Does your cat’s mouth hurt? It can be hard to tell! Find out the signs of mouth pain in cats, and what to do if you think your cat’s mouth is painful.
Can Cats Get Toothaches?
Yes, cats can get toothaches! Toothaches and other causes of mouth pain can be very painful for cats, just like they can for people. Because cats are so good at hiding their illnesses, it can be very difficult to tell when your cat’s mouth is hurting. Most of the time, mouth pain in cats is because of gingivitis or periodontal disease. The first step in treating these diseases is a thorough dental cleaning.
Signs of Mouth Pain in Cats
There are some obvious signs you may notice if your cat’s mouth hurts.
- Drooling
- Pawing at face
- Flinching when you touch his face
- Dropping food
Some of the signs of mouth pain are not as clear and could be caused by something else.
- Excessive grooming of front paws and/or face
- Not eating hard treats or kibble, but still eating soft food
- Only chewing on one side of the mouth
- Not eating any food
- Red-colored (bloody) drool
- Swelling and/or warmth on the face
What to Do if Your Cat’s Mouth Hurts
If you notice your cat showing any of the signs listed above, please call us or come in. It can be very difficult to determine what is going on with your cat without a full examination, including an examination of his mouth. Depending on what they find on the exam, our veterinarians may recommend further tests like radiographs (x-rays) or bloodwork. Once we determine the cause of your pet’s mouth pain, we can make treatment recommendations.
