Dental disease affects the majority of adult cats and causes chronic pain that significantly reduces quality of life, yet remains severely underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Dental pain in cats is pervasive and chronically undertreated. Because cats maintain normal eating behaviour even with severe oral pain — an evolutionary adaptation to avoid showing weakness — owners and sometimes veterinarians underestimate the degree of suffering present. Cats with significant dental disease experience pain with every bite, jaw movement, and grooming action. Tooth resorption causes progressive destruction of tooth structure, described by dental specialists as acutely painful. Early intervention through regular dental checks, prompt treatment of identified disease, and daily tooth brushing where tolerated prevents the progression of chronic pain that reduces feline quality of life.