Study reveals feline periodontal disease risk factors
Periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed disorder in cats in the UK.
Age is the strongest predictor of periodontal disease in cats, according to a new study by researchers at the Royal Veterinary College.
The study found that the average age of cats with periodontal disease is 9.47 years, much higher than the average age of 4.94 years for cats without the disorder.
Periodontal disease is estimated to affect 1.8 million cats in the UK every year, making it the most commonly diagnosed feline disease in the UK. It can be hard to spot, as cats naturally try to hide the pain and discomfort which the disease can cause them.
As well as the increased risk as cats grow older, the researchers found that weight was also a significant factor. Cats weighing between 4-7kg were at higher risk of periodontal disease than cats weighing less than 3kg.
The breeds most at risk of developing the disorder were Siamese, Maine coon, and British short hair, according to the study.
The researchers also found that cats diagnosed with periodontal disease were more likely to have other health conditions, being 2.3 times more at risk of having a condition such as cardiac dysrhythmia, ear discharge, or hairball/furball.
The study, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, was part of the VetCompass research project. Researchers involved in the programme use a database of veterinary clinical records to investigate the range and frequency of health problems in pets and identify risk factors for common diseases.
This latest study looked at a random sample of 18,249 cats taken from the 1,255,130 cats whose veterinary clinical records from 2019 are included in the database.
Dan O’Neill, lead author of the study, said: “Although everyone who loves cats wants to make their lives happier and healthier, sadly we often are not even aware when our cats are suffering from dental pain. This study helps owners to understand how common and serious dental problems are for cats.
“There are many ways owners can help support their good oral health in cats. This includes establishing a routine, brushing at roughly the same time each day and using a veterinary/cat toothpaste which is safe for your pet. It is important to start gradually to allow your cat to get used to the taste and accustomed to having their mouth opened before attempting brushing. If you are in doubt about the health of your cat’s teeth, please do ask your vet for advice.”
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
