Does your cat have bad breath? What is L8020 lactic acid bacteria, and how can it help with feline bad breath?

Have you ever been playing with your cat and suddenly thought, "Their breath stinks!"?

It might smell fishy or like something raw... It’s shocking to notice that kind of odor coming from your beloved, cute cat. You might even start to worry that they could be sick.

There is always a reason for a cat's bad breath. In this article, we will explain the causes of bad breath in cats and how to deal with them in detail. We will also introduce L8020 lactic acid bacteria, which is recommended for your cat’s oral care.

Causes of Bad Breath in Cats

Cats are naturally creatures with almost no body odor. When a cat has bad breath, it may be a sign that something is wrong with their health.

The causes of bad breath in cats can generally be divided into two categories: "bad breath caused by poor oral care" and "bad breath caused by illness."

Bad breath caused by poor oral care

When oral care is lacking, bacteria in the mouth multiply rapidly. These bacteria feed on food debris and plaque to produce volatile sulfur compounds, which create a foul odor like rotting garbage.

If you think your cat's breath is smelly, they may already have periodontal disease.

While cats rarely get cavities, they are prone to periodontal disease. It can cause inflamed gums and bleeding, and if it progresses, their teeth may become loose. If you notice symptoms, be sure to consult a veterinarian.

Bad breath caused by illness

Kidney failure can cause severe bad breath. Ammonia and urea nitrogen build up in the blood, leading to an ammonia-like odor coming from the mouth.

Also, cats with diabetes may have a distinct sweet-and-sour breath odor. Gastritis, esophagitis, and indigestion can also lead to bad breath that smells like feces.

Bad breath is a barometer of your cat's health. To help with early detection of illness, in addition to oral care, you should keep an eye on things like their water intake and urine volume.

Countermeasures for Cat Bad Breath

The most important thing to prevent bad breath in cats is to brush their teeth and keep their mouth clean.

Cat food debris tends to get stuck in a cat’s mouth, leading to an accumulation of plaque.It is said that if plaque is left alone, it can turn into tartar in about a week.

Cats that eat wet food especially need to be careful. Wet food is more likely than dry food to leave food debris in the mouth, which leads to bad breath and tartar buildup.

Once tartar forms, it is difficult to remove just by brushing. It requires general anesthesia and the use of a professional scaler.

While there are dental treats and toys on the market, brushing remains the most effective method. To prevent food debris and plaque from remaining on the teeth,try to brush their teeth daily if possible, or at least once every three days.

How to brush their teeth

A cat’s tooth enamel is thin and easily damaged, so you don’t need to scrub hard. Wrap a piece of gauze around your finger to rub them gently, or use a soft toothbrush made for cats.

Start with the front teeth. Hold your cat, gently steady their head, and brush without applying pressure. When brushing the back teeth, lift their upper lip slightly. Plaque tends to build up on the back teeth, so be sure to brush those areas carefully.

If you discover any abnormalities or notice signs of pain while brushing, please visit a veterinary clinic immediately.

If your cat hates having their teeth brushed

If you try to jump straight into brushing, your cat will likely hate it.Start by practicing touching their mouth.

Practice opening their mouth little by little to get them used to you touching the inside. Start by touching their teeth with your finger, and once they get used to that, move on to a dental wipe, a cotton swab, and finally a toothbrush. Build trust without rushing.

You don’t have to brush all their teeth at once; try doing a small section at a time over several days. If they do a good job, give them lots of praise and a treat. You can also use a cat-friendly flavored toothpaste gel.

Recommended Items for Cat Bad Breath

Brushing is essential for your cat’s health, but if you didn't get them used to it as a kitten, they are bound to dislike it.

Here are some recommended oral care products for cats who hate brushing.

The buzzworthy L8020 lactic acid bacteria

L8020 lactic acid bacteria are a type of human-derived bacteria that suppress the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease and cavities.

Because of its excellent inhibitory effect against periodontal and cavity bacteria, it is used in oral care products like toothpaste, mouthwash, and tablets containing L8020.

As they are lactic acid bacteria, they are great for preventing cavities in babies and can be safely used for cats and dogs suffering from bad breath or other oral issues.

"Placori-Kid," the lick-off dental care

For cats that hate brushing or still have bad breath despite brushing, we recommend "Earth Pet Everydent Pro Placori-Kid." It is a dental care product exclusively for cats and dogs that helps combat bad breath just by licking.

In addition to L8020 lactic acid bacteria, it contains ingredients like lactoferrin and sodium tripolyphosphate to balance the oral environment. Vitamin E promotes healthy gums.

It’s very easy to use.Just let them lick a single pump-sized amount once a day. It has a refreshing yogurt flavor, and many cats seem to enjoy the grooming process.

Make good use of these convenient tools to keep up with bad breath care without strain.

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Summary

The primary cause of bad breath in cats is a lack of oral care. If food debris is left behind, it eventually turns into plaque and tartar, leading to periodontal disease.

Tartar builds up more easily as cats get older, so daily brushing is very important. If brushing with a toothbrush is difficult, try out dental care products that only require them to lick them.

Also, keep in mind that bad breath in cats can be a precursor to illness. While enjoying bonding time with your cat, be sure to check their breath as well.

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