Feline Dental Disease

Common types of feline dental disease

There are many different oral conditions seen in cats. The three most commonly recognised dental diseases are:

1. Periodontitis

This is the end result of untreated gingivitis. Infection and inflammation damage the tissues that hold the teeth in their sockets, often leading to pain, tooth loss, and infection.

2. Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS)

A complex, multifactorial disease causing severe and painful inflammation of the gums and mouth tissues. These cats are often extremely uncomfortable. The vast majority of affected cats are positive for a virus called Feline Calicivirus (FCV). A novel antiviral treatment is now available, and may prevent affected cats from needing full mouth extractions - contact Vet2Cat for more information.

3. Tooth resorption

A poorly understood condition where the tooth structure gradually breaks down, often below the gum line. These lesions can be very painful and frequently invisible without dental X-rays.

Why dentals must be done under general anaesthetic

Dental procedures in cats must be performed under a general anaesthetic. Unfortunately, our patients won’t lie back and say “ahhh”.

A thorough feline dental at Vet2Cat always includes full-mouth dental X-rays. This is essential because a large portion of each tooth lies below the gum line and cannot be assessed visually. Dental X-rays allow us to determine which teeth can stay and which must be removed.

What happens during a cat dental?

A complete dental procedure involves several important steps:

1. Charting
   Each tooth and the surrounding gums are carefully examined and recorded. This includes calculus levels, gingivitis, tooth mobility, fractures, gum pockets, missing teeth, and any abnormalities.

Signs your cat may have dental pain

Cats are extremely good at hiding pain, but subtle signs can give them away. Contact us for a dental check if you notice:

Changes in eating

• Dropping food or chewing cautiously
• Turning the head to one side when eating
• Gulping food without chewing
• Eating less, losing weight, or eating only when alone

Behaviour changes

• Becoming grumpier or less tolerant
• Becoming unusually clingy
• Sleeping away from you
• Reduced play or reluctance to climb

Oral signs

• Red or inflamed gums
• Brown or creamy deposits on teeth
• Bad breath
• Excessive drooling

Myth busting: common dental misconceptions

“My cat is still eating, so they can’t be in pain.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t true. Cats can be in significant pain and still eat—because the alternative is to starve.

“My cat’s teeth look clean, so they don’t need a dental.”
Many problems are hidden below the gum line. Signs can be subtle, and we would never recommend a dental unless we felt it was necessary.

“My cat has already had a dental, so they don’t need another.”
Dental disease is not always a one-off issue. Conditions like tooth resorption can affect remaining teeth, and plaque will continue to accumulate over time.

“I brush my cat’s teeth, so they don’t need a dental.”
Even with excellent home care; genetics and mouth anatomy can still lead to dental disease. Brushing helps, but it doesn’t guarantee that your cat will never develop dental disease.

“My cat is old—it’s too risky.”
Age does increase anaesthetic risk, but this is always weighed against the benefit of relieving chronic pain. We take extensive precautions, including pre-anaesthetic blood tests, intravenous fluids, and continuous monitoring by a qualified veterinary nurse.