Home Treatment for Cat Stomatitis and Mouth Sores

Stomatitis in Cats

Stomatitis stems from the latin word 'stoma' meaning mouth. It is a very painful, ongoing inflammation and ulcerated condition of the soft tissues (mucus membranes) in the mouth. In conventional medicine this condition is often very difficult to cure or to control. In chronic cases veterinarians sometimes recommend extracting all of the molar teeth. All cats can be at risk.

This disease is also known as Gingivitis-Stomatitis-Pharyngitis (GSPC), Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic. Feline stomatitis can cause severe pain, appetite loss, depression, irritability and a desire to hide or be alone.

Symptoms of stomatitis:

Excessive drooling
Halitosis (bad breath)
Bleeding gums
Difficulty eating, swallowing, loss of appetite, or anorexia. The cat may be very hungry, but the pain makes it impossible for the cat to eat.
Weight loss
Stops grooming
Avoids being touched or held

Natural Supplements for Feline Stomatitis

For Mouth Inflammation and Unhealthy Gums

Vitmain B, from a non-yeast source. Avoid using nutritional yeast products. This may make the cat more prone to mouth thrush (yeast infections, candida). Studies report that an evening dose of vitamin-B12 helps to reduce mouth ulcers and it decreases recurring outbreaks. Though Vitamin-B12 was used exclucively in the studies, we recommend a B-complex supplement instead of an isolated B vitamin because other B vitamin deficiencies such as thiamine (vitamin-B1) and vitamin-B6 have also been linked to recurrent mouth ulcers. B vitamins are healing to cells, eyes, the entire gastrointestinal tract, hair, liver, nervous system, mouth and skin.

You can use a human B complex vitamin (mixed into food) at half the human dose.

Whole food sources of vitamin B complex that you can add to improve the diet are alfalfa, eggs, fish, fruit, kelp, meat, meaty bones (chicken or turkey necks), veggies, ground nuts.

Acidophilus or mixed culture. Use powdered supplements. Feeding live probiotic containing foods like live cultured yogurt can also help treat mouth sores due to their healing effect on the digestive system.

Depending on the size of the cat you could give one to three quarters the human dose.

Vitamin E: cats: 50 IU, daily. If the cat will allow it, the oil can also be rubbed on the gums to speed healing and reduce inflammation.

Vitamin A: Depending on the size of the cat, 2000 to 5,000 mg for gum inflammation. Use three times weekly. If the cat has or has had a history of liver problems, decrease the dosage by half (1,000 mg 2 times weekly).

You can also improve the diet with whole food sources of vitamin A such as alfalfa, cod-liver oil, eggs, fruit, fish, kelp, meat, meaty chicken or turkey necks, pulverized vegetables. Vitamin A strengthens bones (teeth are bones) hair, immune and respiratory system, skin and soft tissues.

Zinc: 5 to 15 mg daily. This is especially helpful for inflamed, red, sore gums.

Alfalfa tablets or Bone meal (lead free tested): To add additional calcium to help strengthen bone around the teeth. Cats: 1/4 teaspoon daily.

Kelp or Dulce Powder: cats: 1/8 teaspoon daily.

C0-Enzyme Q10, an antioxidant developed in Japan that is used for healing the mucous membranes. Q10 has a real affinity for the gums. Cats: 5 to 10 mg daily.

Pancreatic Enzymes, to aid digestion. Depending on the size of the cat, use one third to one half the human dosage.

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Holistic Diet for Cats with Stomatitis

This is the most important factor to initiating a cure. Recommended foods that strengthen the kidney and stomach include barley, millet, baby creamed corn, well cooked brown rice (see link below), asparagus, lentils, kidney beans, string beans, celery, ground pork (with very little fat), sardines and eggs. Raw beef cut into small chunks can also be given. AVOID dry foods completely, processed dry foods will create excess heat and fat in the cat's body which can lead to more inflammation. If you can't avoid dry feeding, switch to a higher quality brand that uses "human grade food" in their processing, choose one containing highly digestible proteins and that is lower in fat. Supplement this food with small amounts of the (well cooked) cooling grains listed above. Use this link for instructions on how to cook grains for cats. If you are feeding a homemade diet the ideal ratio of foods would be 60% muscle meat protein, 10% organ meat, 20% finely ground (pulverized) raw or steamed mashed vegetable and 10% cooked grain.

Foods to avoid: Acetic foods and gluten. Gluten allergies can cause gastrointestinal and mouth ulcers. Gluten is a compound present in grains like wheat, barley, oats, and rye.

Homeopathy for Feline Stomatitis

To heal and prevent the return of feline stomatitis, use the homeopathic remedies and dosage guidelines suggested for dental disease, plaque and gingivitis, on the Homeopathy to the Rescue Chart for Cats.

For additional home treatments and natural healing programs specific to feline healthcare, we recommend using the complete series of Pet Remedy Charts for cats.

Please Note: Any information given in this website is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice. Anyone with an animal with a medical condition requiring veterinary attention should consult a qualified DVM practitioner or veterinary emergency care clinic.

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