Routine Dental Care May Add Two Years to a Cat’s Life

Dental disease affects the majority of cats over the age of four, and most owners only find out when something is badly wrong.

The teeth are rarely the real problem. Chronic oral infection puts a steady load on the kidneys and heart, and in cats — who hide pain with unusual skill — it can run for years before anyone notices a change.

The practical version is dull and cheap: get the mouth looked at once a year, and ask your vet to actually show you what they are seeing.

It is not a cure for anything. It is just one of the few interventions where a small, boring habit buys a genuinely meaningful amount of time.