If your Siamese cat is a bit pongy there are two things you can so. Firstly, you can try and ignore it and just hope the smell goes away by itself or secondly, investigate why your Siamese might be smelling. Don’t take the first option.
It’s most likely that the smell is only going to be temporary and there’s probably nothing to worry about but sometimes, unfortunately it can be a symptom of an issue that needs fixing – either by the owner (most likely you) or from a professional (a vet). Whichever option you choose, the process starts with an investigation into the root cause – carried out by you.
Why does my Siamese smell? Your Siamese cat is smelling bad as it probably has a problem related to its skin or bacterial infection. It might have dental issues that can cause the offensive odor or other reasons, listed here. Find what’s causing the smell by inspecting your Siamese cat and then decide how to proceed.
Is the Siamese cat different from other cats?
If you’re an owner of a Siamese cat then I think you already know the answer to this! Yes, the Siamese cat is very different from other cats – well, at least in their personality. However, at the end of the day, domestic cats across breeds are pretty much the same.
However, is there anything about the Siamese cat that might explain why it smells more than other cats? Well, as you may have guessed – the answer is no. You could argue that its lack of fur could create some issues but actually, this helps you more than hinder you.
So, with this said – we know we don’t particularly have to worry about anything specifically related to the Siamese cat and we can just focus on problems any cat might have in this area, so let’s dig a bit deeper…
What are the main reasons a Siamese cat will smell?
Initially, as you begin your investigation you will need to establish, as best as you can, what kind of smell it is and where it is most likely coming from. Both of these things may or may not be simple to establish.
Let me give you an example, does it smell like urine or excrement? Where is the smell emanating from? Do you only notice it when they open their little mouths or is the problem perhaps coming from the opposite end?
Below, I’ve listed some of the more common and obvious issues to help you try and narrow down what the issue is and also – what you can do about it.
Dental problems causing your Siamese cat to smell
Dental hygiene is often overlooked in cats (as it is in dogs and arguably humans) and actually, being honest this is something we didn’t look at enough when our two were kittens many years ago. There can be quite a few reasons why your Siamese cat might have stinky breath. But actually, if you think about it – if you were to eat some of the things they ate then your breath would probably stink too!
So, if your cat’s breath stinks of cat food – then perhaps that’s just because they’ve eaten cat food! On a side note, why can’t these manufacturers make cat food that doesn’t smell so bad? Maybe it’s because if they did, we might eat it with them!
Another name for Bad breath is Halitosis and is more common in cats than you might think. According to this article at the Cornell Feline Health Center, more than half of all cats up to the age of around 4 years old might suffer from some kind of dental problem. These could be:
- Gingivitis is noticeable by the gums of your Siamese cat becoming rather swollen around their teeth and this is often caused by the buildup of plaque. This, however, can be treated (as it is for us) by ensuring that you brush their teeth and you can see more about this in our article here. Let me tell you though, it’s a lot easier to start brushing them from when they were a little kitten rather than waiting to start when they are older!
- Periodontitis is what can happen to your Siamese cat’s teeth if gingivitis is left untreated for some time. This can be more serious and will be noticeable by your cat eating their food from one side of their mouth (their head will tip to one side during chewing). A visit to the vet is necessary for this as the plaque will need to be scraped away but also, teeth may also need to be extracted.
- Tooth resorption – this is the most common cause of tooth loss in all cats and can occur when the main structure of the tooth begins to break down. It can be identified by a pink tint in the tooth where it meets the gums. This can be painful for your Siamese cat and you will need to take them to the vets to treat it.
Other problems that can cause musky or smelly breath may stem from other issues, such as liver or kidney problems but this, you will be pleased to know, is much rarer. Note that these problems don’t always manifest in the same way but if your Siamese cat is experiencing other problems like vomiting then you should take them in to see your vet asap.
There are many such problems that may cause a bad smell from your cat’s mouth and in the above, I’ve listed just a few. I would say that I think the thing to take out of this is that if the issue is not easily identifiable and the foul stink continues, then you need to seek help – don’t linger on it, especially if they are acting differently!
A Bladder Infection
A bladder infection can be identified by a smell that is similar to smelly feet! It can also smell like urine and the thing to look out for here is whether they’ve managed to get urine on their skin. I’ve occasionally noticed this with ours, especially when it’s really windy outside!
These bladder problems can happen for no ‘obvious’ reason but they are more common in an older cat. With a bladder problem, you might notice your Siamese cat is urinating more frequently and if possible, take a look at the color of this. If it has a pinkish hint to it then it may be because it has blood within it.
If you notice any of these issues then you need to take your Siamese to a vet. In the meantime, try to get them to drink as much water as possible – easier said than done, right?
Litter Box related?
Well, maybe this one should be a little easier to diagnose! It’s very important to keep their litter tray clean if they use one. If it’s not cleaned a few times a day then it’s possible that when they use it they can sit in some of the previous mess and it can stick to their skin.
Or, when your Siamese cat is burying their excrement they can sweep some of what is still there from earlier onto themselves. At least on a Siamese cat, with its short fur, this is easily spotted!
I would suggest that the best idea is to get the kind of cat litter that clumps up after use. This will make it so much easier to clean up and also the better quality cat litter will not smell as bad as most of the others.
If you want to know what I would recommend, it would be this over at Amazon. It’s not just me that rates it though – check out those reviews!
Is your Siamese cat spraying?
