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Feline chronic gingivostomatitis
Feline chronic gingivostomatitis is an intense and long-lasting inflammation of the cat's mouth. The gums, the inside of the cheeks and especially the back of the throat become red, swollen and very painful. It is not simple gingivitis: the...
What is it?
Feline chronic gingivostomatitis is an intense and long-lasting inflammation of the cat's mouth. The gums, the inside of the cheeks and especially the back of the throat become red, swollen and very painful. It is not simple gingivitis: the inflammation extends well beyond the edge of the teeth and extends to neighboring mucous membranes. It resists simple descaling and evolves in spurts. It is one of the most painful conditions encountered in cats. However, many animals continue to appear in front of their bowl, which often misleads the owners.
Key point
It is a very painful disease, often underestimated because the cat continues to be interested in its food. A cat that does not complain can suffer greatly.
Commonly observed signs
These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.
Related signs — each one links to its page:
Very bad breath, often the first sign noticed at home.
Profuse salivation, sometimes tinged with blood, with permanently wet chin and chest.
The cat approaches its bowl, begins to eat then suddenly steps back, shaking its head.
He sorts his food, suddenly prefers wet food, leaves the kibble.
He stops grooming himself: the coat becomes dull and matted, especially on the back and hindquarters.
Progressive weight loss, withdrawal, refusal to be stroked around the head.
Some cats cry or yawn with difficulty when you approach their mouth.
When to consult without delay
This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.
Causes and risk factors
The origin is an excessive immune reaction: the cat's defense system goes into overdrive against the dental plaque and bacteria that normally cover the teeth.
This imbalance maintains inflammation which no longer stops, even when the quantity of plaque is low.
Viral infections are frequently associated, particularly feline calicivirus, which appears to maintain oral inflammation.
Cats carrying feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukosis (FeLV) develop more severe forms that are more difficult to control.
The exact cause of the disorder is not completely understood: several factors combine in the same animal.
Cats living in communities, shelters or large groups, where oral viruses circulate easily.
Cats carrying FIV or FeLV.
History of repeated respiratory infections in young age.
Total absence of dental maintenance, which allows plaque to accumulate and maintains immune stimulation.
The disease can appear at any age, including young adults.
Diagnosis and care
Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.
The veterinarian examines the mouth, but a cat in pain rarely allows itself to be handled: a complete examination under anesthesia is almost always necessary.
Dental x-rays are taken at the same time: they reveal damaged roots, resorptions or infections invisible to the naked eye.
Blood screening for FIV and FeLV is systematically proposed, because it changes the prognosis and the strategy.
A general blood test assesses the cat's condition before anesthesia and looks for associated disease, particularly kidney disease.
In atypical cases, a sample of the mucosa is analyzed to rule out an oral tumor.
Treatment
The first procedure is a complete sanitation of the mouth under anesthesia: scaling, care and removal of affected teeth.
When inflammation persists, removal of premolars and molars, or even all of the teeth, is the standard treatment. It seems radical but it is the one that gives the best results: by removing the surfaces where plaque clings, we remove the target of the immune reaction.
A toothless cat eats very well, including kibble, once the mouth has healed.
Pain management is an integral part of the treatment and continues after the procedure, with painkillers prescribed by the veterinarian.
Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or immunomodulators can be used in addition, over defined periods. They provide relief but do not resolve the cause: they do not replace dental care.
Never give human medicine to a cat, especially common anti-inflammatories from your medicine cabinet: they are toxic to them.
Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.
Prevention
There is no sure way to prevent the disease, but we can limit the factors that maintain it.
A check of the mouth at each annual visit allows you to spot gingivitis before it spreads.
Dental brushing, when the cat accepts it and is started gently from a young age, reduces plaque accumulation.
Basic vaccination, which covers calicivirus in particular, limits recurrent respiratory and oral infections.
Avoiding overpopulation and isolating new arrivals during an assessment reduces the circulation of viruses in a group of cats.
Possible complications
Malnutrition and marked weight loss in cats who end up no longer eating at all.
Dehydration, which aggravates a fragile kidney in older cats.
Deep dental infections and root abscesses.
Untreated chronic pain permanently modifies behavior: the cat hides, becomes irritable, ceases all interaction.
In rare cases, an oral lesion that does not heal reveals a tumor: this is why an isolated and persistent lesion should always be examined.
When to see a veterinarian
Your cat has had very bad breath for several days.
He drools, constantly licks his lips or has a constantly wet chin.
He is hungry, approaches the bowl, but backs away or cries when he is ready to swallow.
He has stopped grooming himself and his fur is becoming dull and matted.
He has refused to eat for more than twenty-four hours: consult without delay, a cat who no longer eats weakens very quickly.
You see blood in his saliva or on his toys.
Prognosis
The disease can be controlled rather than cured, but the result is often spectacular when dental care is complete: a large majority of cats return to normal comfort of life, regain weight and resume grooming.
Some animals have residual inflammation requiring monitoring and occasional treatments.
Cats carrying FIV or FeLV respond less well and require longer support.
The earlier the treatment is received, the better the result: waiting allows chronic pain to set in that is difficult to eradicate.
Frequently asked questions
Can descaling alone be enough?
Rarely. Scaling removes visible tartar but does not calm the immune reaction. In most affected cats, lasting improvement requires the removal of the affected teeth, decided after dental x-rays.
Will my cat be able to eat without his teeth?
Yes, and often better than before. The cat swallows its kibble more than it chews it. Once the gums heal, most cats regain a normal appetite and gain weight.
Is it contagious to my other cats?
The disease itself is not contagious: it is a disorder specific to the animal. On the other hand, the viruses that accompany it, such as calicivirus, are transmitted between cats. Talk to your veterinarian if you have more than one.
Are antibiotics enough when it comes back?
They often calm the flare-up for a few weeks, then the signs return. Repeating them without treating the mouth exposes you to bacterial resistance without solving the underlying problem.
References
AAFP — American Association of Feline Practitioners
Content reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team · Updated 09 August 2026
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