Dental disease is the most common health problem in cats, causing chronic pain that significantly impairs quality of life and is largely preventable with consistent preventive care.
Dental disease in cats is simultaneously one of the most common and most overlooked welfare problems in companion animals. The combination of cats masking pain, owners not examining teeth routinely, and veterinarians not always taking dental radiographs creates a system where significant dental suffering often goes unaddressed for years. A cat with tooth resorption — where the tooth is being destroyed from within — experiences severe, constant pain while appearing to eat normally. Behavioral changes after successful dental treatment are often dramatic: cats become more playful, affectionate, and active as chronic pain is resolved.