Did you know that of all the conditions we see in general practice, dental disease in cats is one of the most common problems? A recent study showed that as many as 1.8 million cats are diagnosed with dental disease each year. The most worrisome thing about this is that it can frequently go unnoticed as cats are such stoic animals. They are very good at hiding any and all discomfort. As you probably know, there’s something about dental pain that hits differently, so imagine being in that much discomfort and not being able to tell anyone. Not only this, but dental disease can also increase their risk of other illnesses, like heart disease from bacteria entering the bloodstream via the gums.

So, what do you need to know about your cat’s teeth to make sure your purrfect pet is kept happy, comfortable and flashing those pearly whites? We’ve put together some information to help.

What’s normal for my cat?

When they reach adulthood, our feline friends have 30 teeth. In healthy condition, their teeth should be free of plaque build-up, and the gums should be pink with no redness or inflammation. Your cat should also be able to eat comfortably.

What could dental disease look like in my cat?

In the early stages of dental disease, signs can sometimes be hard to spot. Some signs of dental disease you may see in your cat include:

Smelly breath

Red or bleeding gums (gingivitis)

Excessive drooling, sometimes with blood

Visible tartar build-up

Difficulty eating/dropping food

Reduced appetite

Pawing at the mouth/face

Wobbly teeth

Most cats aren’t huge fans of being handled, especially when it comes to looking in their mouth! If you have difficulty looking in your cat’s mouth and would like some assistance, please do let us know, one of our vets or nurses would be happy to help.

What can cause these signs?

There are a few common dental conditions that can cause these signs, and we will explain these below for you.

Periodontal disease:

This is caused by excessive build-up of plaque over time, harbouring bacteria.

Initially this will cause gum inflammation, known as gingivitis. This appears as a line of red tissue adjacent to the cat’s teeth. It may affect all of the gums or just a few areas.

Later, it may progress to periodontitis, which is inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth and damage to structures that support the teeth. This can ultimately lead to tooth loss.

Feline resorptive lesions:

This is a condition where the enamel of the tooth is resorbed by the body, leaving the sensitive pulp exposed. Any cat may be affected, young or old, and it is very common for affected cats to have multiple lesions. Often these lesions happen at or under the gumline, so they can be hard to spot. Dental x-rays are best for diagnosing these painful lesions.

Fractures:

Most commonly, fractured teeth are caused by trauma. Fractured teeth should be carefully assessed by a veterinarian to determine whether the whole tooth needs to be extracted.

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS):

FCGS is a condition causing severe inflammation in the mouth. While the cause isn’t fully understood, it is most likely to be an immune reaction to bacteria in the mouth and may also be associated with an underlying viral disease, like FIV.

Is there anything that can make my cat more prone to dental disease?

Details from the RVC’s study reveal that the risk of dental disease rises greatly with age, up until the age of 12, so we need to keep a close eye on older kitties. Overweight cats are noted as having a higher risk too, so trying to keep them trim will help avoid dental disease.

Unfortunately, some breeds may be more likely to develop dental disease. Siamese, Maine Coon and British Shorthair cats have all been shown to have a higher prevalence of dental disease in comparison to other breeds. If your feline friend is one of these breeds, regular check ups and preventative measures should help balance the risk.

How is dental disease treated in cats?

The treatment of dental disease in cats will vary depending on the cause and other factors such as the cat’s age, temperament and health status.

Treatment commonly includes a general anaesthetic, to allow the vet to properly examine and clean the teeth and carry out any required tooth extractions. Other treatments include:

  • Pain relief
  • Antibiotics – for dental abscesses

How can I spot dental disease?

Knowing the signs is really important, and regular checks at home of your cats’ teeth can be very helpful. The molars (back teeth) are most commonly affected, but can be difficult to see, so if you can, it’s best to get your cat used to having all their teeth checked!

Alongside this, having your cat checked regularly by our friendly team can help with early recognition of disease. This means that, if spotted, we can quickly intervene with any issues and ensure your cat is healthy and comfortable as soon as possible.

What happens if my cat is recommended for a dental procedure?

After a consultation with one of our friendly vets or nurses, we may recommend a dental procedure, depending on the severity of dental disease noted. This involves your cat staying with us for the day and having a general anaesthetic for the procedure, which will allow a thorough examination of all teeth without causing them any discomfort.

At All Creatures, we routinely perform dental x-rays on all feline patients, which allows us to assess what’s going on under the gumline as well. This is very important, as often we are unable to see issues in the roots and surrounding bones with the naked eye alone.

Based on examination and x-rays, if required, some teeth may be extracted, and we’ll scale and polish their teeth to remove all the plaque and tartar.

Your cat will be monitored closely before, during and after anaesthesia, and will be provided with multiple forms of pain relief to keep them extra comfortable. We’ll even give them fuss and cuddles if they’re happy with it!

What can I do at home?

Prevention is better than cure! If you’re able to, brush your cat’s teeth regularly and implement this from a young age. It can take some time to get your cat used to this, so start by getting them used to the taste of the toothpaste you will be using and work up to using a brush. It is important to always use a cat-friendly toothpaste. We’re always happy to give advice on tooth brushing at home, giving you a step-by-step plan to work up to a stage that you and your cat are comfortable with.

There are also special diets, treats and water additives available, for those that aren’t too happy with having their teeth brushed.

If you have any worries about your cat’s teeth, come and visit our friendly team for a routine dental check.

Dental procedures for cats at All Creatures start at £455.00 for general anaesthesia, scale & polish and full mouth dental x-rays, weight dependent. Book in to see our friendly and knowledgeable team today!

References:

O’Neill et al. (2023) “Periodontal disease in cats under primary veterinary care in the UK: frequency and risk factors”, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery