The Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) has published the 2025 Feline Oral Health and Dental Care Guidelines, designed to assist veterinary teams in providing high standards of oral and dental care for cats. Authored by a task force of board-certified veterinary specialists and a veterinary technician specialist in dentistry, the guidelines are featured in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
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Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, co-chair of the task force, emphasized the importance of these guidelines, stating that oral and dental diseases are some of the most common, yet often overlooked, health issues in cats. The guidelines offer veterinary professionals practical, evidence-based recommendations for the early diagnosis and management of these conditions, which can enhance the quality of life for feline patients.
Supported by an educational grant from Dechra, the guidelines incorporate the latest insights and expert consensus on feline oral health. They include figures and tables to aid understanding. The guidelines specifically address various feline oral and dental diseases such as periodontal disease, early-onset gingivitis, chronic osteitis/alveolitis, developmental abnormalities, chronic gingivostomatitis, tooth resorption, masses and growths, and oral and dental trauma.
In addition, the guidelines provide insight into anesthesia and analgesia, detailing pain management strategies during surgery, as well as preoperative and postoperative care. The authors stress that multimodal perioperative analgesia and anesthesia are crucial for cats experiencing oral and dental disease or recovering from surgery.
A key aspect of the guidelines is empowering all members of the veterinary team to engage in patient care, which encompasses client communication and postoperative support. They also outline principles of individualized dental care based on patient needs and available resources, urging caregivers to take an active role in preventive oral health and home dental care.
Other significant topics covered in the guidelines include patient assessment, documentation, workflow, tooth extraction considerations, nutritional support, and the use of systemic antibiotics, along with supplemental resources like instructional videos and client materials. Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (Feline), another co-chair of the task force, noted the significance of oral health in overall feline wellbeing, advocating for coordinated efforts among veterinary teams and educating pet owners to ensure that cats receive necessary dental care.