Dental disease is one of the most common and underdiagnosed sources of chronic pain in cats, with an estimated 70 to 80 percent of cats over three years old showing some degree of periodontal disease.
Cats are stoic animals that instinctively mask pain, meaning dental disease frequently goes undetected for months or years while causing chronic oral discomfort. Cats with severe dental disease often continue eating because the alternative is starvation, not because they are pain-free. Behavioral changes such as reduced grooming, decreased activity, and food preference changes may be the only owner-visible signs. Annual veterinary examinations with oral assessment and periodic professional dental cleaning under anesthesia provide the best protection. The widespread belief that dental disease is inevitable in cats underestimates how significantly prevention and treatment improve quality of life.