The Small Health Clue I Almost Missed (And What It Changed for My Cat)

The Small Health Clue I Almost Missed (And What It Changed for My Cat)

For a while, one of my cats, Edward, just didn’t seem quite like himself.

Nothing dramatic.
Nothing that would immediately send you rushing to the vet.

He was still eating. Still affectionate. Still very much Edward — just a little quieter. A little thinner. A little less vibrant than usual.

And if I’m being honest, it would have been easy to brush it off.

Cats are experts at adaptation. They don’t complain. They don’t slow down all at once. Changes tend to happen gradually — so gradually that we sometimes don’t notice them until we’re already past the moment where they began.

When “Everything Seems Fine” Isn’t the Whole Story

Edward wasn’t acting sick in the way most of us think of illness.
He wasn’t hiding. He wasn’t lethargic. He wasn’t refusing food.

But something felt… off.

It was subtle. The kind of feeling you only get when you really know your pet — when you’ve lived with them long enough to recognize when their spark dims just slightly.

A closer look revealed something unexpected: the issue wasn’t his appetite, his digestion, or his energy level. It was his teeth.

A few painful teeth needed to be removed. That was it.

And once those teeth were gone, everything changed.

Edward became more comfortable.
His appetite improved.
He began gaining weight again.
His energy returned.
His coat filled out.
And yes — his confident, bow-tie-wearing personality came fully back.

Why Dental Health Is So Often Overlooked

Dental health is one of the most commonly missed aspects of pet care — not because pet parents don’t care, but because the signs aren’t always obvious.

Many pets:

• Continue eating even when their mouths are painful

• Adjust their behavior quietly

• Compensate in ways we don’t immediately recognize

Bad breath. Eating a little slower. Being less enthusiastic. Losing a bit of weight. Becoming quieter.

Individually, these signs don’t always raise alarms. Together, they can tell a story.

The Mouth Is Not Separate From the Body

One of the things many people don’t realize is that oral health doesn’t just affect the mouth.

Chronic dental inflammation can place ongoing stress on the body — and over time, that stress may affect overall wellness, including organs like the heart and kidneys.

That doesn’t mean every dental issue leads to serious disease.
And it’s not meant to be frightening.

It’s simply a reminder that comfort, inflammation, and health are deeply connected — and addressing dental problems early is one way we support the whole pet, not just their teeth.

In Edward’s case, resolving the dental discomfort allowed his body to focus on healing and thriving again.

Loving Them Well Is About Paying Attention

At Chloe Cole, we believe loving your pet well isn’t about doing everything perfectly or constantly worrying about what could go wrong.

It’s about:

• Paying attention to subtle changes

• Trusting your instincts

• Being open to looking a little deeper when something feels off

• Supporting comfort and quality of life at every stage

Dental health is just one part of that picture — but it’s an important one.

A Gentle Reminder for Pet Dental Health Month

February is Pet Dental Health Month, and it’s a meaningful time to pause and check in.

Not with fear.
Not with guilt.
Just with intention.

Take a moment to notice your pet’s breath.
Look at their teeth if they’ll allow it.
Pay attention to small changes in appetite, weight, or energy.
And if something doesn’t feel right, have the conversation.

Sometimes, the smallest interventions lead to the biggest improvements.

Edward taught me that.

* Edward is wearing one of our signature bow ties — because feeling good and looking good often go hand in hand.