Companion Animals

Dental Disease and Cat Welfare

Dental disease is extremely common in cats and a significant but frequently undertreated source of chronic pain.

Key Facts

An estimated 70-85% of cats over 3 years of age have some degree of dental disease
Feline oral resorptive lesions affect around 28-67% of cats and are very painful
Cats rarely show obvious pain even with severe dental disease
Professional dental cleaning under general anaesthesia is the gold standard treatment
At-home tooth brushing reduces plaque and tartar when started early

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease causes significant chronic pain in cats, yet is frequently undetected because cats rarely exhibit obvious pain signs. Feline oral resorptive lesions are particularly painful, causing tooth structure to break down from within. Regular veterinary dental examination and appropriate treatment, including extraction of affected teeth, dramatically improves quality of life for affected cats.

What You Can Do

Include dental examination as part of your cat's regular veterinary check-up
Watch for subtle signs of dental pain including reduced grooming and food preference changes
Begin toothbrushing in kittens to establish dental care habits
Ask your vet about dental assessment under anaesthesia if disease is suspected
Provide dental treats or water additives that support oral hygiene