Periodontal disease affects the majority of cats over three years old and is one of the most common — yet preventable — sources of chronic pain in companion animals worldwide.
Chronic dental pain profoundly affects feline quality of life, reducing appetite, social interaction, grooming, and play behaviour. Because cats mask pain as a survival mechanism, owners often do not recognise suffering until disease is severe. Welfare-conscious cat care includes annual veterinary oral health assessments, dental radiographs where indicated, and a home dental hygiene routine started in kittenhood. Dental diets and water additives provide modest supplementary benefit. Tooth resorption requires extraction as there is no curative alternative. Ensuring cats receive adequate pain management during and after dental procedures is essential, as post-operative analgesia is still underused in companion animal dentistry.