10 Odors You Should Be Aware of With your Cat

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Cats are wonderful pets, but sometimes they get sick or something else is wrong with them that you might not realize right away. Cats are not immune to health issues, which is why you should always be aware of the fact that your cat might have something going on.

Believe it or not, one of the most common ways to tell that there could be something wrong with your cat is by his or her odor. It’s not always an indicator that there is something going on, but it can be.

They way your cat smells might be different than the way your other animals smell, and that’s all right. But chances are good that your cat’s natural odor or scent will become something you no longer notice after it lives with you for a while.

It becomes imperative to take notice if you think your cat smells a bit funny or off, because it might indicate that your cat is not feeling well or that it is suffering from something that you can’t see – and since cat’s can’t speak and tell you what it is that’s bothering them, it’s a good idea to pay close attention. Here are 10 odors you should take note of and watch out for if your cat begins to emit them.

1. Bad Breath

If your cat’s breath is particularly bad, it could indicate that your cat is suffering from some sort of dental issue that could affect its overall health. This is a dangerous odor because dental issues can affect so many things outside of just the teeth and gums, and it’s imperative that you get your cat to the vet immediately.

2. Less than Fresh Breath

This is different than bad breath. Really bad, foul breath is an indication that your cat might suffer from dental issues. Breath that’s slightly different than what your cat usually has could indicate kidney problems. The more pronounced the smell, the worse the issue could be.

3. Sour Smell

Your cat could emit a sour smell that’s just not normal. You might think it ate something bad or rolled around in something questionable, but chances are good that your cat has some health issues that could be affecting its skin or other parts of its body. It’s time to get it checked out.

4. Dirty Smell

If your cat smells dirty and is no longer grooming himself regularly, it’s a problem. Your cat could have some dental issues or even arthritis if it’s no longer adequately cleaning itself, and that’s a big cause for concern. As you know, cats do like to be clean and they spend a great deal of time working on their grooming, and that means you have to get this cat to the vet.

5. Fish Odor

This is sometimes common in cats and it’s not really a huge issue. According to vets, this could indicate that your cat has an issue with its sac glands, which usually goes away on its own. This smell is not one you should worry about too much, but it is something you should have looked out if you’re not convinced that your cat is all right. It is always better to be safe than it is to be sorry, after all.

6. Skunk Smell

This is the smell of a skunk, and you should be worried. It’s not your cat, to be honest. Well, it is your cat, but if your cat smells like that dead skunk on the side of the road you can’t get past at least once in your life, it could mean that your cat was outside and actually tussled with a skunk.

You can take him or her to the vet for a proper diagnosis, but the best course of action here is to bathe the cat using the tried and true methods for skunk spray removal. It’s not a fun job, either.

7. Bathroom Smell

If your cat smells more like a litter box than like a cat, it could be because your cat is incontinent. It might be soiling itself due to health issues that you are not aware of. You might not notice this because the cat is either cleaning it up or hiding it well, but if you think your cat smells more like litter than it should, you should have things checked out.

8. Ammonia

The smell of cat urine is very ammonia-like, and it’s normal. If your cat begins to smell like ammonia, it’s probably not a health issue so much as it is a ‘you need to clean the litter box more often’ issue. This is probably your issue. Go into the litter box room and smell. Does it smell a lot like ammonia in there? If so, get to cleaning. The best way to remove this smell from your life is to keep the litter box as fresh as possible as often as possible.

9. Waxy-Smell

This is a smell that you might notice from across the room, and it smells like really waxy, dirty ears. If you notice this smell and then pick up your cat and notice that it’s prominent in the ear region, your cat probably has an ear infection or other skin condition going on in the ears. This is very common, but it should be checked out by a veterinary professional as soon as possible to help relieve the issues and make sure your cat is as healthy as can be.

10. Dog Odor

If you begin to notice that your cat smells a bit more like a foul, wet dog than a cat, you could have serious problems. No, your cat was not in a fight with the local dog in the yard, it might suffer from an autoimmune disease. It’s very rare, but it is not impossible. If you think that your cat might suffer from something of this nature, it’s imperative that you get the cat to the vet right away for proper diagnosis since these kinds of issues can be quite dangerous for a cat.

You can also read:

• What Might Cause a Lump Under Your Cat’s Chin?
• What Does It Mean When Your Cat’s Nose Changes Color?