Companion Cats and Dental Disease

Dental disease is the most common health problem in companion cats, affecting an estimated 70% of cats over age three, yet it is frequently undiagnosed and untreated despite causing chronic pain.

Key Facts

Periodontal disease affects approximately 70% of cats by age three
Cats rarely show obvious signs of dental pain — they continue eating even with severe oral disease
Tooth resorption — a painful condition where teeth dissolve from the inside — affects 30 to 40% of adult cats
Annual professional dental cleaning under anesthesia is recommended by veterinary dental specialists
Home tooth brushing significantly reduces plaque accumulation and disease progression
Untreated dental disease is associated with heart, kidney, and liver disease through bacteremia

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease in cats is a silent welfare epidemic. Unlike humans or dogs, cats rarely stop eating even when their mouths contain multiple painful fractured or resorbing teeth. Owners interpret continued eating as evidence that no dental pain exists — a misreading that leaves millions of cats in chronic oral pain. Veterinary dental assessments require anesthesia for proper evaluation, creating a cost and risk barrier that leads to underdiagnosis. The welfare solution requires better veterinary communication about dental disease prevalence, owner education about pain assessment, and more accessible dental care options for cat owners.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual veterinary dental assessments including examination under anesthesia
Introduce tooth brushing to your cat using gradual positive reinforcement from kittenhood
Ask your vet specifically about tooth resorption and periodontal disease at wellness checks
Do not assume your cat has no dental pain because they are still eating
Provide dental health diets or chews as a supplement to professional dental care