Companion Animals

Companion Cat Dental Disease and Pain

Dental disease is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in cats - early prevention and treatment dramatically improve welfare.

Key Facts

Over 70% of cats over 3 years of age have some degree of dental disease
Tooth resorption (feline odontoclastic resorption) affects an estimated 28-67% of adult cats
Cats rarely show obvious signs of dental pain due to their stoic nature
Signs include reduced grooming, reluctance to eat hard food, and facial pawing
Professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia is the standard treatment
Home care including tooth brushing significantly slows disease progression

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease causes chronic pain that profoundly affects quality of life in cats. Because cats hide dental pain effectively, owners frequently underestimate its impact. Annual dental checks with a vet experienced in feline dentistry, combined with home care, are the most effective welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual dental checks for your cat with your vet
Begin tooth brushing from kittenhood using cat-specific toothpaste
Ask your vet about dental radiography to detect hidden tooth resorption
Do not delay dental treatment - cats show significant welfare improvement after tooth extraction
Choose dental health diets and treats with VOHC approval as part of a prevention programme