Your Siamese cat should be neutered but if they are not you may discover that they are spraying. You may know this, but you will notice this behavior by them backing up to an object, lifting their tail up and spraying a small amount of urine on it.
Their tail will most likely quiver whilst they are doing this and they are doing it to mark their territory.
It should be said though that it’s not just un-neutered cats that display this behavior so if you notice your Siamese cat is smelling of urine it may be because of this. When they are spraying, some of the urine can bounce off the surface they are aiming at and land back on them. Yuk!
If your Siamese is spraying inside, they are obviously doing it for a reason. They are probably feeling anxious and stressed about something so making a big fuss about it isn’t going to help.
I would say that the best solution for this is to clean up the area that they have sprayed and try and make your cat more relaxed. Do try and spend more time with them and try and understand why they are feeling so anxious.
Cat food Disagreement that causes your Siamese to smell
Siamese cats, like us, can have stomachs that won’t agree with what’s just been put inside it. So, if you notice that your cat is having stomach problems (which in-turn is causing rather nasty smells) then change their food.
Take a look at the food you’re providing and think about changing to a higher quality product with more natural ingredients. Perhaps try something like this high protein product (opens in a new tab). Switch their food over to something like this and you should see the results within a couple of days. If you don’t, get them looked at by your vet, especially if you notice other behavioral problems.
Skin problems
A lot of the time, skin problems are a symptom of something else rather than the cause – such as a wound or a parasite. This wound may not be noticeable to you initially.
Your Siamese cat may have been involved in a fight (as they enjoy going outside so much, these are at some point inevitable) and may have developed an abscess. These can rupture which may cause an extremely unpleasant smell due to the pus that is being released.
Ear problems
This one is a little easier to find than some of the others we’ve spoken about! Although not all ear-related problems have an associated nasty smell, some do. These can come about if your Siamese cat has an allergy which can cause a small amount of yeast to form. This is a very distinctive smell – as you may discover.
Other situations where ear infections might come about is when they have been in a scrap, been bitten on the ear and then an infection has developed.
Alternatively, they might get ear mites and you could first get a sign that something isn’t right when they start scratching one (or both) their ears more than usual. Although this can be treatable at home, it is best to talk to your vet about it. The ear will need to be thoroughly cleaned and monitored for around a week or possibly a little more.
Infected Anal glands making your Siamese cat smell
That sounds nasty, right? Actually, Siamese cats (as well as all cats) can have many issues relating to their anal glands. They can get an infection or develop an abscess for instance.
If you think this is happening then there’s not much you can do from home so get them to your vet as soon as possible. They will probably be in discomfort and your vet may be able to fix the problem just by using some antibiotics.
If you believe they are required, try these green-friendly Pogi hypoallergenic Pet Wipes to wipe clean the affected area. You will find that not only can it clean the affected area but it will remove the nasty smell.
Summary of these reasons
These are just a few of the problems that can cause your Siamese cat to smell nasty. They don’t have the same sense of smell as us but they will be aware of something not being quite right, just not in the same way that we would be!
At the end of the day, common sense is your friend here. The first thing is to identify the smell (not difficult) but the important part is to find the root cause which can sometimes be tricky. If you can’t find it and especially if they are acting differently, just get them in to see the professional.
Do Siamese cats fart?
A bad smell might mean your Siamese cat has farted. Like all cats and most other living beings, Siamese cats can suffer from occasional flatulence and sometimes the odor is very unpleasant! It makes you wonder what some cat food contains to cause such a stink.
When Siamese cats fart they don’t usually make a sound. Apparently cats don’t make a noise when they pass wind because they don’t gulp as much air down when they eat.
Can a Siamese cat sweat?
You may be wondering whether the smell comes from the Siamese cat perspiring. But then you might think, hang on, do cats even sweat?
Well yes, cats (including the Siamese cat) do sweat but it’s more difficult for them.
The place where a cat has most of their sweat glands is actually in their paws!
Generally, though, the way a Siamese cat will cool down is by relaxing and doing as little as possible in the shade.
In my experience, cat perspiration is not a cause for a nasty smell!
What’s the best way to get rid of cat smells?
The very best way for you to get rid of the smell is to find the root cause and ‘fix it’. This is also the best way for your Siamese cat as the smell could be indicative of something not quite right.
If you’re serious about clean air in your home though and want to get rid of any cat-like smells, then there’s only one thing I can recommend. You have to take a look at the Hathaspace Air Defuser on Amazon. It was a little more than I wanted to spend but with this, you get what you pay for and with this – you’re only paying once. Do consider checking it out as it really does remove some of the worst smells known to man!
Are you imagining the smell?
It’s unlikely but there is a chance that you’re actually not smelling what you think you’re smelling. If you can’t see any obvious problems with your Siamese cat and they are eating, drinking and acting normally then perhaps you should consider something else, as bizarre as it is.
Get a friend or someone whose opinion you can trust and ask them to come into your home and tell you what they can smell. People have been known to smell things that aren’t actually there and the smell is totally in their head!
Then, as if by magic – when told by a reliable source that there’s no such smell, it disappears! I know it sounds a bit crazy and I’ve certainly never experienced it but do consider getting a second opinion if you can’t see anything wrong.
Summary
It’s probably nothing to worry about. More often than not when a Siamese smells it is because it has some excrement or urine stuck to its skin after going to the toilet. Other than this, dental problems may be a concern but are usually quite easily fixed with a visit to your vet.
The main thing to take out of this article is to not ignore the smell. Find out what’s causing it and then fix it.