At Veterinary Dental Specialists of Missouri, we see a lot of cats that are in need of extraction of painful teeth. Clients are sometimes concerned about how their cat will recover after the extractions and what accommodations will need to be made during and after the healing process. We reassure our clients that most cats will recover quickly after the surgery and often seem to be younger and more playful within the few weeks following the removal of the painful teeth.
Because cats can be a prey species for larger animals, they are extremely skilled at hiding their pain. So skilled, in fact, that when cats come into the clinic for the first time, they often have painful oral disease that they have been hiding for months to years. In order to help relieve that pain, we go through a series of steps to help our feline patients.
Anesthesia and Pain Management During Surgery
The first step we take is to use injectable anesthetic medications to relieve pain and anxiety. These medications are often continued as continuous IV infusions during the procedure, providing pain control at the brain level. Our Board Certified Veterinary Anesthesiologist® chooses these medications as a custom plan for each individual patient and closely monitors and directs the anesthesia from start to finish.
Once our patient is comfortably under anesthesia and has had high-quality imaging done, the Board Certified Veterinary Dentist® performs a nerve block for each section (quadrant) of the mouth that will have teeth extracted. These nerve blocks provide additional pain control at the regional level. Stopping pain in multiple locations provides improved comfort during and after the procedure.
Tissue Preservation During the Procedure
Knowing that increased tissue damage causes increased pain and slower healing after surgery, each part of the procedure is designed to minimize tissue trauma. From high-quality imaging with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to assist in accurately finding the diseased tissues, to using well-maintained and sharpened instruments, to gentle tissue handling techniques and suturing with thin, less reactive suture materials, everything is done with the patient’s comfort and healing in mind.
Pain Management and Medication After Cat Dental Extractions
Following a procedure, each patient is prescribed pain medications appropriate for their expected level of pain. Clients are instructed in what to watch for to indicate good or poor pain control, and a Registered Veterinary Technician (the veterinary equivalent of a human registered nurse) is available to answer any questions that they might have after they go home.
Care at Home for Your Cat Immediately Following Dental Extractions
Any client whose pet has undergone oral surgery is instructed to feed soft food until the scheduled recheck, usually two to three weeks after the procedure. It is essential for healing and for overall health that patients start eating shortly after their procedure. In cases with extensive extractions or cats that have a tendency to stop eating with stress, an appetite stimulant may be sent home to encourage a normal appetite. In some cases, a special protective collar will be used to prevent the patient from traumatizing the sensitive tissues while they heal. Fortunately, the tissues of the mouth heal quickly, and this is not a long-term requirement.
The Recheck Appointment
The scheduled post-procedure recheck appointment is important for monitoring healing and giving additional recommendations for ongoing care. It provides a chance for the doctor to assess whether it is time to move back to a regular diet and consider beginning home care or any additional treatments that might be necessary. One of the things we often hear owners say is that their pet seems to have become younger and has a new lease on life. They are more playful and interactive. Clients are often grateful for the changes and come with a new understanding of the major impact dental health can have on the quality of life of their companion.
Accommodations for a Cat After Dental Extractions
Most clients are surprised to find out that their cat requires few to no accommodations after having teeth extracted. Because eating has become more comfortable, most cats go back to their normal eating behavior fairly quickly. If a cat has had a large number of teeth extracted, sometimes continued soaking of the food or feeding canned food is necessary. Amazingly, some cats, even those with full mouth extractions, will continue to prefer their dry kibble once the extraction sites have healed and the soft food restriction has been removed. Cats are amazingly adaptable and will find ways to still enjoy their favorite things.
What Is the Next Step If I Think My Cat Has an Oral Problem?
If you think your cat is in need of oral/dental treatment, contact your veterinarian for an oral exam, give us a call at 636-695-9955, or fill out our new client form to request an appointment. We would be glad to answer any questions you might have, and we would love to see your kitty and create a treatment plan to help your feline friend have a healthy and pain-free mouth.
Photo by Dorothe Wouters on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 05/28/2026