Pet parents sometimes think of dental pain as an issue for teething kittens and older cats, but your young cat can experience dental pain, too. In fact, some feline dental conditions are more likely to develop in a juvenile or young cat.
Why do cats mask their pain?
Cats are thought to be more stoic in the face of pain than our canine companions. While some dogs can be quite dramatic about rather small injuries, your cat might act relatively normal while dealing with significant pain. This is believed to be an evolutionary trait that protected the cat’s wild ancestors. If a cat’s ancestors showed pain or distress, they were more likely to become a target for predators.
How to tell if your young cat has dental pain
Some signs that your cat has dental pain may be more obvious, such as:
- Reluctance to eat, especially hard food or treats
- Dropping food
- Hypersalivation
- Pawing at the face
More subtle signs that your cat could be experiencing dental plain include:
- Decreased activity levels
- Poor grooming habits
- Reluctance to have their face or chin petted or scratched
What causes a toothache in young cats?
Older cats are more likely to have significant periodontal disease and feline oral resorptive lesions (FORL) as sources of dental pain. We think of different causes of dental pain in young cats, such as:
Tooth fractures
Young cats can break teeth when playing, biting or chewing. The layers of the teeth under the enamel are sensitive, meaning exposure to air and cold is painful. If the tooth breaks deep enough that there is exposure of its soft center (the pulp), infection can also get into the tooth and cause significant pain.
Stomatitis
Stomatitis is a very painful condition in which the mucous membranes of the mouth (gums, tongue, inner surfaces of lips, floor and/or roof of the mouth) become inflamed. Stomatitis in cats is currently thought to be caused by an overreaction of the immune system to the bacteria in dental plaque. Cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are more likely to develop stomatitis. The gums will often bleed, contributing a metallic smell to the young cat’s halitosis.
Stomatitis can develop at any age, but it usually develops after the adult teeth grow in and progressively worsen as the cat ages.
Oral ulcers
Ulcers in the mouth are painful. Some cats with oral ulcers will have difficulty eating food and grooming themselves due to the severity of the pain. You may also notice hypersalivation. Ulcers can form for a variety of reasons, including upper respiratory viruses like calicivirus, immune system conditions like eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC) or from biting an electric cord and getting shocked.
How to take care of a cat with a toothache
If your cat has a toothache, you’ll want to consult with your VCA care team to determine the underlying cause. If your cat has a tooth fracture or stomatitis, they will need a dental cleaning with special treatments or extractions. Dental cleanings in kittens are recommended by the time they are 1 year old and then every year afterwards.
Your veterinarian will prescribe appropriate pain medications for ulcers or any dental conditions.
You can prevent some causes of toothache in young cats with appropriate at-home oral hygiene. Veterinary dentists recommend brushing your cat’s teeth at least once daily. For cats who don’t tolerate getting their teeth brushed, you can consider dental treats, water additives, dental wipes and dental diets. For products proven to be effective, look for the seal of the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
