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CATS & DOGS

Dental care for cats and dogs: signs and prevention

Gum disease is the most common medical problem in cats and dogs. Learn the signs, how to brush your pet's teeth, and when a vet should check the mouth.

PanduanHewan editorial teamUpdated Editorial standards
About this guideCompiled from the listed veterinary and health organisations’ guidance; not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
General information for owners, not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If your animal seems very unwell, in pain, struggling to breathe or may have been poisoned, contact a vet immediately.

Quick answer

Key points

  • Periodontal (gum) disease is the most common medical problem in cats and dogs, and it often shows no signs.
  • Daily toothbrushing with a pet toothpaste is the best way to stop plaque hardening into tartar.
  • Never use human toothpaste on a cat or dog.
  • A thorough dental clean is done by a vet under anaesthesia, including below the gum line.
  • Bones and very hard chews can break teeth and have not been shown to prevent gum disease.

When should you see a vet?

  • Go to a vet immediately if a tooth is broken, the mouth cannot close, the face is swollen, or your pet stops eating because of pain.
  • Red, swollen or easily bleeding gums.
  • Bad breath that does not go away.
  • Chewing on one side, dropping food, tilting the head while eating, or swallowing without chewing.
  • Drooling, sometimes with blood, or pawing at or rubbing the mouth.
  • Loose or discoloured teeth, or in cats a pink defect at the gum line.
  • Baby teeth still present when adult teeth have come through.

Contact your nearest veterinarian or animal clinic. This site cannot assess your animal’s condition. Choosing a vet

In this guide (10)

How common is dental disease in cats and dogs?

Very common: WSAVA calls oral and dental disease the most common medical condition in companion animals, and periodontal disease can affect up to 90% of pets. The Cornell Feline Health Center reports that 50–90% of cats over four years old have some form of dental disease. It is painful and lowers quality of life, yet many animals keep eating and show no signs, because cats and dogs are good at hiding pain. PDSA explains that bacteria from tartar can enter the bloodstream and are linked with kidney, heart and liver problems. Prevention at home and regular veterinary checks are therefore better than waiting for signs.

Evidence: WSAVA — Global Dental Guidelines ↗ · WSAVA Global Dental Committee — Toothbrushing Toolkit ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Feline Dental Disease ↗ · PDSA — Dental disease in dogs ↗ · PDSA — Dental disease in cats ↗

What causes tartar and gum inflammation in pets?

The main cause is plaque, a film of bacteria, food debris and saliva that constantly builds up on teeth. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, plaque left for more than about three days hardens into tartar (calculus), which a toothbrush cannot remove. Bacteria at and below the gum line trigger gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums that can still be reversed with proper cleaning. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which destroys the supporting tissues and bone, and this damage is permanent. Small-breed dogs are more prone, while crowded teeth, retained baby teeth, age and infections such as cat flu, FIV and FeLV also raise the risk.

Cats also commonly develop tooth resorption, a breakdown of the tooth structure that starts inside the tooth and has no known cause. Cornell estimates it affects 20–60% of cats, and the lesions can be very painful. Merck lists pain when the tooth is touched, loss of appetite and drooling as possible signs, but many cats show none. Because it usually cannot be prevented, tooth resorption is typically found when a vet examines the cat's mouth and takes dental X-rays.

Evidence: Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version) — Dental Disorders of Cats ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version) — Dental Disorders of Dogs ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Feline Dental Disease ↗ · PDSA — Dental disease in cats ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Tooth Resorption ↗

What are the signs of dental problems in cats and dogs?

The most common signs are bad breath, red or bleeding gums, and a yellow-brown coating on the teeth. PDSA and Cornell also describe difficulty eating, such as chewing on one side, tilting the head, dropping food, swallowing without chewing, or preferring soft food. Pets may drool, sometimes with blood, paw at the mouth, lose appetite and weight, or have loose or broken teeth. Swelling on the face, especially below the eye, can mean a tooth root abscess. In cats, tooth resorption often first appears as a pink defect at the gum line, and a cat with a sore mouth may groom less. Many animals show no signs at all.

