Dental disease is among the most prevalent and under-treated health problems in companion cats. Improving oral care dramatically reduces chronic pain and improves quality of life.
Dental disease in cats is a major source of chronic pain that goes largely unrecognised in the companion animal population. Cats evolved to hide signs of weakness including pain, meaning owners may not recognise dental suffering until disease is advanced. The prevalence of severe dental disease in the average cat population represents an enormous and largely addressable welfare burden. Regular veterinary dental examinations, professional cleaning under anaesthesia when needed, and home dental care programmes all contribute to reducing this burden. Post-treatment improvement in cat behaviour is often dramatic and retrospectively reveals the degree of chronic suffering that had been present.