Dental disease affects over 70% of cats over three years old and causes chronic pain that is frequently unrecognised by owners. Early prevention and treatment dramatically improve welfare.
Chronic dental pain in cats is a welfare crisis largely invisible to owners because cats instinctively mask pain. A cat living with severe periodontal disease, tooth resorption, or abscess is experiencing persistent pain that undermines quality of life. Post-dental treatment behaviour changes - increased playfulness, better appetite, and increased affection - confirm how significant the pre-treatment suffering was.