Cat Dental Disease: The Most Overlooked Welfare Problem in Pet Cats

Dental disease affects the majority of adult cats but is rarely treated because cats mask pain and owners do not recognise the signs. Addressing it is a significant welfare opportunity.

Key Facts

Studies show over 70% of cats over 3 years old have some degree of dental disease
Dental disease causes pain, tooth resorption, gum recession, and tooth loss
Cats rarely stop eating even with severe dental pain — a survival instinct that masks their suffering
Dental resorption (FORL/TR) is a uniquely feline condition causing progressive, painful tooth destruction
Professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia is the primary treatment, often combined with extractions
Daily tooth brushing reduces plaque accumulation and slows disease progression

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease is among the most common sources of chronic, unrecognised pain in pet cats. Because cats do not show obvious pain behaviours when eating — they adapt their behaviour to manage pain — most dental disease goes undetected by owners. Owners often report that their cat "seems younger" after dental treatment, reflecting the relief from chronic pain. Welfare-centred dental care includes annual oral health assessments, early intervention for dental disease, and owner education about the signs of dental pain (reduced grooming, preference for soft food, reluctance to be touched around the face).

What You Can Do

Ask your vet to examine your cat's teeth at every health check
Observe subtle signs of dental pain: reduced grooming, head-tilting while eating, or reluctance to eat hard food
Introduce tooth brushing gradually from kittenhood — daily brushing is the gold standard prevention
Do not delay professional dental treatment citing anaesthetic risk — untreated pain is a greater risk
Feed dental diets or use dental chews to reduce plaque in cats who will not accept tooth brushing