Cat Dental Care: A Vet’s Guide to Healthier Teeth and Gums

Dental disease is more common in cats than many pet parents realise. In my veterinary practice, I see countless cats brought in for unrelated issues, only to discover advanced dental disease lurking beneath the surface.

The good news? With the right early care, you can prevent most problems before they start.

Healthy teeth and gums are vital for your cat’s overall well-being. Poor dental health can lead to chronic pain, difficulty eating, and in severe cases, infections that affect the heart, kidneys, and liver.

This guide will help you understand the most common dental problems in cats, how to recognise the early signs, and what you can do to keep your cat’s mouth healthy for years to come.

Cats are masters at hiding pain. Often, by the time we notice something is wrong, dental disease has progressed significantly. Here’s what to watch for at home:

Changes in Eating Habits

• Chewing on one side of the mouth
• Dropping food or eating more slowly
• Preferring soft foods over kibble

Drooling or Pawing at the Mouth

• Excessive drooling or your cat frequently pawing at their face can be signs of oral discomfort.
• Bleeding Gums or Foul Odour
• Blood on toys or water bowls, or an unpleasant smell from your cat’s mouth, should always prompt a dental check.

Behavioural Changes

Cats with mouth pain might become more withdrawn, hide, or even show aggression when their head is touched.

Keeping your cat’s teeth and gums healthy means first understanding what can go wrong. Here are the most frequent dental issues we diagnose in cats:

Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, usually caused by plaque and bacteria. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontal disease, where infection and inflammation reach the structures supporting the teeth. This is the leading cause of tooth loss in adult cats.

Tooth Resorption

Tooth resorption is extremely common, affecting up to 75% of cats over five years old. It involves the gradual breakdown of a tooth’s structure, starting at the root. Affected teeth often need extraction to relieve pain.

Stomatitis

Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a severe, painful inflammation of the mouth and gums. While its exact cause is still unclear, it’s believed to involve an exaggerated immune response to dental plaque.

Fractured Teeth

Cats that chew on hard objects or suffer facial trauma can break their teeth. Exposed inner parts of the tooth are painful and often lead to infection, usually requiring the tooth to be removed.

Bad Breath and Tartar Build-Up

Bad breath (halitosis) and visible tartar are more than cosmetic issues. They indicate bacteria and plaque are at work, and may be early warning signs of deeper dental disease.

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Cat Health: Key Tips and Vet Advice for Every Stage of Life

Understanding why dental problems develop in cats can help you take proactive steps to prevent them.

Plaque and Tartar Build-Up

The most common cause of dental disease is the gradual accumulation of plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) on the teeth. Over time, this hardens into tartar (calculus), which irritates the gums and harbours even more bacteria, leading to inflammation and infection.

Breed and Genetic Predispositions

Certain breeds, such as Siamese, Abyssinians and Persians, appear more prone to dental issues, including tooth resorption and severe gingivitis. If you have one of these breeds, it’s worth being especially vigilant with dental care.

Diet and Lack of Chewing

Cats fed exclusively on soft food are more likely to develop plaque and tartar, simply because they’re not engaging in any abrasive chewing that helps clean the teeth. While wet food is important for hydration, incorporating specially designed dental kibble can help.

Underlying Health Conditions

Diseases such as feline calicivirus or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) can contribute to chronic inflammation in the mouth. Similarly, kidney disease and diabetes can complicate oral health, making regular checks even more crucial.

Cats rarely allow a thorough look inside their mouths when they’re awake, which is why most dental assessments need to be performed under anaesthesia.

Comprehensive Oral Exam

As most cats won’t sit still for a full mouth check, your vet will do a thorough exam under anaesthesia, checking every tooth, gum, and root.

Dental X-Rays

Around 70% of dental disease lies below the gumline. Dental x-rays are essential to detect tooth root abscesses, resorption, or bone loss that can’t be seen by eye alone.

Grading the Disease

Vets typically grade dental disease from mild gingivitis (grade 1) through to severe periodontitis (grade 4), which helps determine whether cleaning alone or extractions are required.

Once dental disease is diagnosed, your vet will outline the best treatment options to relieve pain and restore your cat’s oral health.

