Feline Chronic Gingivitis: Dental Pain Welfare

Key Welfare Facts

Chronic gingivitis affects a significant proportion of cats over 3 years old, causing ongoing oral pain.
Inflammation of the gingival margins is caused by bacterial plaque accumulation at the gum-tooth interface.
Affected cats show reluctance to eat hard food, dropping food, and pawing at the mouth indicating pain.
Regular veterinary dental examinations allow grading of gingivitis and planning of appropriate dental procedures.
Professional dental scaling under anaesthesia removes tartar and plaque, providing significant pain relief.
Home dental care including tooth brushing maintains dental health between professional procedures effectively.

Welfare Assessment

Chronic gingivitis is a widespread source of preventable oral pain in cats that responds well to professional dental care. Annual dental examinations and commitment to home oral hygiene significantly improve long-term welfare for feline dental health.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual dental examinations for all cats from 3 years of age
Implement tooth brushing with feline toothpaste from kittenhood as the most effective home care
Seek professional dental scaling under anaesthesia for cats with moderate or severe gingivitis
Feed dental diet food or dental treats as adjunct measures alongside professional dental care