As the first cat vets in the area we are very excited to offer this as part of our referral service open to all (both registered clients and those registered elsewhere).

Why does my cat need a dental procedure?

Dental disease is one of the most common health problems affecting cats, with more than 70% of cats developing dental disease during their lifetime. Unfortunately, cats are very good at hiding pain, so many continue eating and behaving normally despite significant discomfort.

Untreated dental disease can cause chronic pain, difficulty eating, bad breath, infection, tooth loss and inflammation. It may also contribute to other health problems, either due to inflammation or by allowing bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream. Dental disease increases the risk of chronic kidney disease - an already common disease in older cats.

Early diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve your cat's comfort, quality of life and long-term health.

What is a COHAT?

A Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) is the gold standard for diagnosing and treating dental disease in cats.

Unlike a simple 'scale and polish', a COHAT is a comprehensive dental procedure performed under a general anaesthetic. It allows every tooth to be examined both above and below the gum line, where the majority of painful dental disease occurs.

During your cat's COHAT we will:

• Perform a full oral examination,
• Chart every tooth individually,
• Take a complete set of dental X-rays using advanced 3D dental imaging technology and assess each tooth for hidden disease.
• Professionally clean the teeth using an ultrasonic scaler.
• Remove any teeth that are diseased, painful or beyond repair.

Because many dental problems cannot be seen without X-rays, a COHAT ensures your cat receives the most accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Why can't you tell me beforehand how many teeth will need removing?

This is one of the most common questions we are asked.

Much of a cat's dental disease lies below the gum line, where it cannot be seen during an awake examination. Conditions such as tooth resorption, fractured roots and hidden infections may only be identified once your cat is under anaesthetic, the teeth have been fully examined, charted and dental X-rays have been reviewed.

For this reason, it is often impossible to accurately predict how many teeth will require extraction before the procedure begins.

Why do you charge a fixed price instead of charging per extraction?

We believe a fixed-price package offers the fairest and most transparent approach for owners.

Many practices charge according to the number of teeth removed, which often means providing a very wide estimate beforehand because nobody knows exactly how many extractions will be required until the COHAT is underway. In addition many practices will charge additional amounts for medications, local anaesthetic blocks, fluid therapy, pre-op blood tests and after care appointments. This can end up meaning that Owners are left with a significantly larger bill than originally estimated. 

Instead, we charge a flat fee of £995. This means you receive a clear quote before your cat's procedure, without worrying about unexpected costs if additional diseased teeth are discovered during treatment. Plus the highest level of care is given to your cat.

Our focus is on providing the treatment your cat needs - not counting the number of extractions.

What is included in the £995 package?

Our comprehensive COHAT package includes everything your cat needs for safe, high-quality dental care:

Pre-operative blood testing.
Complete oral health assessment and dental charting.
Full-mouth dental X-rays using the latest 3D dental imaging technology.
Professional ultrasonic scaling.
General anaesthesia with full monitoring and highly trained staff.
Local anaesthetic nerve blocks for additional pain control.
Intravenous fluid therapy.
Pain relief during and after the procedure.
Unlimited extractions where clinically necessary.
A staged procedure if extensive treatment is required.
All medications required during recovery.
All Post-operative examinations
Hospitalization overnight if required on the night of the procedure.
Any follow-up treatments needed during the healing period.

There are no additional charges based on the number of teeth removed.

Do all cats need dental X-rays?

Yes. The majority of feline dental disease is hidden beneath the gum line and cannot be diagnosed by looking at the visible crown of the tooth alone.

Dental X-rays are considered the standard of care in modern veterinary dentistry and allow us to detect disease that would otherwise remain untreated. 

 At Happy Cats, we've heavily invested in the most advanced 3D dental X-ray system available because we believe every cat deserves the highest standard of dental care. This technology allows us to identify hidden disease with exceptional precision and in a much shorter time than traditional models, ensuring no painful teeth are overlooked and anesthetic time is minimised.  

Is it safe for my cat to have multiple teeth removed?

Yes. Cats generally cope remarkably well after dental extractions and often feel significantly better once painful teeth have been removed.

Many owners notice positive changes after treatment, including improved appetite, increased activity, more grooming, and a happier, more affectionate personality.

Can my own vet refer my cat?

Absolutely. As the first cat-only veterinary practice in the area to offer this advanced dental service, we are delighted to provide feline dentistry as part of our referral service.

We welcome referrals from veterinary practices across the region and are equally happy to see both cats registered with us and cats registered with other veterinary practices for dental treatment.

Our aim is to provide dedicated feline dental care while working closely with your usual vet to ensure the best possible outcome for your cat.

Who will be carrying out my cat's dental procedure?

Your cat's COHAT will be performed by one of our experienced feline veterinary surgeons, who holds a Certificate in Feline Practice and has undertaken additional training in feline dentistry. With significant experience in diagnosing and treating feline dental disease, they are dedicated to providing the highest standard of dental care for cats.

Every procedure is carried out using modern dental equipment and follows current best practice. Throughout the procedure, your cat will be cared for by a dedicated veterinary nurse who closely monitors their anaesthetic, comfort and recovery.

As a cat-only practice, every aspect of your cat's care is designed specifically with feline patients in mind. From low-stress handling and tailored anaesthetic protocols to advanced pain management, our team is focused on making the experience as safe and comfortable as possible.

For more complex dental cases, we also work alongside a visiting veterinary dentist who is able to perform advanced procedures, including root canal therapy and other specialist treatments where appropriate. This allows us to offer a wider range of advanced dental options while keeping your cat's care close to home whenever possible.

What should I do if I can't afford the procedure?

We understand that veterinary treatment can be a significant financial commitment, and we never want cost concerns to prevent you from discussing your cat's dental health with us.

If your cat is insured we are happy to check if the dental treatment will be covered and we do not charge any extra fees to process direct or non direct claims. If you're worried about the cost, please let us know. Our team will be happy to talk through your cat's options and answer any questions about the recommended treatment. We can also advise whether treatment can be staged.

For some mild or early cases of gingivitis or periodontitis, or for cats that do not tolerate tooth brushing it may be that a descaling only ('scale and polish') is all that is required. This carries a significantly lower investment of £299. However for reasons explained above in our feline patients we would usually still recommend a COHAT is done to avoid missing any disease. We are happy to discuss on a case by case basis.

Unfortunately, if dental disease is present it does not improve on its own and is usually progressive. Delaying treatment will allow disease to worsen, likely resulting in more pain, inflammation, potential infection and the need for more extensive treatment later.

If you're unsure what to do, we encourage you to speak to us. We're here to help you make the best decision for both your cat's health and your circumstances.

Is my cat too old to have a dental procedure?

In the vast majority of cases, age alone is not a reason to avoid dental treatment. We regularly perform COHATs on senior and geriatric cats, and many go on to enjoy a much better quality of life once painful dental disease has been treated.

Before any anaesthetic, your cat will receive a thorough health assessment and pre-operative blood tests to help identify any underlying conditions and ensure we can plan the safest possible anaesthetic for them. Throughout the procedure, your cat is closely monitored by a dedicated veterinary nurse and receives intravenous fluid therapy, tailored anaesthetic protocols and comprehensive pain relief including local anesthesia blocks.

In fact, older cats are often the ones who benefit the most from dental treatment. Chronic dental pain can affect appetite, grooming, behaviour and overall wellbeing, and many owners are amazed by the positive changes they see once painful teeth have been treated.

Every cat is assessed individually. While some medical conditions may increase the risk of anaesthesia, they rarely prevent your cat from having a dental procedure. We will always discuss the risks and benefits with you and recommend the option that is in your cat's best interests.