Dental disease affects over 70% of cats by age three and is a major welfare concern that home care programs can significantly reduce.
Dental disease causes chronic oral pain that cats experience silently and stoically, continuing to eat despite significant discomfort because the alternative is starvation. Signs of dental pain are subtle and often missed: reduced food intake, preference for soft food, drooling, face rubbing, and behavioral changes. By the time dental disease is visually obvious, it has typically been causing pain for months. Home dental care programs - particularly daily brushing - prevent the accumulation of plaque that drives gingivitis and periodontal disease. The welfare return from effective dental prevention is substantial: preventing months to years of unnecessary oral pain through consistent, inexpensive home care.