5 Quick Tips on What to do About Scary Cat Odors

Is your house haunted by scary cat odors? Is your cute cat really the source of those alarming aromas? Here are a few ways you can exorcise those ghastly gases from your home.

 

Oral Hygiene

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 70% of cats already have dental disease by the time they are 3 years old. Not only does dental disease cause bad kitty breath, but it can also lead to tooth loss, pain, and infection. Avoid dental disease and “kitty” breath by promoting good oral hygiene in your cats. Take your pet to the veterinarian for yearly examinations. Your veterinarian will check your cat’s mouth and teeth and let you know if professional dental cleaning is necessary. Help keep their teeth clean in between visits with regular brushing using pet-safe toothpaste.

Yes, you can brush your cat’s teeth and it’s not as scary as you may think. Cat toothpaste comes in some amazing flavors like seafood, tuna and chicken. What’s not to like? Promote good habits by starting early with your kitten so that brushing becomes part of the daily routine.

 

Grooming

Having a luxurious coat comes with a cost. Besides the daily brushing and frequent grooming necessary to keep their coat beautiful and free of mats, cats with long coats need extra care, from top to “bottom.” As anyone who has a cat with a long coat knows, pets with long hair often get “dingle berries,” the illustrative name given to stool caught in their hair. Besides the obvious problem with odor, this can cause more serious issues like skin irritations and infections. To prevent this smelly and embarrassing problem from occurring, keep your cat’s bottom clean and trimmed.

Some veterinarians and groomers offer “sanitary clips” that can keep this vulnerable area groomed to prevent issues. While cats rarely need a bath because they are meticulous self-groomers, they do occasionally get dirty and need a good cleaning. Be sure to use a pet shampoo that is tear-free and gentle on your cat’s skin and fur. If your cat really hates baths, consider a waterless pet shampoo.

 

Waste Management

Cats are naturally clean animals. They groom themselves. They use a litterbox. But they don’t use a toilet and they certainly don’t flush. To prevent your home from smelling like a landfill, follow these simple steps. First, choose a high-quality litter for your cat, like ökocat. ökocat is made from natural wood fibers that absorb urine on contact and stop the creation of smelly ammonia. Second, scoop the litter box or boxes daily to control unwanted odors and encourage healthy litter box use. Third, dispose of the waste promptly. Following these steps will allow you to have a cat without having your house smell scary.

 

Messes

Clean up any pet messes immediately and use high quality cleaners to eliminate odors. Pets occasionally have accidents. Be sure all accidents are cleaned up right away with a pet odor eliminating cleaner. Cats will often soil in the same area if it wasn’t cleaned sufficiently, and they can still smell the odor. Likewise, anyone that has a cat knows they occasionally vomit too. Using a good pet cleaner is key to cleaning up surprises left by our feline friends and removing those unpleasant odors.

 

Health Check.

Finally, odors can be a sign of disease. Dental disease, ear infections, oral tumors, anal gland impactions, and skin infections are just a few of the diseases that can cause pet odors. If you detect a new smell or odor emanating from your pet, be sure to have your cat checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible. 

Odors can be scary but by following these tips, you can rid your home of spooky smells.

 

The makers of okocat® natural litter are not only dedicated to making the best cat litter, they are also committed to helping cats live longer, healthier lives. By providing educational articles like this one, they hope to educate pet parents about important cat health topics.