Bad breath (halitosis) in cats makes cuddle time less enjoyable, and it’s often a sign that something isn’t right. As a cat owner, I know how concerning this can be, especially when you snuggle up to your cat after a long day and you catch a whiff of their breath that’s anything but fresh. That moment quickly shifts from sweet to sour.
Luckily, one of the key ways to combat bad breath in cats is through their food. The right cat food can help freshen your cat’s breath while minimizing plaque and tartar buildup.
Our number one choice for the best cat food for bad breath is Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Dental Care Dry Cat Food.
This food reduces bad breath by fighting bacteria in plaque. It also aids in dental health by scraping off the tartar from your cat’s teeth as they chew and contains omega fatty acids to promote strong gums.
But we have included other options too, in case your cat has other dietary needs. Here are our top picks for the best cat food to help freshen stinky breath and improve dental care.
Our Top Picks: 05 Best Cat Food For Bad Breath
- Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Dental Care Dry Cat Food (Best Overall)
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DH Dry Cat Food (Best Dry Food)
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Cat Food (Best Budget Food)
- Royal Canin Feline Care Dry Cat Food (Best Premium Food)
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental Dry Cat Food (Best For Kidney Health)
Best Cat Food For Bad Breath Reviewed
The best cat food for bad breath should contain ingredients that support oral health, probiotics, fibers, and crunchy textures to remove tartar and reduce plaque.
The cat food brands we have reviewed below are selected based on their ability to improve dental health and freshen bad breath and their overall nutritional value for cats.
While these foods can help cats with bad breath, we recommend you consult your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet.
Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Dental Care Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 10.5% Crude Fiber, 8% Moisture
Caloric Content: 268 kcal/cup
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Powdered Cellulose
Type of Product: Dry cat food
Life Stage: All Lifestages, Adult
Key Feature: Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, With Grain, VOHC Accepted
Pros:
- Reduces foul cat breath
- It helps keep cat teeth clean
- Reduces plaque and tartar
- Recommended by veterinarians
- Optimal nutrition for overall health
- Crunchy kibble with a special matrix of fibers
Cons:
- Need a vet’s prescription
- Large kibble sizes for cats with small mouths
Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Dental Care Dry Cat Food fosters dental health and reduces bad breath in cats by fighting bacteria-laden plaque. It is also rich in antioxidants and supports a healthy immune system.
The kibble’s crunchy texture contains a special fiber matrix that helps scrub away stains and tartar on your cat’s teeth as they chew, promoting better oral health.
One of the key features of this dry food is that it is fortified with calcium, an essential nutrient for strong teeth. It strengthens the hard outer shell of your cat’s tooth, also called enamel, which helps prevent erosion and decay.
With a blend of essential nutrients, this formula is suitable for all life stages and keeps your cat’s overall health in check. Ingredients such as beta carotene and vitamin A improve eye health and reduce potential inflammation in your cat’s skin.
Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Dry Cat Food is accepted nutrition for the reduction in buildup of plaque and tartar by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
Many cat parents have observed and reported significant improvements in their cat’s oral health and overall well-being. With its proven effectiveness in reducing foul breath, plaque, and tartar, this food comes highly recommended by veterinarians.
However, I found the crunchy kibble pieces big for my cat’s small mouth, forcing him to chew (instead of swallowing his food) effectively cleaning his teeth. It also requires a vet’s prescription to purchase it.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DH Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis: 34% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 6% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
Caloric Content: 279 kcal/cup
First 5 Ingredients: Ground Yellow Corn, Poultry By-Product Meal, Corn Protein Meal, Liver Flavor, Animal Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols
Type of Product: Dry cat food
Life Stage: All Lifestages, Adult
Key Feature: Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, With Grain, VOHC Accepted
Pros:
- Effective in reducing plaque and tartar
- Reduces smelly breath
- Antioxidant-rich nutrition
- Crunchy texture kibble
- Great taste cats love
Cons:
- Requires a vet’s prescription
- Pricey
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DH Dry Cat Food is accepted nutrition for the reduction of plaque and tartar by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
In addition to promoting good oral hygiene, this food also offers essential nutrients for overall health, such as antioxidants for a robust immune system.
Glucosamine, taurine, calcium, and fatty acids are among the essential nutrients included in this food. These support healthy joints, vision, teeth, and a shiny coat for your cat.
