Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Welfare and Dental Disease Prevention

Dental disease is the most common health problem in cats, affecting over 70% of cats over three years old. Prevention through regular care avoids significant chronic pain.

Key Facts

Periodontal disease causes pain that affects eating, grooming and behaviour
Feline resorptive lesions affect up to 60% of adult cats and cause severe pain
Daily tooth brushing is the gold standard for prevention but owner compliance is low
Dental diets, water additives and chews offer partial alternatives to brushing
Annual dental checks under anaesthesia allow early detection of serious disease

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease causes chronic, often unrecognised pain in millions of cats. Early prevention and regular veterinary dental care can spare cats years of suffering.

What You Can Do

Introduce tooth brushing gradually from kittenhood
Schedule annual veterinary dental assessments for your cat
Ask your vet about dental diet or water additive options if brushing is not possible