Your cat's teeth: what every owner should know
Draft · pending vet review · Published 5/21/2026
By age 3, 70% of cats have some form of dental disease. Most owners never notice until the cat stops eating — by then, multiple extractions are usually required.
What to watch for
- Bad breath (not normal — even adult cats should not smell foul)
- Visible tartar (yellow-brown crust on teeth)
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Drooling, especially one-sided
- Pawing at the mouth
- Eating only soft food / chewing on one side
- Sudden weight loss
Home care that actually works
- Brushing — yes, you can brush a cat's teeth, but only if you start young and patiently. Pet-specific toothpaste only (human paste is toxic). Start with a finger brush, work up to a tiny pet toothbrush. 2-3 times per week is enough.
- Dental treats and chews — look for the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal. Most "dental treats" in pet stores are useless.
- Dental diets — large-kibble formulas designed to scrape teeth as the cat chews. Hill's t/d and Royal Canin Dental are the established ones.
- Water additives — chlorhexidine-based, added to water bowl. Modest benefit at best.
What doesn't replace professional cleaning
Home care reduces but doesn't eliminate the need for vet dental cleaning under anesthesia. Adult cats typically need a professional clean every 1–3 years.
"Anesthesia-free" dental cleanings
Widely advertised, rarely beneficial. Cats won't sit still for a thorough cleaning of the inner surfaces or under the gumline — which is where the actual disease lives. They look cleaner but the problem continues underneath.
Tooth resorption
A condition where the cat's own body absorbs the tooth from the inside. Painful. Extremely common in cats over 5. Only diagnosable on dental X-ray — which is part of a proper veterinary dental.
Cost of vet dental in GCC
- Basic clean + scaling: 800–1,500 AED
- With extractions: 1,500–4,000 AED
- Dental X-rays included by reputable clinics — ask before booking
Insurance varies. Many GCC pet insurance policies cover dental disease as long as it's not pre-existing.