My Cat Smells Like Death: 5 Reasons & What to Do (Vet Answer)

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Saying that something smells like death can mean different things to different people, but it’s usually just a creative, if dark, way of saying that something smells really bad. Since cats are normally “groom first and ask questions later” animals, if your kitty smells like death or otherwise has a foul odor, you likely find it quite strange. It can mean that something is wrong with your pet and so warrants an investigation.

Here, we break down the potential causes of bad odor based on where it’s coming from and explain what you can do to help freshen up your cat.

The 5 Reasons That Your Cat Might Smell Like Death

1. Rear End Odors

While the rear end isn’t usually a place that smells like fresh linen or roses, it isn’t an area that normally has a stink cloud following it either. If you’re noticing an overly potent scent of cat poo, it could be that your cat isn’t cleaning themselves properly, a common problem among long-haired kitties. Arthritis or an injury can make it painful to contort their bodies to reach their rear. See your vet if your cat goes ungroomed for more than a couple of days or if you notice any other signs of pain.

Anal glands may also be the source of rear-end odor. When impacted or infected, they can leak out a fishy smell, potentially along with an oily or colored discharge. Your vet can express the anal glands to get rid of the smell.

Your cat’s rear-end odor could also be due to gas. A small amount of gas is a normal part of the digestive process, but excessive gas to the point that you’re noticing it could be due to a change in food, constipation, digestive upset (often with diarrhea), or eating something that they shouldn’t have. If your kitty is showing any other signs, such as not eating, vomiting, or diarrhea, see your veterinarian.

2. Mouth Odors

A healthy kitty’s mouth usually has a faint scent of cat food. The mouth of a cat that is suffering from dental disease may instead have the faint (or strong!) smell of death. Dental disease is extremely common in felines, often causing bad breath, difficulty eating, brown spots on the teeth, and red gums. If untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and even infections in other parts of the body, such as the heart.

Do your best to prevent and treat dental disease by regularly brushing your cat’s teeth and having regular veterinary checkups and teeth cleanings.

3. Ear Odors

The mouth isn’t the only part of the head that can emit a smell of death; the ears may instead be to blame. A cat’s ear canal is dark and warm, so if moisture gets in there, it makes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast infections. Either can cause an odor along with greasy discharge, head shaking, and ear scratching and rubbing. Ear infections will need veterinary treatment because ear cleaners and medications are often prescribed.

Ear mites are another cause of ear infections in cats, though they usually don’t create an odor. Instead, you’ll see gritty brown discharge when you look in your cat’s ears and your pet will constantly be scratching at them.

4. Urine Odors

Cat urine smells bad normally, so can you imagine if it starts to smell worse? It can happen, especially if your cat has a urinary tract infection (UTI). Besides the smell, you may notice your kitty making more frequent visits to the litter box, only peeing small amounts at a time, crying when they use the litter box, or frequently licking their genitals. UTIs typically require antibiotics and potentially, a food change, so be sure to see your vet if you notice these signs, along with a particularly foul smell.

UTIs often cause urine to have a fishy smell, but a sweet smell to your cat’s pee could indicate diabetes, as extra blood glucose spills into the urine. Their pee may also look sticky, your cat may be eating less than normal, and they may have a sweet smell to their breath. Diabetes can be managed with a diet change and medication, so seeing your vet is the first step.

Cat urine with an overpowering ammonia smell could indicate that your cat is dehydrated or is having kidney problems. Either way, see your vet if your cat’s urine seems overly concentrated for longer than a couple of days or if they’re drinking more than normal.

5. Whole-Body Odors

Maybe you can’t quite pinpoint where the odor is coming from, or perhaps it’s literally coming from all over your cat’s body. Either way, whole-body odors likely have something to do with your cat’s skin or coat.

Grooming could be the issue, especially if something is making it uncomfortable for your cat to move like they normally would while getting their body clean. Look for other signs of pain, such as hiding, not eating, or crying out when you touch them in certain areas.

Whole-body odor can also be the result of skin issues. Allergies, infections, or parasites can make a cat’s skin red, bumpy, scaly, itchy, and smelly. You may also notice patches that are extra moist or oozy and your cat scratching or licking frequently.

It could be that your cat rolled in something noxious to your nose simply because they have a different definition of what smells good and bad than we do. While dogs are more likely to cover themselves in stinky things, it’s not unheard of for felines. A bath with a mild cat shampoo may be just what they need.

See your vet if your cat’s skin or hair is not what it used to be, especially if they are overly itchy, have a rash, or are smelly. Your vet will be able to determine the cause of the odor and any other signs and treat your pet accordingly.

What to Do If Your Cat Smells Like Death

Since cats normally like to keep themselves clean, a sudden change in their odor warrants further investigation. Take note of where the odor is coming from, along with any other signs of an issue. Anything severe, such as vomiting, not eating, diarrhea, frequent urination, or not pooping, means your cat should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may be able to wait for a few days to see if things get better. If your cat’s bad odor still lingers, consider seeing your vet even if they aren’t showing any other signs.

Conclusion

Your cat’s bad odor may be as simple as needing a bath to having extra gas due to their new diet. The cause could also be as common as an ear infection, dental disease, or a UTI, or it could be as serious as a back injury or kidney disease. See your vet any time that you have any concerns about your cat’s odor or any other issues that they may be showing so you can get them smelling and feeling better fast.

Featured Image Credit: Stanislaw Mikulski, Shutterstock