Dental disease is the most prevalent health condition in companion cats, affecting the majority of cats over three years of age. Despite its prevalence, it is chronically under-recognised and undertreated — leaving millions of cats in daily oral pain that owners and even veterinarians may miss.
The welfare significance of feline dental disease is enormous and systematically underestimated. A cat with multiple resorbing teeth or severe periodontitis is living with constant, significant oral pain — but because it continues to eat (slowly, cautiously, or by avoiding certain textures), owners interpret this as the cat being "fine." Veterinary visits that do not include oral examination under sedation may miss significant pathology. The transformation owners observe post-dental surgery — increased playfulness, vocalization, food enthusiasm — reveals how much discomfort was present beforehand. The financial barrier to veterinary dentistry (which requires general anaesthesia and specialist equipment) means many cats go untreated. Early prevention through tooth brushing is effective but adoption rates remain low.