Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Senior Dental Disease and Welfare

Dental disease in older cats is nearly universal and causes chronic pain that significantly reduces quality of life in the last years of a cat's life, yet is routinely underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Key Facts

Tooth resorption affects over 50% of cats over 5 years old
Many cats with severe dental disease show few obvious signs due to their stoic nature
Dental radiography is essential for identifying resorptive lesions not visible on examination
Extraction of affected teeth eliminates chronic pain that owners often did not know their cat had
Cats often show dramatic improvement in behaviour and appetite after dental treatment

Welfare Considerations

Senior cats with dental disease suffer quietly. The restoration of comfort following appropriate dental treatment - often tooth extraction for resorptive lesions - is one of the most impactful welfare interventions available in feline geriatric medicine. Owners who did not know their cat was in pain frequently describe transformation in behaviour and vitality following treatment.

What You Can Do

Have senior cats' teeth radiographed to detect resorptive lesions not visible to the eye
Do not delay dental treatment in elderly cats - most tolerate anaesthesia well with appropriate precautions
Monitor for dental pain signs - reluctance to eat, face rubbing, reduced grooming