Posted by Charm_AL on 2/1/06 1:59pm
Msg #93038

OT: cat experts...

Before I call and spend $$$ on a vet, I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and has a fix.
We adopted a 5 yr old cat, she's very small, short legs, very sweet and is a lap cat.
The problem is that she has the most horrid breath! She always smells like she just ate rotten fish. My hubby thinks that she may have some kind of internal stomach/intestinal problem causing it because she's kind of an odd size for her age. Already looked at her teeth, which seem to be fine.
I know dogs sometimes have this problem but they can chew bones to get rid of the plaque, yes?

Reply by Brad_CA on 2/1/06 2:03pm
Msg #93039

http://www.westlynnvet.com/bad_breath.htm

Reply by Ilona_OH on 2/1/06 2:05pm
Msg #93041

Are you sure she's not getting into the limberger on the side? Sorry, couldn't resist
! Check her gums for any infection. Ours had to have a dental and extractions because of it and had really bad breath.

Reply by eXpedN_TX on 2/1/06 2:06pm
Msg #93042

My cat had a similar problem and they knocked her out and cleaned her teeth. If you don't think it is the teeth, it may also be an inbalance of the bacteria when digesting food. Have you tried different types of food to see if that helps? There are kitty treats that help with plaque too. They are similar to dog treats...not the soft treats. Also, if you are feeding your cat wet food, you may want to stop for a few days and see if that helps improve anything.

Reply by Anonymous on 2/1/06 2:09pm
Msg #93044

Re: OT: cat experts...Also

If you feed her "people food", even once in awhile, that could be a problem. They can't digest it properly and it could lead to bad breath. Our kitties love cheese but we don't love the dead-cheese breath so now it is strictly Iams!

Reply by BP/WV on 2/1/06 2:14pm
Msg #93046

Iams?????????

http://www.iamscruelty.com/

Reply by Mung/CA on 2/1/06 2:28pm
Msg #93049

Wow! I'll never buy Iams.

Although I'm not a cat-lover, I don't see any reason why anyone should be cruel to animals. That was eye-opening, thanks. My wife buys Science Diet for our cats and Nutro for our dog.

Reply by Anonymous on 2/1/06 4:09pm
Msg #93089

Re: Iams????????? Oh no!

Wow--I had no idea. How horrible!! Is Purina or Science Diet any better? I love my kitties and I also can't afford to feed them the filet mignon and lobsters of cat foods but I am done with Iams--anything suggestions for affordable and pet friendly?

Reply by BP/WV on 2/1/06 5:37pm
Msg #93114

Re: Iams????????? Oh no!

I have been using Purina for my cats for years. It is cruelty free as well as Science Diet.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 2/1/06 8:32pm
Msg #93144

Re: Iams????????? Oh no!

My kitty gets Purina. In fact my hubby got her Iams once when they were out of Purina. It made my kitty puke. I ended up taking the bag to the shelter.

Reply by Marlene_USNA on 2/2/06 9:29am
Msg #93289

Chicken Soup for Pet Lovers Soul pet food

http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/

real meat as key ingredients, no corn or wheat fillers (so no mold problems)

Reply by Danny_FL on 2/1/06 2:09pm
Msg #93043

Good chance it may be the diet. Presently there are 3 brit short-hairs that own me and their breath is fine. I have done some research and feed them a raw meat diet. Way better for them and fewer health problems. Look up Oma's Pride raw meat diet.

Danny

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/1/06 2:29pm
Msg #93050

wow! Thanks for all the advice friends....Well, she was 'jailed' from April of 04 until I got her in January. They gave me a bag of IAMs science diet for mature cats, I have been giving her that, I did recently buy some canned food to see if she liked it, no table scraps.
I had no idea about IAMs! I guess I'll take her in and have her teeth looked at. Appreciate it guys!

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/1/06 2:31pm
Msg #93053

just looked, I was wrong, not IAMs, it's Science diet for mature cats.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 2/1/06 2:32pm
Msg #93054

Charm, buy kittie some "Greenies" for felines....

and try that first. Greenies goes after both bad breath and indigestion problems. Let us know!

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/1/06 2:32pm
Msg #93055

will do TG...thanks!...n/m

Reply by Becca_FL on 2/1/06 2:40pm
Msg #93059

Try the Missing link suplement...

I give it to my dog for health & joint reasons. The Missing Link is plant based nutrition and has chloraphil (sp) which is helpful with breath odor and digestion.

Here's a link to the kitty product.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025591&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774906&bmUID=1138826328721

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/1/06 3:00pm
Msg #93070

Re: Try the Missing link suplement...Thanks!...n/m

Reply by Anonymous on 2/2/06 9:37am
Msg #93295

I now have 3 cats

. . .out of about 20 total over the years. I had one with what the vet called a "bad mouth." Kiki had bad breath, kept losing teeth, in spite of repeated cleanings, eventually got an ulcer on her tongue. Vet said her saliva was probably not as protective as is usual with animals.

However, he also recommended hard food over soft for tartar prevention. You can also try brushing your cat's teeth by wrapping your index finger in layers of gauze, wetting it and rubbing it with a little - a little! - baking soda paste - if the cat will stand for it. None of mine will.

Don't rely on repeated vet teeth cleanings - some animals don't respond well to anesthesia.

Ask me anything about cats, I have a friend with 10, another with 8. I was smart enough to stop at 3 because I'm not all that fond of cleaning litter boxes!

Reply by BrendaTx on 2/1/06 4:22pm
Msg #93091

Re: OT: cat experts... Hijacker here...

Our pets are some of the very best people I know.

Speaking of Pets...(Hmmm...there is no graceful way to hijack this thread to bend it toward me so please pretend you did not notice.)

I am bonding with my boy's black lab like I do on Mon and Wed. Yeah...here I am at his house...doing a little bit of payback to the boy. I am ...uh...going thru his stuff, checking out every file on his computer...looking under beds, in closets, in trash cans.

I get to do that EVERY Mon and Wed. (j/k...I was confused - that's MY mother who does that--however, I have other ways to remind him...)

Little Ty is nine months old today. His dad is back hammering away at grad school again. So he cannot come in at lunch to see his dog child. He does not want to leave him in his kennel from 7:30 am until 6:30 pm and I don't either...so, that is how I got a key. Revenge is soooo sweet.

After Ty and I get through playing I rummage through his food and select anything that might be worthwhile, open it and leave it out to ruin. Yep...like his favorite - Chocolate milk. Get that new carton out and pour half a glass. Leave them both precariously balanced on his ironing board. (Throwing my head back to laugh wickedly.) I want the milk to spoil. Maybe Ty will ram the ironing board and tip off the milk to crash and cover the floor of his utility room.

Here's what else I can do...yep, I will slip a few of his most important tools he uses regularly into my purse, pack the last quarter of a bottle of his Tide into my notary bag, snag a few movies off of his very neatly arrange media collection, decide I don't like them, do not put back in their pristine cases, but rather throw them down in the floor where they might (no they WILL) get stepped on. (I am literally tingling at the fun this is.)

Then, I get the last two diet cokes out of the fridge, open one and take two sips of it and make sure to leave lipstick marks on it so he knows I did it. I will drink the last one on my way home. Ha ha.

There is a well hidden place by right by his new recliner where I will carelessly leave the coke and he will see the can about the time the last drip drains onto the skirt of his new chair--oh no...is that the arm cover down there too??

Next, I reflect on the parties which took place in my house (after many promises none would) I left town on the weekend for one night very few times without my mom there. By this was when Rob was 16-17 and a jr. in hs. The older "good" son-- 5 yrs older --would "help" out and be there. He was the greatest big brother in the world...best son...just perfect.

Yeah, so I always believed my boys and they bamboozled me every time. Jason sucked up to me and promised he'd keep an eye on the "little" ones--go have a good time...you deserve it. Uh huh.

I did not know that there had been a party each time until I was missing a very nice dinner ring and it's two carats (sp?)of diamonds.

Of course, in every small redneck town there kids who are thugs and thieves, meth heads looking for something to pawn, kleptomaniacs, window peepers, teen girls who just want to go through Rob's mom's stuff and see what she's got. And, once the party started there was no one watching to see who was pouring in off the street.

Before I came home, of course, the kids would police my room to make sure I would not be able to tell that there had been a serious social event going on. Once I did suspect there was something amiss before the ring.

The top of the commode tank mysteriously wound up broken in two. None of the boys were aware of anything happening because they were studying, watching National Geographic,
and doing their Sunday School lessons, you see. Don't know HOW that happened.

Okay, it's almost time to leave. Ty came in and with MUDDY feet he tracked up the floor. From where I sit, I can see a couple of young men hanging out at the bus stop down the street. They are wearing wife beaters even in this cool weather. Also, I see a couple of tattoos...more like a couple on every limb, neck, hand and face.

I am going to go get their attention and ask if they need some stuff to sell. I will let them in, look around in here and 'just chill' with me BUT I will be outside with Ty and have no idea what they are doing in the house. As long as they leave within a couple of hours.

Maybe I can have them a key made.

Naw....it's all been a revenge fantasy...however, there is some mud to clean up in the hall. Heh heh. Granny strikes again.

I look forward to Monday.

Reply by Charm_AL on 2/1/06 4:28pm
Msg #93092

Re: OT: cat experts... Hijacker here...

HAHA!!! Oh the fantasy of it all. I wish I could get into my 23 yr old's apartment and fix up a few things!

Reply by TitleGalCA on 2/1/06 4:43pm
Msg #93101

Re: OT: cat experts... Hijacker here...

Why is it always the lid to the commode?? I mean, what do they DO with a lid to a commode? Something about young men and their aim? Something about the whole potty thing? Enquiring minds want to know (make that mother's minds).

Don't forget the holes in the newly wallpapered entry way, you know the one you worked on for days to get the stripes straight....the hole being the perfect size of the fist of son's best friend who's girlfriend just broke up...

Oh, I can't wait for my turn!!!

Reply by Charles_Ca on 2/1/06 5:53pm
Msg #93116

Re: OT: cat experts... Hijacker here...1st one is commonly

referred to as male prerogative but I believe it has a lot more to do with lack of training in the area of sensitivity on the behalf of the males insisting on it. No one taught them to obey the human Primary Directive: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Don't mess up what you don't clean! Actually I think the second problem stems from the same lack of training as the first.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 2/1/06 10:10pm
Msg #93184

Re: OT: cat experts... Hijacker here...1st one is commonly

Agree Charles! And here's the sad part...I did so with my own (or so I thought). Now, my lack thereof has come back to haunt me, albeit part-time. It doesn't make it any less...annoying.

Kudos to anyone who practices the Golden Rule, male or female...especially when it comes to bathrooms.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/2/06 1:36am
Msg #93217

If it turns out to be digestive problems, you might try giving your cat a teaspoon of canned pumpkin once or twice a day. (Yes, you read that right...) This was recommended to me by a vet for my long-hair cat originally for a diahrrea problem, but it aids their digestion in general - furballs, etc. She loves it, although it doesn't have a smell that attracts her, so I end up feeding it to her off my finger. (Well, she's 16, so I make allowances...) It seems to be a big help. BTW, I always feed both my cats dry food only (except for the little bit of pumpkin) -- and they are indoor cats only, which may be why they are both still alive!

Good for you for adopting a mature cat and good luck!!

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 2/2/06 4:17am
Msg #93222

important info about pet foods

You would be disgusted, apalled, nauseated & outraged if you learned what I've learned about the industry - and I never miss a chance to spread the word. You can research the rendering industry, LEARN what every ingredient is and what your pet needs, it's all there for the searching ...

or you can take this short-cut, go to: http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=tools-tab
First, bottom box "other tools" has "Ingredient wizard", then use "comparison wizard"

Or skip right to the chase - NO Purina, Iams, Hills Science Diet. YES: Dick Van Patten's, Prairie, Felidae or Canidae, Chicken Soup Dog/Cat Lovers (except variety w/ corn). Yes, they ALL cost more - the reasons make that obvious.

Reply by Marlene_USNA on 2/2/06 9:45am
Msg #93300

Re: don't change your pet's diet suddenly. . .

from one to another even if Science Diet does disgust you now! Start mixing new with old, gradually switch to new by end of a week.