Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Feline Tooth Resorption Welfare

Feline tooth resorption (TR) is an extremely painful and poorly understood condition affecting most cats - early detection and extraction prevent chronic suffering.

Key Facts

Over 50% of cats over 6 years have at least one tooth resorption lesion
TR causes progressive destruction of tooth structure from the root outward
Pain from TR is often hidden - cats continue eating despite significant oral pain
Dental radiography is essential for detecting TR lesions below the gum line
Extraction is the only effective treatment - no restoration or medical management works

Welfare Considerations

Tooth resorption causes chronic oral pain that cats hide remarkably effectively. Because affected cats often continue eating, owners and vets may underestimate the suffering involved. Regular dental radiography and prompt extraction significantly reduce this hidden welfare cost.

What You Can Do

Request dental radiography as part of annual professional dental examination for cats
Seek specialist dental assessment if your cat shows any reduced eating or jaw chattering
Advocate for routine dental radiography as a standard of care in veterinary practice