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Gingivitis is a common condition that causes your cat’s gums to become inflamed. The main symptoms include inflamed or bleeding gums, difficulty eating and bad breath.
It is usually caused by a build-up of plaque and bacteria on your cat’s teeth, causing inflammation and infection along the gumline. At this stage, the inflammation is limited to the gums, and has not yet caused permanent damage to the teeth or supporting bone.
A few things can cause gingivitis. Plaque and tartar buildup are the main culprits. Overcrowding of the teeth can also be a cause. This is a problem common in flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like Persians. If you don’t brush your cats’ teeth, the plaque and tartar build up over time, causing oral pain and tooth decay. The longer that gingivitis is left untreated, the worse the condition gets.
If your cat has underlying conditions like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukaemia virus, cat flu (feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus), or diabetes, their immune system will be weaker, making them more prone to gingivitis.
There are several signs of gingivitis in cats to watch out for, but some can be tricky to spot. The main symptoms are:
Sometimes cats might not show any symptoms. But you can help by keeping their teeth clean and getting them checked by a vet once a year.
Veterinarian Dr Corinne Wigfall says, “As a vet, I see many cats suffering from gingivitis and tooth decay. Cats don’t always let us know they are in pain. Having a vet check their teeth at least once a year can help spot the early signs of dental disease. The sooner the disease is spotted, the easier it is to reverse or treat.”
Routine teeth brushing with pet safe toothpaste to remove plaque build-up is the best prevention for gingivitis. If your cat has more advanced gingivitis, then the following treatment options might be recommended by your vet.
When gingivitis is acutely inflamed, anti-inflammatories or antibiotics can help ease the inflammation and infection in your cat’s mouth. Antibiotics are not routinely used for gingivitis alone, but may be prescribed if there is evidence of infection or in cats with underlying illness. Medications are usually supportive rather than curative.
Decay and plaque build-up can push down into your cat’s gums, so x-rays can help your vet find any disease below the gumline.
In more severe cases, your vet may recommend removing affected teeth. This is particularly important if teeth are loose, painful, or affected by resorption or advanced disease. Cats generally cope very well after extractions and can eat comfortably once pain is removed.
In selected cases, particularly where there is excessive gum tissue or chronic inflammation, your vet may recommend a gingivectomy (partial removal of inflamed gum tissue). This is not suitable for all cats and is typically reserved for specific cases and performed by a specialist.
The outlook for gingivitis depends on the underlying cause and how early it is treated. Mild gingivitis can often be well controlled with dental treatment and ongoing home care.
Some cats, however, develop more severe inflammatory conditions, such as chronic gingivostomatitis, which can be difficult to manage and may require long-term treatment or tooth extractions. Not all cases can be completely cured, but most can be improved to maintain a good quality of life.
“In my years of practice, I often see gingivitis quietly creeping up. Many owners assume their cat’s breath is just normal, or mistake mild gum reddening for messiness after eating.
“It’s important to note that early signs such as occasional reluctance to chew hard food, drooling or subtle pawing at the mouth can suggest gingival inflammation before it becomes painful or causes tooth loss.
“Prompt veterinary dental checks and regular tooth‑brushing (even just the gums) can make a real difference. In my experience, cats whose oral care is maintained early tend to avoid more serious periodontal disease, are spared discomfort, and can often enjoy a longer, happier life with fewer vet interventions.”
Emma Chandley – BVetMed PGCert SAS MRCVS
Treatment for gingivitis can be costly when it comes to tooth extraction. If you’re taking out cat insurance, it’s worth considering dental illness cover as an optional extra in case your cat develops gingivitis.
Has your cat had gingivitis before? If you do choose to add dental illness cover as an optional extra to your policy, make sure you tell us about any medication or symptoms they’ve had in the last 2 years. Cover is subject to acceptance*.
Find out more about pre-existing medical condition insurance.
Choosing Petgevity to protect your pets gives you more than just vet fee cover. Here's what you get from our policy.
Dental accident
Covers your pet up to the chosen vet fee limit if they have a dental accident or injury. Always be sure to take your pet for annual dental check-ups, and follow your vet’s advice.
Behavioural treatment
Get expert help with your pet’s mental and emotional wellbeing, as advised by your vet. Cover up to your chosen vet fee amount or the cost of up to 12 sessions, whichever is lower (Lifetime Plus); or up to £1,000 (Lifetime).
Complementary therapy
As advised by your vet, this covers alternative treatments like acupuncture or hydrotherapy. Cover up to your chosen vet fee amount (Lifetime Plus); or up to chosen vet fee amount or £1,500, whichever is lower (Lifetime).
Emergency care
If you can’t look after your pet due to an emergency, such as an unplanned hospital visit, this covers you for up to £1,500 (Lifetime Plus) in minding costs.
Third-party liability for dogs
Covers you for legal costs if your dog causes injury to somebody or their pet, or causes loss or damage to someone’s property. Protects you for up to £2 million in a legal action.
Choice of optional extras
Need extra protection? Choose from several optional extras to cover your pet’s needs, including dental illness, or cover if your pet is stolen or lost.
†For Lifetime Plus policies only – details correct as of 10 September 2024 via competitor websites. Competitor products are subject to their own T&Cs and can have different limits and requirements for cats versus dogs at different ages. For full details, please check the relevant policy wording. For full details of Petgevity pet insurance, please read our policy wording.
You can treat your cat’s gingivitis in a few ways:
Your vet will be able to suggest a personalised plan.
Gingivitis is not contagious to other people or pets. But if you are bitten by a cat accidentally, always visit the doctor as the bacteria can cause serious infections in people.
The best toothpaste is flavoured pet safe toothpaste. Always check the ingredients to make sure there is no xylitol, which is toxic to cats.
*Cover for pre-existing medical conditions is subject to acceptance. They will not be covered unless you have declared them and they are shown on your Confirmation of Cover.
**Illnesses and symptoms won’t be covered in the first 14 days and accidents won’t be covered in the first 2 days of the policy. This is unless you are switching from another lifetime pet insurance product with no break in cover and the claim you want to make would have been covered by your previous policy. Other exclusions may apply to other sections.