Dental disease affects the majority of cats over three years old and is a leading source of chronic, undetected pain in companion animals that can be largely prevented.
Feline dental disease is among the most widespread sources of chronic pain in companion animals, affecting the majority of adult cats while remaining largely invisible to owners. Cats suppress pain behavior as prey species, continuing to eat despite broken teeth and inflamed gums. Tooth resorption — a progressive, painful destruction of tooth structure — causes severe discomfort that owners rarely detect without professional examination. Annual or biannual veterinary dental checks, tooth brushing at home, and appropriate dental diets can prevent much of this suffering. The welfare impact of treating dental disease is dramatic, with cats showing marked behavioral improvement after pain relief through dental treatment.