Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is the most common oral disease to affect cats.

Plaque is a sticky 'biofilm' composed mostly of bacteria (predominantly streptococcus) which forms  on the teeth. If proper dental care isn't followed, over time, plaque, saliva, minerals & food debris mineralise, causing tartar (also known as calculus). Tartar is yellowish in colour & is seen along along the gum (gingiva), where it meets the teeth. This leads to inflammation of the gums, which is known as gingivitis. At this stage, proper treatment can reverse the problem. Left untreated the tartar begins to collect under the gum line. Toxins  produced by the bacteria in the plaque can irritate the gums, which in turn stimulates an inflammatory response, it is a combination of toxins released by the bacteria, and the inflammatory response which causes destruction of the supportive structures  (gingiva, alveolar bone, cementum &  periodontal ligament). Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected.

Unhealthy teeth & gums have greater impact on the body than just causing bad breath, pain & infection. As the gums have a rich blood supply, bacteria is readily transported to other organs (such as the liver, kidneys etc.) in the body causing damage & even organ failure.

What are the symptoms of periodontal disease in cats?

Cats are expert at masking discomfort & pain & many pet owners may not notice that their cat has a problem. This is another important reason why regular, annual check ups with the veterinarian are so important. Even if you believe your cat is in good health, a thorough physical may uncover a problem in the early stages. Avoiding unnecessary pain, suffering, expense & prolonged treatment to fix the problem. By the time you notice a problem, the disease is likely to be advanced. Symptoms common to periodontal disease may include;

• Bad breath, this is probably the most obvious sign a pet owner will notice

• Unwillingness to eat

• Yellow deposits on the teeth

• Avoiding dry/hard food in favour of softer food

• Drooling

• Pawing at the face

• Pus around the tooth/teeth

• Gums which bleed easily

• Red or swollen gums, especially along the gum line

• Pus around the teeth

• Teeth which are loose or missing

How is periodontal disease in cats diagnosed?

Your veterinarian will perform an visual examination of your cat's mouth for signs of periodontal disease, such as a build up of tartar, red & inflamed gums, bad breath. Included in this examination will be periodontal probing which measures the crevice depth around each tooth.

Full mouth x-rays may be recommended to determine the extent of the disease.

Your veterinarian may also wish to do a FIV & FeLV test to rule out these two diseases as a cause of gingivitis or plasmacytic-lymphocytic stomatitis.

How is periodontal disease in cats treated?

Once a diagnosis has been made, the periodontist will 'grade' the condition. This is to establish how advanced the problem has become & what treatment will be necessary.

Treatment requires commitment from the pet owner & a certain amount of patience from the cat.

• Thorough cleaning above & below the gum line is necessary.

• In severe cases, where pocket depth is deep, your veterinarian may need to surgically access the roots by cutting the gums (open flap curettage).

• Tooth extraction may be necessary if the above procedures fail to resolve the problem or bone destruction is too great.

How can periodontal disease be prevented?

There are several ways to care for your cat's teeth at home.

• Regularly brushing your cat's teeth. This will need to be done with a special 'cat' toothbrush & toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste on animals.

• You can purchase special diets which are designed to  reduce plaque & tartar formation. One such food is Hills T/D which can be purchased through your veterinarian.

• Feed raw chicken necks or bones. This is a somewhat controversial topic. In Australia it is quite commonly recommended as a way to reduce plaque & tartar formation, however there are risks associated with feeding raw bones to cats. Speak to your veterinarian for his/her opinion on feeding raw chicken necks & or bones.

• Make sure your cat sees a veterinarian once a year for a check up to stay on top of any possible health & dental problems.

Related articles:

Dental Care For Cats: Stomatitis in Cats: Gingivitis in Cats: Liver Disease: Kidney Disease: Feline Diabetes

Please note:

The medical articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes only & should not be used for  the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.

Always seek immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or behavioral) in your pets.

While great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.