Dental disease is among the most prevalent health conditions in domestic cats, causing chronic pain that often goes unrecognized by owners due to cats concealing signs of discomfort.
Dental pain in cats is a hidden welfare crisis affecting millions of animals worldwide. Unlike dogs, cats rarely paw at their mouths, drop food or cry out when suffering from tooth resorption, periodontal disease or mouth ulcers. Instead, they may eat more slowly, avoid hard food, groom less or become slightly less sociable — changes owners often attribute to aging rather than pain. This concealment of suffering means dental disease is dramatically underdiagnosed and undertreated. Regular dental examinations, home dental care and prompt treatment of identified conditions are among the highest-impact welfare interventions available to cat owners.