Dental disease is one of the most common reasons cats need veterinary treatment, yet it is frequently missed by owners because cats are experts at hiding pain. Feline dental conditions range from mild gingivitis to painful tooth resorption and debilitating stomatitis. Here is what every UK cat owner should know.

Common Feline Dental Conditions

Periodontal disease: Inflammation and infection of the gums and tooth-supporting structures. Caused by plaque and tartar build-up. Affects the majority of cats over 3 years old.

Tooth resorption (formerly called FORLs): A painful condition where the cat's own body destroys the tooth structure, starting at the root. Affects up to 75% of cats over 5 years old. There is no way to prevent it, and affected teeth must be extracted.

Feline stomatitis: Severe, painful inflammation of the entire mouth. Affects 1–5% of cats. Often requires full-mouth or near-full-mouth tooth extraction as the definitive treatment. Thought to be an immune-mediated overreaction to plaque bacteria.

Signs of Dental Pain in Cats

Cats rarely stop eating due to dental pain — their survival instinct overrides the pain. Instead, look for:

  • Preference for soft food or reluctance to eat dry food
  • Dropping food while eating
  • Drooling (unusual in cats)
  • Bad breath
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Head tilting while chewing
  • Reduced grooming (matted coat)
  • Weight loss
  • Behavioural changes (withdrawal, irritability)

Treatment Costs

All dental procedures in cats require general anaesthetic. Costs include:

  • Dental examination under anaesthetic + scale and polish: £200–£400
  • Dental X-rays: £50–£150 (highly recommended — much disease is below the gum line)
  • Extractions: £50–£150 per tooth
  • Pre-anaesthetic blood test: £60–£120 (recommended for all cats, essential for seniors)
  • Total for dental with extractions: £350–£800

Stomatitis treatment:

  • Medical management (steroids, antibiotics, pain relief): £50–£150/month ongoing
  • Full-mouth extraction (definitive treatment): £800–£1,500
  • Post-surgical care: £50–£150

Full-mouth extraction sounds extreme but is the most effective treatment for stomatitis. Around 60–70% of cats achieve significant improvement or complete resolution. Cats adapt remarkably well to eating without teeth.

The Importance of Dental X-Rays

Dental X-rays are even more important in cats than dogs because tooth resorption often begins below the gum line and is invisible on visual examination. The International Society of Feline Medicine recommends full-mouth dental X-rays for all cats undergoing dental procedures. A tooth that looks normal above the gum line may have severe resorption at the root.

Prevention

Dental disease in cats is harder to prevent than in dogs because many cats will not tolerate tooth brushing. Options include:

  • Tooth brushing: Ideal but only realistic if started in kittenhood. Use a finger brush and cat-specific paste.
  • Dental diets: Hills t/d and Royal Canin Dental Care are designed to reduce plaque. Cost: £25–£45/month.
  • Dental treats: VOHC-accepted treats provide some benefit. Cost: £5–£10/month.
  • Water additives: Limited evidence in cats but may help. Cost: £5–£10/month.

Tooth resorption cannot be prevented by any known method — it is a condition that must be monitored and treated when it occurs. Regular annual dental checks at vaccination appointments can catch problems early.

Insurance Coverage

Most pet insurance covers dental treatment for disease (periodontal disease, tooth resorption, stomatitis) but not routine dental cleaning. Dental treatment is one of the most common insurance claims for cats. Check your policy wording — some budget policies exclude dental cover entirely.

Last updated: March 2026. Sources: International Society of Feline Medicine, British Veterinary Dental Association, VetCost pricing data.