Dog Dental Disease and Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Periodontal disease affects over 80% of dogs over 3 years old and is a major source of chronic pain that is widely underrecognised by owners.

Key Facts

80% of dogs over 3 years have some degree of periodontal disease
Dental pain in dogs is rarely vocalised - they continue eating despite significant discomfort
Professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia is the gold standard treatment
Daily tooth brushing reduces plaque and tartar significantly
Dental disease bacteria can enter the bloodstream and damage the heart, kidneys and liver

Welfare Considerations

Dog dental disease is a silent epidemic of chronic pain. