What Makes My Cat Smell?

Do you own a cat that stinks? Cats are typically noted for being tidy. The majority are meticulous self-groomers, which maintains them clean and odor-free.

 However, occasionally you could notice that your cat smells unpleasant. While some cat scents are harmless or simple to treat, others may indicate a health issue.

What Makes My Cat Smell?

Finding the source of the smell is the best method to learn why your cat stinks. Is your cat merely odorous in the head or face region? a back end?

 Do you detect an odor throughout the entire coat or only in one area? The first step in solving the issue with your stinky cat is to ask these questions. Your chances of successfully assisting your cat will increase after you identify the source of the stink.

Causes of Cat Odors

There are numerous possible causes of unpleasant scents in cats. You might be able to identify the odor's source once you can pinpoint its position. 

Your cat will frequently require a trip to the vet. It's still crucial to get in touch with your vet even if you are unable to identify the smell's origin.

Mouth

Some individuals believe that halitosis or foul breath in cats is commonplace. However, persistent bad breath in cats is frequently an indication of a medical issue. Something the cat ate could be the cause of momentary mouth smells.

dental illness is likely the most typical reason why cats have terrible breath. The bacteria in plaque and tartar buildup give forth an unpleasant smell. The accumulation may result in tooth loss by causing gum disease and gingivitis.

wounds, growths, and ulcers If left untreated, the mouth may start to develop an unpleasant odor. These can get worse by oral bacteria. Stomatitis or another issue could be the reason behind these lesions. 

These not only smell horribly unpleasant, but cats typically find them to be very uncomfortable. Additionally, severe kidney illness or uncontrolled diabetes can cause bad breath.

Back end

The anus is likely the source of the bad smell if it's coming from the region at the base of the tail. If you think any of the following problems exist, get veterinary medical attention right away:

Both humans and animals, including cats, experience flatulence on occasion. There can be a digestive issue if your cat is constantly passing gas or smells horrible.

Loose stool can be left behind by diarrhea in the area of the back. If diarrhea persists, the cat might find it challenging to maintain proper grooming. It's time to visit the vet if your cat has experienced diarrhea for two or more days.

Stool builds up in the colon as a result of constipation, making it difficult for the cat to urinate. Even though the liquid feces can occasionally pass, the hard, impacted stool may not. 

This can be applied to your cat's rear end and tends to smell particularly bad. This causes the cat a great deal of discomfort and may occasionally indicate a more serious health problem.

Anal glands are teeny sacs that are situated near the cat's anus. They generally release an oily, foul-smelling fluid with a fishy undertone when one defecates. 

Similar to a skunk's scent glands, the fluid may also be secreted in response to extreme excitement, stress, or terror. The anal glands may occasionally swell up, contract an infection, or develop an obstruction. 

Some of the fluid may leak out, leaving a cat with an extremely unpleasant odor that won't seem to go away. These cats may scoot, massage their behinds, or excessively lick their anuses.

Perianal fistulas are wounds with a tunnel-like structure in and around the anal region. Despite being relatively uncommon in cats, these conditions can be pretty dangerous.

 Perianal fistulas are very unpleasant and smell awful. They frequently call for surgical intervention and can result in or accompany other GI issues. 

Body and Clothes

It may be an issue with the skin and coat if your cat's odor seems to be emanating from all over the body. If your cat is obviously unclean, a bath can be beneficial. If your cat appears to be quite clean, there might be more going on. To treat your cat's skin ailment, go to a veterinarian.

A cat with skin diseases may smell awful all over. The cat may have a thinning coat and obviously inflamed skin if the infection is severe. After petting a cat with a severe skin infection, your hands may develop a greasy, unpleasant coating. Typically, bacterial or fungal overgrowth is what gives off the odor.

Skin wounds may remain unnoticed and infected because of the hair. This could result in a wound discharge (pus) that has a bad odor. Try running your fingers through the coat and feeling for wounds if your cat's body smells awful but you can't seem to locate the culprit. Visit your veterinarian as soon as you can if you locate one.

Ears

An excessive amount of yeast, bacteria, or ear mites can result in ear infections. Your cat may scratch and shake its head, in addition to its ears smelling awful. 

Examine the interior to check for any debris, as this is frequently a sign of an ear infection. Visit your veterinarian as soon as possible to find out if an ear infection is present and to start the proper course of treatment.

urinary issues

When there is a problem, cat urine's strong ammonia-like odor might become even more overpowering. Urine that has urinary tract infections can smell particularly foul. 

 Your cat may smell like urine or pee due to incontinence or an inability to control urination. It's crucial to visit the vet to identify the cause if your cat smells like urine.

When to Contact a Vet

Keep in mind that cats are masters at hiding their illnesses. If there are any symptoms of sickness, it might already be too late. If you see any early symptoms of disease or a strange odor that won't go away, make sure to call your veterinarian.