Dental disease affects the majority of cats over three years of age and causes chronic pain that significantly impairs quality of life, yet it remains profoundly underdiagnosed and undertreated because cats mask pain signs exceptionally well.
The chronic nature of dental disease in cats means that many individuals spend years in persistent pain without their owners or even their veterinarians recognising the extent of the problem. The dramatic improvement in demeanour, appetite and activity that many cats show after dental treatment reveals how significantly the pain was impairing their quality of life. The combination of stoic pain behaviour and the gradual onset of disease creates conditions where suffering accumulates unaddressed. Regular veterinary dental examination and prompt treatment when indicated are the most important welfare interventions. The economics of dental treatment — which requires anaesthesia — create barriers to access that leave many cats with untreated disease for extended periods.