Professional Scale and Polish

This is the most common first step. Your cat will be placed under anaesthesia while we scale away plaque and tartar (both above and below the gumline) and polish the teeth to slow future build-up.

Tooth Extractions

If a tooth is severely affected by resorption, infection, or mobility, extraction is usually the most humane option. Cats adapt well to losing teeth, often showing more interest in food once the source of pain is removed.

Medications

For infections or painful inflammation, your vet may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatories to aid recovery. In cases like stomatitis, longer-term management may be needed.

When a Specialist is Needed

Severe or recurrent cases might be referred to a veterinary dental specialist, especially if advanced procedures such as root canals are being considered.

Post-treatment, you might be advised to use:

• Cat Mouth Rinses — to reduce bacteria levels while healing.
• Soft Recovery Diets — easier for cats with sore mouths to eat after extractions.
• Anti-Inflammatory Supplements — to support gum health.

While professional dental cleanings are essential, what you do at home makes the biggest long-term difference to your cat’s oral health.

Brushing Your Cat’s Teeth

Daily brushing is the gold standard. It removes plaque before it hardens into tartar. Start slowly, using:

• Cat Toothbrushes – small, angled brushes or finger brushes designed for feline mouths.
• Cat Toothpaste – never use human toothpaste; feline formulas are safe to swallow and often chicken- or fish-flavoured.

Begin by letting your cat lick the toothpaste, then gradually introduce gentle brushing along the gum line. Even three times a week can make a substantial difference.

Dental Diets and Chews

Special veterinary dental diets have kibble with a unique shape and fibre matrix that cleans the tooth surface as your cat chews. Look for products approved by the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council).

Water Additives and Oral Gels

If your cat refuses brushing, water additives can help reduce bacteria, and oral gels can be smeared along the gums to slow plaque build-up.

Diet plays a bigger role in dental health than many cat owners realise.

Wet vs Dry Food

While wet cat food supports hydration (critical for kidney health), it doesn’t offer any abrasive cleaning. Balancing a diet with some specially formulated dental kibble can help mechanically reduce plaque.

Functional Dental Diets

Veterinary dental diets like Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d or Royal Canin Dental use large, fibrous kibble that “scrubs” teeth. They’re clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar.

You may want to consider switching your cat to a dental diet if they’re prone to dental disease, showing early signs like bad breath or red gums, or if your vet has flagged plaque or tartar during a check-up. Some cats benefit from starting a dental diet as early as two years of age to help prevent problems before they start.

Healthy Chewing

Offer dental treats or rubber chew toys designed for cats to encourage natural cleaning behaviours. Always supervise use.

The best approach to dental disease is prevention. Here’s how to keep your cat’s teeth in top shape:

Regular Vet Checks

Include dental exams in your cat’s annual health checks. Early detection means simpler, less invasive treatment.

Stick to a Dental Routine

Whether it’s brushing, dental diets or water additives, consistency matters. Build these habits into your weekly care plan.

Watch for Early Signs

Be alert for bad breath, drooling, or subtle changes in eating or behaviour, and book a dental consultation if anything seems off.

Certain dental issues can’t wait. Contact your vet promptly if your cat shows:

• Refusal to eat or drink
• Excessive drooling with blood
• Sudden facial swelling or discharge near the eye
• Chattering teeth or pawing the mouth persistently

Severe infections can spread to vital organs, so early intervention is critical.

With proactive dental care, many cats can avoid the pain and complications of advanced dental disease. By combining regular vet visits, thoughtful nutrition, and at-home care, you’ll keep your cat’s mouth — and their whole body — healthier for years to come.

If you ever have doubts or notice concerning signs, reach out to your vet. It’s always better to catch problems early and keep your feline friend comfortable and happy.

This article was written by Dr. Jack Ayerbe

References

Vets Love Pets follows rigorous sourcing standards, drawing only from peer-reviewed veterinary studies, recognised university research, and trusted industry or government bodies. Every fact is checked against credible, evidence-based references to keep our content accurate, transparent, and veterinarian-approved.

Perth Cat Hospital. https://www.perthcathospital.com.au/feline-tooth-resorption-lesions/

Great Pet Care. https://www.greatpetcare.com/cat-health/dental-disease-in-cats/