Dental disease is the most common health problem in adult cats. Tooth resorption, periodontal disease, and stomatitis cause significant chronic pain that is frequently unrecognized and untreated.
Dental disease is perhaps the most underappreciated source of chronic suffering in companion cats. The majority of adult cats have some degree of dental disease, yet most owners are unaware because cats continue to eat — even with severely painful mouths. Tooth resorption is particularly insidious: progressive destruction of the tooth causes pain that has no outward sign until the disease is advanced. Cats whose severely diseased teeth are extracted typically show dramatic behavioral improvements — more playful, more social, and more comfortable — demonstrating how much pain they were carrying silently. Routine dental screening and professional cleaning are welfare investments that make a profound difference.