Cat Mouth Pain Home Remedies

Pet cats often suffer from dental diseases and other issues that can cause mouth pain, but you may not realize that they're in discomfort. If you see your cat drooling excessively, pawing at its mouth, or turning its head to one side while eating, there's usually a problem. Bad breath is another sign of problems. Most feline mouth problems can't be fixed at home, but you can alleviate your pet's discomfort until you can take it to the vet.

  1. Examination

    • If you see signs of mouth pain in your cat, you need to do a home examination. Cats usually have mouth pain from a broken or decayed tooth, but may also develop sores in their mouths, or simply get something stuck in their teeth. Examine your cat's mouth as gently as you can, running a cotton swab along the gum line. If you see a foreign object, try to remove it. This may relieve the pain.

    Anesthetic

    • Topical anesthetics may reduce your cat's pain. You can apply infant teething products directly to your cat's gums in very small amounts. If possible, phone your vet to find out which products could cause a bad reaction. Avoid clove oil and other essential oils, which may make your cat sick, and never administer aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen to your cat. These human medications are toxic and can sicken or even kill your pet.

    Antiseptic

    • Your cat may also get some relief if you reduce the bacteria population in its mouth. Antiseptic rinses and gels are available for cats that suffer from gingivitis, and can be purchased from a vet or a pet supply store. Never use human products, since they may make your cat sick. If no antiseptic rinse is available, rinse your cat's mouth gently with water to remove built-up food and bacterial plaque. This won't fix the problem, but it may provide some relief.