Companion Animal Welfare

Senior Cat Dental Welfare Advanced

Advanced dental disease in senior cats causes significant pain that is often underrecognised; proactive management improves late-life quality.

Key Facts

Over 70% of cats over 3 years show signs of dental disease; prevalence rises with age
Tooth resorption is uniquely common in cats and extremely painful if untreated
Signs of dental pain in cats are subtle and often missed by owners
Anaesthetic dental procedures are safe for most senior cats with appropriate pre-op assessment
Home dental care from kittenhood dramatically reduces late-life disease burden

Welfare Considerations

Dental pain profoundly affects senior cats' ability to eat, interact, and enjoy life; routine dental assessment is one of the highest-impact welfare interventions for aging cats.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual dental assessments for cats over 7 years old
Begin home dental care early in your cat's life
Do not delay dental treatment out of anaesthetic concern - discuss risk with your vet