Dental disease is one of the health conditions that cats owners should know about, because it affects quality of life, and it is easier to manage when it is caught early. This guide explains what dental disease is, the signs to watch for, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a cat that has it. Every suggestion here is general guidance, not a prescription for an individual cat.
This guide covers dental disease in cats in full: what it is, the signs to watch for, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a cat that has it. Every suggestion here is general guidance, not a prescription for an individual cat, and a cat with dental disease should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual cat, its age, and how advanced the condition is.
What is dental disease in cats?
Dental disease is a condition where plaque and tartar build up on the teeth, the gums become inflamed, and, if it is not treated, the teeth loosen and fall out, and infection spreads to the rest of the body. It is the most common health problem in adult cats — most cats over three years old have some degree of dental disease — and it is also one of the most preventable. Dental disease is not just about bad breath: the bacteria in an infected mouth can affect the heart, the kidneys, and the liver, so clean teeth matter for the whole cat, not just the mouth.
The rest of this guide covers the signs, the causes, how dental disease is diagnosed, how it is treated, whether it can be prevented, and how to live with a cat that has it. A cat with dental disease should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual cat, its age, and how advanced the condition is — and because some of the signs of dental disease can also be signs of other conditions, which need a vet to tell apart. The cat ideal weight calculator works out a target weight range, and the when is a cat considered a senior guide gives the senior thresholds by size.
Signs of dental disease in cats
The signs of dental disease in cats are listed below. Not every cat with dental disease will show every sign, and some cats will show only one or two — but any one of these signs, especially if it lasts more than a few days or gets worse, is worth mentioning to a vet. A cat that is bright, eating, drinking, and otherwise well between episodes is less likely to be seriously ill than a cat that is lethargic, off its food, or losing weight — but the only way to know is to check.
- Bad breath, that does not go away with a change in food.
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums, and gums that pull away from the teeth.
- Tartar — a hard, yellow-brown coating — on the teeth, especially the back teeth.
- Dropping food, eating slowly, or chewing on one side only.
- Pawing at the mouth, or flinching when the mouth is touched.
- Loose teeth, or teeth that have fallen out.
- A cat that is off its food, lethargic, or losing weight.
If two or more of those signs apply, or if one sign is severe — a cat that cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, or has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes — see a vet the same day. Those are signs that need a vet, not waiting. Bring a note of when the signs started, how often they happen, and what the cat eats and drinks — that information helps the vet far more than a guess about the cause. The how to tell if your cat is overweight guide gives the hands-on check for weight, which matters for many of these conditions.
Causes and risk factors for dental disease
Dental disease is caused by plaque — a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth after every meal. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar, which cannot be brushed off, and the bacteria in the tartar inflame the gums. Small and toy breeds are more prone, because their teeth are crowded into a small mouth, and some breeds are more prone because of their genes. A cat that eats only soft food, and never chews anything hard, is more prone, because chewing helps to clean the teeth. Age is the biggest risk factor: dental disease gets worse with every year it is not treated.
Some cats are more prone to dental disease than others, because of their genes, their breed, their size, or their age — but breed and age are not destiny, and a cat of any breed can develop dental disease. What an owner can control is weight, food, exercise, and vet checks: a cat at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, is less likely to develop dental disease and will cope better with it if it does. A cat that is overweight, that eats a poor diet, or that never sees a vet is more likely to develop dental disease and to have it found late, when it is harder to treat.
How dental disease is diagnosed
A vet diagnoses dental disease by looking in the mouth — at the teeth, the gums, and the tartar — and by feeling for loose teeth and sore gums. The vet may also take an X-ray of the teeth, because much of the tooth is under the gum, and a tooth can be badly diseased under the gum while it looks fine above it. A cat with bad breath, bleeding gums, or difficulty eating should be checked, even if it is young — dental disease can start early, and it is easier to treat when it is caught early.
If you are worried about your cat, see a vet and mention dental disease by name, with the signs you have seen and when they started. Bring a note of what the cat eats, how much, and any medicines it takes, and whether it has had dental disease or a related condition before. A video of the signs, if it is safe to take one, helps the vet far more than a description — especially for seizures, limping, or breathing problems. Do not try to diagnose dental disease yourself, and do not buy medicines or special diets for it without veterinary advice, because the wrong treatment can make it worse.
Treatment and management of dental disease
Treatment is a professional cleaning under anaesthetic, where the vet removes the tartar above and below the gum, checks each tooth, and removes any teeth that cannot be saved. Cleaning without anaesthetic does not work, because the tartar below the gum cannot be reached, and a cat that is awake will not sit still for it. After the cleaning, the vet will advise on home care — brushing, dental chews, and a food that helps to clean the teeth. A cat that has lost teeth can still eat well, and it is better to lose a diseased tooth than to keep it and let the infection spread.
Treatment is a decision made with the vet, weighing the cat's age, health, and quality of life against the treatment and its side effects. Some owners choose not to treat, and to keep the cat comfortable instead — and that is a valid choice, made with the vet, not on the basis of a web page. Whatever is decided, the treatment must be followed every day, at the same times, and the cat must be checked regularly, because dental disease changes over time, and the treatment needs to change with it. Do not stop a medicine suddenly, and do not change the dose without veterinary advice.
