Companion Animals

Companion Animal Tooth Resorption

Tooth resorption is a painful and extremely common condition in cats that is often undiagnosed due to the difficulty of oral examination.

Key Facts

Tooth resorption affects an estimated 20-60% of adult cats
It causes progressive destruction of tooth structure starting at the gum line
Affected teeth cause severe pain that cats often hide
Extraction is the only effective treatment — there is no way to save affected teeth

Welfare Considerations

Tooth resorption is one of the most significant sources of chronic unrecognized pain in cats. A cat eating normally may still have significant oral pain from tooth resorption. Many cats show dramatic improvement in activity and demeanor after extraction of affected teeth, revealing the extent of their previous suffering. Annual dental examinations under sedation are the only reliable way to diagnose the condition.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual dental examinations for your cat
Learn to recognize signs of oral pain in cats
Ask your vet specifically about tooth resorption at dental checkups
Budget for dental treatment as part of responsible cat ownership