SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cat-dental-hide-pain

A cat eats normally and acts fine. Can it still have painful dental disease?

Yes, cats often hide dental pain.

Start playing free

  1. No, cats always stop eating
  2. Only if it is a kitten
  3. Yes, cats often hide dental pain ✔

Why: Cats are good at masking pain. iCatCare says it is not uncommon for cats to show no signs yet have severe dental disease. Regular vet exams catch it.

Huh, didn't know that: iCatCare says reduced grooming and pawing at the mouth can also be signs of dental disease.

The dad joke
Why was the cat sitting on the computer? He wanted to keep an eye on the mouse.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Yes, cats often hide dental pain. Cats are good at masking pain. iCatCare says it is not uncommon for cats to show no signs yet have severe dental disease. Regular vet exams catch it.

  1. iCatCare, Dental disease in cats icatcare.org/articles/dental-disease-in-cats
    Cats will often hide signs of pain, so it's also not uncommon for them to show no signs yet have severe dental disease.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

CatsAccording to iCatCare, how well do cats tend to mask signs of illness?CatsEarly in kidney disease, what do many cats show?CatsAs many as what share of cats aged three and older have some dental disease, per iCatCare?

That's stuff everyone should know.