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Mouth ulcers in cats
Quick answer
**Mouth ulcers are painful and often stop cats eating.** Drooling, bad breath, pawing at the mouth and food dropping from the jaw are common signs. Because cats can develop **fatty liver disease** when they stop eating, painful mouths need **prompt vet assessment** — not a wait-and-see approach.
Key takeaways
- Common causes include dental disease, feline calicivirus (FCV), feline chronic gingivostomatitis, kidney disease, and burns from chewing toxic plants or chemicals. Your vet needs an oral exam to identify the cause.
- Signs include drooling, bad breath, pawing at the mouth, dropping food, weight loss, and reluctance to eat. Some cats hide or become grumpy when touched near the face.
- Cats that stop eating for more than 24 hours risk hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver). Mouth pain that prevents eating needs same-day veterinary assessment — do not wait several days.
The full guide
Causes, symptoms, treatment options and when to call your vet — in the complete plain-English guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What causes mouth ulcers in cats?
- Common causes include dental disease, feline calicivirus (FCV), feline chronic gingivostomatitis, kidney disease, and burns from chewing toxic plants or chemicals. Your vet needs an oral exam to identify the cause.
- How do I know if my cat has mouth ulcers?
- Signs include drooling, bad breath, pawing at the mouth, dropping food, weight loss, and reluctance to eat. Some cats hide or become grumpy when touched near the face.
- Are mouth ulcers an emergency in cats?
- Cats that stop eating for more than 24 hours risk hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver). Mouth pain that prevents eating needs same-day veterinary assessment — do not wait several days.