Dental disease affects the vast majority of adult cats, causing chronic pain that is rarely recognized by owners — regular dental care is essential for feline welfare.
Feline dental disease is one of the most significant silent welfare problems in companion animal care. Unlike dogs who may paw at their mouths or refuse food when experiencing dental pain, cats typically continue eating despite severe dental disease — sometimes with obvious discomfort masked by hunger. This stoicism means that without professional dental assessment, cats can live years with chronic oral pain that owners are completely unaware of. The welfare implications are substantial: a cat with multiple diseased teeth requiring extraction is experiencing ongoing pain that affects every meal. Regular veterinary dental assessment with treatment as needed represents one of the most impactful welfare interventions for adult cats.