Companion Animals

Cat Dental Disease: Prevention and Treatment

Dental disease affects the majority of adult cats and is a major source of unrecognised chronic pain, with significant welfare implications.

Key Facts

Dental disease affects over 70% of cats over three years of age
Tooth resorption (feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions) causes severe pain and affects up to 50% of cats
Cats rarely show obvious signs of dental pain, leading to chronic undertreatment
Regular professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia is the gold standard for prevention

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease is a major source of chronic pain in cats that is frequently undetected and undertreated. Regular dental assessment, preventive care, and prompt treatment when disease is identified can dramatically improve feline quality of life.

What You Can Do

Establish a regular dental examination routine with your veterinarian
Introduce tooth brushing or dental diets to reduce plaque accumulation
Advocate for dental health to be assessed at every routine veterinary visit