Regarding taste, my cats love the less fishy flavor of this food, making it easier to incorporate into their daily diet. And the large pieces seem to encourage slower and better chewing, leading to teeth cleaning while eating.
This recipe offers a complete and balanced diet for cats of all life stages. It includes essential minerals and vitamins, making it an excellent pick for households with multiple cats.
One of the downsides of this product is its relatively high price point compared to other cat foods on the market. While this might be a negative point for some cat parents, its oral and overall feline health benefits may outweigh the cost.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Crude Protein, 17.5% Crude Fat, 10% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
Caloric Content: 331 kcal/cup
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Powdered Cellulose
Type of Product: Dry cat food
Life Stage: Adult
Key Feature: With Grain, VOHC Accepted
Pros:
- Cleans teeth and freshens cat breath
- Reduce plaque and tartar
- Made with natural and high-quality ingredients
- Complete balanced diet with antioxidants
Cons:
- Large kibble size for cats with small mouths
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Cat Food has crunchy kibble pieces that effectively clean teeth, reduce plaque and tartar with every bite, helping to keep your cat’s mouth healthy and freshen their breath.
One of the key features of this kibble is that it is made with natural ingredients like real animal chicken. This ensures that your cat gets high-quality protein similar to what they would eat in the wild to build strong muscles.
Thoughtful ingredients like apples, broccoli, carrots, and cranberries boost antioxidants. These aid in immune health and contain vital minerals like calcium for solid teeth and bones.
In addition to promoting dental health, this formula also provides balanced nutrition with 29% crude protein, 17.5% crude fat, and 10% crude fiber. However, the kibble size may be too large for some cats, especially those with smaller mouths.
Royal Canin Feline Care Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis: 28% Crude Protein, 13% Crude Fat, 6.7% Crude Fiber, 10.5% Moisture
Caloric Content: 322 kcal/cup
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Meal, Corn, Brewers Rice, Chicken Fat, Wheat Gluten
Type of Product: Dry cat food
Life Stage: Adult
Key Feature: With Grain
Pros:
- Kibble simulates a teeth-brushing effect
- Supports healthy gums
- Healthy omega acids to help with cat’s coat
- Reduces plaque and tartar
- Does not require a vet’s prescription
Cons:
- Too much grain
Royal Canin Feline Care Dry Cat Food has a distinct texture that encourages chewing and simulates a tooth-brushing effect with its unique size. This limits plaque buildup, enhances oral health, and reduces foul breath in cats.
Thanks to the added calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, this formula helps maintain strong teeth and bones.
Chicken meal and chicken fat come from the bones and organs of chickens. This provides natural and high-quality amino acids like taurine and healthy omegas for your cat’s diet.
Taurine is essential for cats as they cannot produce it themselves. It supports heart health and vision. Omega 3 and 6 acids promote healthy coats, skin, and joints.
One of the major things you will notice about this dry cat food is that it contains grains that may not be suitable for all cats.
Cat parents say their cats love this food, and since switching, they haven’t experienced any issues with plaque formation.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental Dry Cat Food
Guaranteed Analysis: 27% Crude Protein, 13% Crude Fat,7.7% Crude Fiber, 8% Moisture
Caloric Content: 294 kcal/cup
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Brewers Rice, Corn, Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal
Type of Product: Dry cat food
Life Stage: Adult
Key Feature: Pea-Free, Veterinary Diet, With Grain, VOHC Accepted
Pros:
- Reduces plaque and tartar
- Kibble simulates tooth-brushing effect
- Promotes urinary health
- Helps control hairball formation
Cons:
- Requires a vet’s prescription
- Large kibble size for cats with small mouths
This formula offers tailored nutrition to support the oral health of cat breeds of all sizes, which benefits cat parents with multiple cats. Its unique texture and shape simulate a brushing effect, helping to reduce plaque and tartar.
This formula promotes a healthy urinary environment, reducing the risk of struvite and oxalate stones in your cat’s kidneys. It also contains fibers such as psyllium that help control hairball formation by stimulating bowel movement.
Fish oil enriches this formula with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids — helping to brighten your cat’s skin and coat. After using this cat food, you will notice its benefits for your cat’s overall health.
A blend of essential antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals makes this food a complete and balanced choice for adult cats.
