Gingivitis in cats is common, sometimes benign, sometimes frankly painful. With proper care, we can really improve the cat's quality of life 🐾

What is gingivitis?

It is an inflammation of the gums, often bright red, swollen, and painful, especially around the teeth.
When the inflammation extends throughout the mouth, it is called gingivostomatitis.

Common causes

Often several factors at once:

Dental plaque and tartar (cause #1)

• bacterial accumulation

• poor oral hygiene

Excessive immune reaction

• the cat "attacks" the bacteria in its mouth

• very common in chronic gingivitis

Associated diseases

• FIV

• FeLV

• sometimes calicivirus

• Hence the importance of testing for FIV/FeLV in cases of severe or persistent gingivitis.

Symptoms to look for

• red or bleeding gums

• bad breath

• pain when chewing

• decreased appetite, picky eating

• drooling (sometimes with blood)

• rubbing the mouth, becoming irritable

• weight loss if chronic

Many cats eat despite the pain → gingivitis is often underestimated.

Diagnosis

At the vet:

• mouth examination (sometimes under sedation)

• complete dental assessment

• dental X-rays if necessary

• FIV / FeLV tests depending on the context

💊 Possible treatments (depending on severity)

Mild to moderate cases

• dental scaling under anesthesia

• anti-inflammatories

• sometimes antibiotics

• local care (mouthwashes, gels)

Severe chronic cases (gingivostomatitis)

• immunomodulatory treatments

• pain management

• partial or total tooth extractions
  👉 impressive, but often very effective: cats eat better and suffer much less afterwards.

🏠 Prevention & home care

• quality food

• dental kibble or food if tolerated

• gels or mouthwashes (without brushing if the cat refuses)

• regular veterinary check-ups

• stress reduction (important for immunity)

🧠 Key takeaways

✔ Gingivitis = painful disease, not just aesthetic
✔ Often chronic → requires real follow-up
✔ Cats can live much better after treatment, even without teeth