Companion Animals

Companion Cat Dental Disease Prevention

Dental disease is the most common health problem in cats, causing chronic oral pain that is frequently unrecognised by owners.

Key Facts

An estimated 85% of cats over 3 years of age have some degree of dental disease
Cats rarely show obvious signs of dental pain despite significant discomfort
Tooth resorption lesions are unique to cats and cause severe pain
Daily toothbrushing from kittenhood is the most effective prevention
Annual professional dental examination allows early detection and treatment

Welfare Considerations

Cats with dental disease experience chronic oral pain that silently reduces their quality of life. The absence of obvious pain behaviour means dental disease often progresses unnoticed. Preventive dental care from kittenhood, combined with annual professional examination, dramatically reduces the burden of dental disease suffering.

What You Can Do

Establish toothbrushing from kittenhood using cat-specific toothpaste
Request dental examination as part of annual wellness checks
Do not ignore eating changes - they may indicate dental pain