Dental disease affects the majority of cats over three years old and is a leading cause of chronic, unrecognised pain. Regular dental care dramatically improves welfare and overall health outcomes.
Dental disease in cats is one of the most prevalent and underrecognised sources of chronic pain in companion animals. A cat that appears to be eating normally may be doing so despite significant oral pain by swallowing food without chewing, or by only using one side of the mouth. The absence of visible pain signs does not indicate absence of pain — it reflects feline stoicism. Regular dental examinations and prompt treatment of disease are among the most impactful welfare interventions available to cat owners.