Living with a cat with dental disease
A cat with dental disease can live a full and happy life once its teeth are treated, but it needs lifelong dental care: brushing, dental chews, and a vet check of the teeth at every routine visit. Watch for the signs coming back — bad breath, bleeding gums, dropping food — and mention them to the vet promptly, because dental disease that is left will come back. A cat that has had teeth removed can still eat well, and it is better to lose a diseased tooth than to keep it. Clean teeth matter for the whole cat, not just the mouth, because the bacteria in an infected mouth can affect the heart, the kidneys, and the liver.
Keep a routine: the same times for food, medicines, walks, and play, the same places for furniture, food, and water, and a calm, predictable home. Keep a note of appetite, drinking, weight, and behaviour, and mention any change to the vet promptly — a change that lasts more than a few days, or that gets worse, is worth a vet visit. Keep the cat at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise at a level that suits its body, and keep vet checks regular: once a year as an adult, and twice a year as a senior. The senior cat diet guide covers feeding older cats, and the cat calorie calculator works out daily calories for any weight.
Can dental disease be prevented?
Dental disease is prevented by brushing the cat's teeth — daily if possible, with a toothpaste made for cats, never with toothpaste meant for people, which is toxic to cats. Start young, and make it a routine: a cat that is used to having its teeth brushed as a kitten will accept it as an adult. Dental chews and a food made to clean the teeth can help, but they are not a substitute for brushing. Have the vet check the teeth at every routine visit, so dental disease is found early, when it is easier and cheaper to treat.
Early checks matter most: have the cat checked regularly, so dental disease is found early, when treatment works best. Keep the cat at a healthy weight, with measured food and daily exercise, and mention any change in drinking, eating, weight, or behaviour to your vet early, because a change caught early is easier to treat than one left for weeks.
For related reading, see the cat ideal weight calculator, the cat body condition score chart, the how to tell if your cat is overweight guide, the senior cat diet guide, the cat calorie calculator, the when is a cat considered a senior guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is dental disease in cats?
Dental disease is a condition where plaque and tartar build up on the teeth, the gums become inflamed, and, if it is not treated, the teeth loosen and fall out, and infection spreads to the rest of the body. It is the most common health problem in adult cats — most cats over three years old have some degree of dental disease — and it is also one of the most preventable. Dental disease is not just about bad breath: the bacteria in an infected mouth can affect the heart, the kidneys, and the liver, so clean teeth matter for the whole cat, not just the mouth.
What are the signs of dental disease in cats?
The most common signs are: Bad breath, that does not go away with a change in food. Red, swollen, or bleeding gums, and gums that pull away from the teeth. Tartar — a hard, yellow-brown coating — on the teeth, especially the back teeth. See the full list above for every sign to watch for, and see a vet promptly if two or more apply, or if one sign is severe.
What causes dental disease in cats?
Dental disease is caused by plaque — a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth after every meal. If plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar, which cannot be brushed off, and the bacteria in the tartar inflame the gums. Small and toy breeds are more prone, because their teeth are crowded into a small mouth, and some breeds are more prone because of their genes. A cat that eats only soft food, and never chews anything hard, is more prone, because chewing helps to clean the teeth. Age is the biggest risk factor: dental disease gets worse with every year it is not treated.
How is dental disease diagnosed?
A vet diagnoses dental disease by looking in the mouth — at the teeth, the gums, and the tartar — and by feeling for loose teeth and sore gums. The vet may also take an X-ray of the teeth, because much of the tooth is under the gum, and a tooth can be badly diseased under the gum while it looks fine above it. A cat with bad breath, bleeding gums, or difficulty eating should be checked, even if it is young — dental disease can start early, and it is easier to treat when it is caught early.
How is dental disease treated?
Treatment is a professional cleaning under anaesthetic, where the vet removes the tartar above and below the gum, checks each tooth, and removes any teeth that cannot be saved. Cleaning without anaesthetic does not work, because the tartar below the gum cannot be reached, and a cat that is awake will not sit still for it. After the cleaning, the vet will advise on home care — brushing, dental chews, and a food that helps to clean the teeth. A cat that has lost teeth can still eat well, and it is better to lose a diseased tooth than to keep it and let the infection spread.
When should a cat with dental disease see a vet?
See a vet promptly if the cat shows any of the signs above, especially if they last more than a few days or get worse — and the same day if the cat cannot urinate, cannot breathe, cannot stand, has had a seizure lasting more than five minutes, or is lethargic or off its food. Bring a note of when the signs started and what the cat eats and drinks. A cat with dental disease should be checked by a vet, because the right treatment depends on the individual cat, its age, and how advanced the condition is.
Results on this page are estimates for general information only and are not veterinary advice. If your pet is ill, underweight, overweight, pregnant, or has a health condition, consult your veterinarian before changing diet or care.