Periodontal disease affects 70-85% of cats over 3 years — proactive dental prevention programs dramatically reduce chronic oral pain and systemic health consequences.
Feline dental welfare is chronically underaddressed because cats mask oral pain effectively and many owners do not know what to look for. The result is that most cats carry a significant dental disease burden for years before receiving treatment. The welfare impact of untreated periodontal disease is substantial: chronic low-grade pain affecting appetite, behavior, and quality of life, with secondary systemic effects from constant bacteremia. Proactive prevention through owner-administered toothbrushing and regular professional dental assessment prevents most of this suffering. Veterinary practices that make dental screening a standard component of every adult cat visit — and communicate oral pain findings clearly to owners — dramatically improve feline dental welfare outcomes at the population level.