However, it’s worth noting that this cat food does require a veterinarian’s prescription. Also, the kibble size may be too large than you would expect for cats with smaller mouths.
How to Choose the Best Cat Food for Bad Breath
Here are 5 of the most important factors or ingredients that should be included in your cat’s food to help them have good oral health.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics make it easier for your cat to digest and absorb nutrients from their food, promoting gut health.
They can also help keep away gassiness and burps, which can contribute to bad breath.
While most foods already contain probiotics, you can also use probiotic supplements if your vet approves.
Nutrients That Promote Oral Care
Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids are rich in DHA and EPA, which help maintain gum health and prevent tooth decay.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are also beneficial for maintaining your cat’s oral health integrity. They help build and repair cartilage and gums essential for fresh breath.
Antioxidants boost your cat’s immune system. This contributes to a fresher breath by reducing plaque and tartar buildup.
Kibble Size
Choosing the right kibble size can improve your cat’s oral health and eliminate bad breath.
A study from the Journal of the American Society for Nutrition states that feeding dry food positively influences oral health, decreasing the occurrence of dental deposits and periodontal disease in cats and dogs.
Larger kibble with a bit of a curved edge can help scrape tartar off your cat’s teeth as they chew. On the other hand, smaller kibble may not provide enough friction to remove tartar.
Essential Minerals
In addition to antioxidants, essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are important for maintaining strong teeth and preventing dental disease. Zinc is another mineral that can help combat bad breath by neutralizing odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
Fiber for Dental Health
Fiber acts as a natural tooth cleaner by scrubbing away stains and tartar as your cat chews their food.
What Are the Causes of Bad Breath in Cats?
The causes of halitosis (bad breath) in cats include:
- Diet
- Poor dental hygiene
- Periodontal disease
- Gingivitis
- Stomatitis
- Eating Strange Things
- Kidney and Liver Disease
- Diabetes
- Oral Tumors
- Other Causes
Diet
Wet food can contribute to bad breath in cats. The moist and soft texture of wet food can stick to the teeth and foster an environment for bacteria to thrive.
Wet food usually has a characteristic strong smell, which tends to linger on the cat’s breath even after eating.
Poor Dental Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene can lead to the accumulation of plaque and tartar on your cat’s teeth, which can harbor bacteria and cause bad breath.
Periodontal Disease
This condition involves inflammation and infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth, leading to plaque and eventual tooth loss if left untreated.
Symptoms of periodontal disease in cats include bad breath, red or bleeding gums, plaque and tartar buildup, reduced appetite, and difficulty chewing.
Gingivitis
Feline gingivitis is a condition that causes inflammation and infection of the gums. It is caused by bacteria infection from plaque bacteria associated with poor oral hygiene. Signs and symptoms include red or swollen gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, difficulty eating, excessive drooling, eating with one side of the mouth, and weight loss.
Stomatitis
Feline stomatitis is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the mouth, including the gums, tongue, and cheeks. It can lead to bad breath in cats and difficulty eating or crying while eating due to the discomfort.
Eating Strange Things
Pica ( a condition in which cats eat non-food items) or coprophagia (eating feces) can cause bad breath due to the lingering smell of whatever your cat has eaten.
Kidney and Liver Disease
Kidney and liver diseases can also contribute to bad breath in cats. These conditions affect the body’s ability to filter out toxins, resulting in an accumulation of waste products that can cause bad breath. Cats with kidney disease may have a urine-scented mouth odor.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause a distinctive sweet or fruity odor in breath. This is due to the body’s inability to properly metabolize glucose, leading to increased ketones in the blood and breath. If your cat’s breath smells sweet, have them checked by a veterinarian.
Oral Tumors
Oral tumors are another potential cause of bad breath in cats. These growths can develop anywhere in the mouth and may produce a foul-smelling odor as they grow and spread.
Other Causes
Other causes of bad breath in cats include upper respiratory tract, gut problems, and immune deficiencies.
How to Get Rid of Cat Bad Breath at Home
While it is essential to have your cat checked by a veterinarian for underlying health issues, there are also steps you can take at home to get rid of your cat’s bad breath.
Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
Brushing your cat’s teeth once a day can help prevent bad breath and get your cat used to the routine.
