Dental disease is the most common health condition in companion cats, affecting the majority of adults. Preventing and managing dental pain is one of the most impactful welfare improvements available to cat owners.
Cat dental disease represents a massive hidden welfare burden in companion cat populations. The combination of cats masking chronic pain and owners lacking awareness of dental disease indicators creates a situation where millions of cats live with conditions causing continuous suffering. Research using validated pain scales has demonstrated that cats with dental disease show elevated pain indicators that resolve after treatment, confirming the welfare impact. Preventive care through regular veterinary dental checks and owner-maintained hygiene prevents the most severe presentations. When advanced disease develops, prompt veterinary treatment including extraction of affected teeth typically produces dramatic behavioral improvements as chronic pain is removed.