Dental disease in cats – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: PDSA, International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your cat has this – it can become serious. Dental disease is a problem affecting a cat’s mouth and teeth.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet today.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Dental disease is common in cats and becomes more common and severe as they get older.^[2] Cats often hide mouth pain, so signs may not appear until dental disease is very severe.^[1]

Signs

Bad breath
Red, sore or bleeding gums
Reduced appetite
Weight loss
Mouth pain
Pawing at the mouth
Drooling
Difficulty eating
Tartar build-up
Loose or wobbly teeth

Causes and risk factors

Age
Tooth alignment
Retained baby teeth
Abnormally shaped jaws
Overcrowding of teeth
Short-nosed pedigree breeds such as Persians and Exotic Shorthairs

How a vet finds out

A thorough examination of the mouth, which may require sedation or anaesthesia
Dental X-rays
Probing the teeth
Blood tests may also be required

How vets treat it

Pain relief to keep your cat comfortable
Antibiotics to treat infection
A dental scale and polish under general anaesthetic to remove plaque and tartar build-up
Tooth removal if severe dental disease is discovered

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“Overview. Dental disease is common in cats, especially as they get older. It’s important to check your cat’s teeth and gums regularly because most cats try their best to hide pain, so often don’t show symptoms of dental disease until it’s very severe.”
— PDSA [1]

“Diagnosis of the exact problem can be made in several ways, including a thorough examination of the mouth (which may require sedation or anaesthesia for some cats), dental x-rays, and probing the teeth. Other tests, such as blood tests, may also be required.”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [2]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What are the signs of dental disease in cats?

Signs can include bad breath, sore or bleeding gums, reduced appetite, weight loss, mouth pain, pawing at the mouth, drooling, difficulty eating, tartar build-up and loose teeth.^[2]

How does a vet diagnose dental disease?

A vet may examine the mouth, use dental X-rays and probe the teeth; some cats may require sedation or anaesthesia, and blood tests may also be needed.^[2]

How do vets treat dental disease?

Treatment may include pain relief, antibiotics, a dental scale and polish under general anaesthetic, and tooth removal if severe dental disease is found.^[2]

Sources

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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