath/saliva and he's at just the right age for that. I wouldn't be concerned unless it doesn't go away in another 4-6 weeks (or he develops other symptoms).

Albert_The_Cat · Dec 15, 2014

Hi there, as far as my cat owner's manual is concerned, the the faint, fishy smell is normal for a healthy cat.

If it's too intense, then it might be a sign of some dental problems. Additionally, I was told that bad breath may not be a dental problem at all but a gastric one. So stay vigilant and consult your vet if something alarms you.

cat's saliva - unpleasant smell ?

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