Evidence: PDSA — Dental disease in dogs ↗ · PDSA — Dental disease in cats ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Feline Dental Disease ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Tooth Resorption ↗

How do you brush a cat's or dog's teeth?

Brush your pet's teeth every day with a pet toothbrush and pet toothpaste, building up gradually over several weeks. Never use human toothpaste: Cornell warns that human products can be toxic to cats, whereas pet toothpaste is made to be safe to swallow. WSAVA recommends starting training from day one: touch your pet's face, lift the upper lip, touch one tooth, then gently massage along the gum line before moving to a brush. Regular brushing can start once the adult teeth are through, at about 6–7 months, or after a dental clean at the vet. Reward every step, stop if your pet is uncomfortable, and focus on the outer surfaces of the teeth along the gum line.

If the gums look very red, sore or bleeding, have your pet checked by a vet before you start brushing, because brushing inflamed gums can be very painful. If your pet will not accept a brush, Merck says wiping the teeth with gauze at least every two to three days can still remove plaque. Stop and contact your vet if your pet seems to be in pain or its gums bleed while brushing. Do not force an animal that resists having its mouth touched, so that you do not get bitten.

Evidence: WSAVA Global Dental Committee — Toothbrushing Toolkit ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Feline Dental Disease ↗ · PDSA — Dental disease in dogs ↗ · PDSA — Dental disease in cats ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version) — Dental Disorders of Dogs ↗

When should a vet check and clean your pet's teeth?

Ask your vet to check your pet's mouth at least once a year, for example at the annual vaccination, and sooner if you see signs of a problem. A thorough dental clean is done under general anaesthesia, because it must reach below the gum line and often includes dental X-rays. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that cleaning without anaesthesia may make teeth look better but does not treat the plaque below the gum line that drives the disease. Badly damaged teeth may need to be removed; cats and dogs usually cope very well without them. In kittens and puppies, the vet can also check for retained baby teeth and problems with the bite.

Evidence: WSAVA Global Dental Committee — Toothbrushing Toolkit ↗ · PDSA — Dental disease in dogs ↗ · PDSA — Dental disease in cats ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version) — Dental Disorders of Cats ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version) — Dental Disorders of Dogs ↗

Do bones, hard chews or dry food clean teeth?

Bones are not recommended for dental care. WSAVA explains that hard bones can fracture teeth and, if swallowed, block or damage the gut, while dogs fed raw meat and bones do not have less gum disease. Merck also notes that teeth often break from biting bones, hooves, antlers, hard nylon toys or rocks. Dry food and some dental treats or diets can help reduce plaque a little, but they do not replace brushing. Ask your vet which products have evidence behind them; Merck points to the list kept by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Count dental chews as part of the daily treat allowance so your pet does not gain weight.

Evidence: WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Raw Meat Based Diets for Pets ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version) — Dental Disorders of Dogs ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version) — Dental Disorders of Cats ↗ · PDSA — Dental disease in dogs ↗ · PDSA — Dental disease in cats ↗

Sources & references

  1. WSAVA — Global Dental Guidelines ↗
  2. WSAVA Global Dental Committee — Toothbrushing Toolkit ↗
  3. Cornell Feline Health Center — Feline Dental Disease ↗
  4. PDSA — Dental disease in dogs ↗
  5. PDSA — Dental disease in cats ↗
  6. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version) — Dental Disorders of Cats ↗
  7. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version) — Dental Disorders of Dogs ↗
  8. Cornell Feline Health Center — Tooth Resorption ↗
  9. WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗
  10. WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Raw Meat Based Diets for Pets ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.

Cite this page

PanduanHewan. (2026, 25 September). Dental care for cats and dogs: signs and prevention. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/dental-care-for-cats-and-dogs/