Stomatitis in Cats: Signs, Causes and Treatment

What stomatitis is

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums alone. Stomatitis is more widespread and deeper: VCA Animal Hospitals describes inflammation of the mouth's lining that can involve the gums, tongue, inner lips and the floor and roof of the mouth, sometimes extending into the throat. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that in cats it tends to worsen over time and to affect the back of the mouth and upper throat in particular.

The exact cause is unproven. Both sources describe it as most likely an abnormal immune reaction to bacteria and plaque on the tooth surfaces, which is why removing the teeth often helps. Merck notes that many affected cats carry feline calicivirus long term, and VCA notes that viruses that affect immunity, such as FIV and feline leukemia virus, may play a role. It can affect cats of any age.

Signs of stomatitis in cats

Pain is the defining feature. Merck lists severe pain when opening the mouth, bad breath, drooling and difficulty swallowing, and describes cats that walk up to the food bowl, seem interested, and then pull away. Some cats cry out when they try to eat, chew on one side, drop food, or will only take soft food.

Because grooming hurts too, the coat often looks unkempt or greasy, and drool may stain the chin and front legs. Over weeks to months, cats eat less and lose weight. If you can see inside the mouth, the tissues at the back near the throat may look bright red, swollen or raw and may bleed easily. These signs overlap with other mouth problems, including tumors, so an exam is needed to tell them apart.

When to call your vet today

Book an appointment promptly if your cat has bad breath, is drooling, is pawing at its mouth, is dropping food or has started refusing dry food. A cat still eating a little can still have a very sore mouth. Call the same day if your cat has eaten little or nothing for a day.

If your cat has already been treated for stomatitis, call when signs return or if it stops eating after dental surgery. Some cats need ongoing medical care even after extractions, and your vet will want to adjust the plan before weight loss sets in.

When it's an emergency

Stomatitis is usually a painful long-term problem rather than an emergency, but go to your vet or the nearest emergency vet immediately if your cat has not eaten or drunk anything for a day or more, is weak or very quiet, or has a mouth that is bleeding heavily. Cats that stop eating can become seriously ill quickly.

Also seek urgent care if your cat suddenly has trouble breathing or swallowing, has a rapidly swelling face or jaw, or has drooling with collapse, trembling or seizures, since those signs suggest something other than stomatitis, such as a toxin or an abscess, and need same-day attention.

What you can safely do at home

Do not give pain relievers or any human medicine; many are toxic to cats, and only your vet can decide what is safe. Do not try to brush or clean a very sore mouth before your vet has seen it, because Cornell Feline Health Center advises asking a vet before brushing a cat with severe gum inflammation.

What helps in the meantime is making eating easier. Offer soft, smooth wet food, warmed slightly to room temperature so it smells more appealing, in a shallow dish. Keep fresh water nearby and wipe drool from the chin with a soft, damp cloth. Track how much your cat actually eats each day, and its weight if you can, to share with your vet.

What the vet will likely check

Diagnosis rests mainly on the cat's history and how the mouth looks. Because the mouth is so painful, a full exam usually needs sedation or anesthesia. VCA notes that dental X-rays assess the roots and supporting bone, and blood and urine tests look for underlying illness. Merck adds that a small tissue sample may be taken to rule out cancer, which can look similar. Your vet may also test for FIV and feline leukemia virus.

Treatment aims to reduce the inflammation. VCA describes extraction of some or all teeth as having the greatest effect, and Merck reports that early extraction of the back teeth improved or resolved inflammation in about 60 to 80 percent of cats, while delaying it gives poorer results. Pain relief, anti-inflammatory medicine and antibiotics where infection is present may be used alongside, and some cats need medical management even after surgery. Cats generally eat well without teeth once they heal.

Living with stomatitis and prevention

Because the cause is not fully known, stomatitis cannot always be prevented. Good dental care lowers the plaque the immune system reacts to: Cornell recommends daily brushing with a toothpaste made for cats, introduced gradually, and VCA mentions home care such as brushing and vet-prescribed mouth rinses or gels for cats that still have some teeth. Regular checkups help catch gum inflammation early.

The outlook varies, and your vet will judge it case by case, but most cats feel far more comfortable after treatment, eat better and start grooming again. Keep follow-up visits so your vet can catch any return of inflammation early.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.