Companion Animals

Companion Cat Dental 2026 Final

A 2026 review of advances in feline dental health management and outstanding welfare challenges.

Key Facts

VOHC product approvals for cats have expanded, providing more evidence-based options
Dental disease prevalence in older cats remains extremely high despite awareness campaigns
Professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia is now better informed by pre-anaesthetic assessment
Novel anti-gingivitis treatments are in development including immunotherapy approaches
Home dental care compliance remains the primary barrier to reducing dental disease welfare burden

Welfare Considerations

Feline dental welfare in 2026 is better supported by evidence and products than ever before, yet dental disease remains widespread. The gap between available interventions and owner compliance means that chronic dental pain continues to affect millions of cats unnecessarily.

What You Can Do

Prioritize dental care in your cat's health management from kittenhood
Share evidence on cat dental disease to build awareness among fellow cat owners
Advocate for dental assessment to be a mandatory component of annual feline wellness examinations