Tooth Fairy Appeal 🧚✨🦷

Can you remember the last time you experienced toothache? I’m sure you winced at the memory and the word “ouch” (or similar!) sprang to mind?

Now let’s talk cat! Imagine having to live with horrific dental infection, fractured teeth and gum disease, and the pain that causes. Cats will and do continue to carry out their usual behaviours, such as eating and drinking, even though they become difficult (yes, even dry food diets – imagine how sore that is). Sadly many of the cats who come to us have been living with this discomfort for a long time as they really are the absolute masters of hiding pain.

In the first four months of 2026, we had to carry out dental procedures on a staggering 21 cats that have come into our care.

We’ve seen cats with fractured upper canine teeth (sometimes multiple teeth), cats with dental infections, resorptive lesions, massive tartar build up. All of these cats have needed to undergo dental X-rays and extractions followed by a scale and polish of their healthy remaining teeth. It’s for this reason we've decided to launch our Tooth Fairy Appeal to help us continue to support the very best welfare in our feline friends.

We’re looking to raise £600 which will help to provide another cat that comes into care with the dental treatment they need to be pain free. Funds raised above and beyond this will continue to support other cats that come into our care.

Affecting up to 85% of cats over the age of three, dental disease is primarily caused by the build up of plaque and tartar, leading to painful conditions like gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth resorption.

See below this photo of Chick, aged 3 years and 11 months. He needed multiple extractions due to gingivitis (gum disease) and gum recession.

Oral health issues can be a great source of suffering for our pets, and cats often seem much more lively and content after treatment. Maintaining good oral health and keeping your cat’s teeth clean is likely to improve the quality of your cat’s life.

It's always recommended to get your cat a health check annually at the vets so anything affecting their health, especially dental disease, can be treated quickly. If your cat shows signs of discomfort sooner, then a vet check would be best.

While you may not notice they're suffering from dental issues, a check-up with the vet may reveal something surprising. Owners are often shocked by the severity of the teeth problems their cat is hiding.

Obvious symptoms of cat teeth problems and dental disease include:

• reduced grooming activity, leading to poor condition of your cat’s coat

• bad breath

• drooling

• discomfort when eating

• pawing at the mouth

• bleeding gums

• reduced appetite or weight loss

Some cats may need to have teeth removed, depending on what the vet finds.

If we raise above and beyond our target or cannot reach our target, then the funds will be used to help other cats and kittens in our care. 💜🐾

Cats Protection help more cats than any other organisation and we want to help millions more. We are a dedicated community of passionate employees, volunteers, supporters and partners, working together to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

We are the voice of cats in society and we speak up for their protection.

We’re working towards a society where every cat is treated with kindness and respect.

Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Find out more: www.cats.org.uk