Companion Animals

Feline Dental Disease and Welfare

Dental disease affects an estimated 70-85% of cats over three years of age and is one of the most common sources of chronic pain in companion cats, frequently under-recognised due to cats masking pain.

Key Facts

Periodontal disease is the most common disease diagnosed in cats at veterinary examinations
Resorptive lesions affect up to 60% of adult cats and cause significant tooth pain
Cats rarely stop eating even with severe dental disease, leading owners to underestimate the problem
Professional dental scaling under anaesthesia is the only effective treatment for established dental disease

Welfare Considerations

Feline dental disease causes chronic oral pain that affects eating behaviour, social interaction and quality of life. Because cats evolved to hide pain as prey species, dental disease can progress to severe stages before owners notice obvious signs. Regular veterinary dental examinations and early intervention prevent chronic suffering from this highly prevalent condition.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual dental examinations as part of routine veterinary care from three years of age
Introduce tooth brushing with feline enzymatic toothpaste from kittenhood as prevention
Seek dental treatment promptly when disease is diagnosed rather than delaying until clinical signs worsen
Learn to recognise subtle signs of dental pain including food dropping, head tilting and reduced grooming