One study from the British Journal of Nutrition examined the impact of home-prepared diets and home oral hygiene on oral health in cats and dogs found that daily tooth brushing reduced the probability of having an oral health problem in both cats and dogs.
Even one to three times a week can make a significant difference if you have a tight schedule.
Use a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for cats, as human products can harm them. Start slowly and gradually increase the frequency of brushing over time.
Feed Your Cat a Raw Diet
A raw diet can help fight bad breath in cats. Raw meat contains enzymes that can break down plaque and promote healthier teeth and gums.
Try Dental Chews And Treats
Dental chews or treats accepted by the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) can also help reduce tartar and freshen your cat’s breath.
Provide Dental-Friendly Chew Toys
Dental toys help remove plaque and tartar as your cat chews. They are a fun and effective way to help clean your cat’s teeth and freshen their breath.
Chew toys improve oral hygiene, provide mental stimulation, and reduce stress for your cat.
Encourage Fresh Water Intake
Staying hydrated helps prevent dry mouth, which can contribute to bad breath. Ensure your cat has fresh and clean water available at all times.
How to Treat Bad Breath in Cats
Treating bad breath in cats involves addressing the underlying cause, often related to dental or health issues. Here are two things you can do to help improve your cat’s breath:
Schedule a Checkup with the Vet
Schedule a check-up with your veterinarian so they can examine your cat’s teeth, gums, and overall health to determine the cause of their bad breath.
If the reason for your cat’s bad breath is dental disease, your vet will clean and possibly extract any infected teeth. They will also suggest a diet or oral care routine to help prevent plaque.
Add Dental Water Additives
Mix vet-approved dental additives into your cat’s water bowl to fight bacteria and reduce plaque without any extra effort.
We recommend Oxyfresh Dental Water Additive. It is a tasteless and odorless solution that’s safe for daily use. It helps prevent plaque and gives your cat fresh breath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about bad breath in cats? Here are some commonly asked questions and answers.
Can Diet Help Eliminate Bad Breath?
Yes, diet can help eliminate bad breath in cats. Certain ingredients in cat food can help scrape off plaque and tartar. The kibble size (and shape) play a significant role in cleaning and removing stains in hard-to-reach areas.
But it’s also important to note that diet can’t do everything alone. Brush your cat’s teeth, or at the very least, give them chews and bones to help clean their teeth.
Does Dry Cat Food Cause Bad Breath?
Dry cat food does not cause bad breath in cats. It helps keep their teeth clean and promotes better oral health. The crunchy texture of dry kibble aids in scraping off plaque and tartar on their teeth as they chew.
Can Wet Food Cause Bad Breath in Cats?
Wet food can cause bad breath in cats as the soft texture sticks to their teeth and can contribute to bacterial growth if not properly cleaned.
What is the Best Cat Treat for Bad Breath?
Our pick for the best cat treat for bad breath is Purina Dentalife Cat Treat.
These treats have a porous texture that cleans teeth and freshens breath by targeting hard-to-reach plaque and tartar. Dentalife comes in delicious chicken and salmon flavors that most cats love.
Does Coconut Oil Help Cat Bad Breath?
Yes, coconut oil can help with cat bad breath in some cases. The lauric acid in coconut oil is antimicrobial and can fight odor-causing bacteria. Therefore, a small amount of coconut oil instead of traditional cat toothpaste can help freshen their breath.
How Can I Freshen my Cat’s Breath without Brushing?
You can freshen your cat’s breath without brushing by adding dental water additives to your cat’s water bowl.
Add finely chopped parsley to your cat’s food for a more natural route. Parsley is a natural breath freshener.
Do Cats Naturally Have Bad Breath?
No, cats do not naturally have bad breath. Occasional halitosis is fine as a cat’s breath might smell foul from their last meal.
Persistent foul, smelly breath is usually a sign of a dental issue, and you need to have your cat checked at the vet.
Conclusion
Persistent smelly cat breath should not be ignored. Instead, pick one of the best cat foods for bad breath to protect their gums, teeth, and oral health. Your cat’s food plays a big part in their oral health, so get them the best option possible.
Our number one choice for the best cat food for bad breath is Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Dental Care Dry Cat Food.
This food reduces bad breath by fighting plaque bacteria, scrapes tartar as cats chew, and promotes healthy gum.
No matter the food you choose on this list, remember to consult your vet to rule out any other health concerns.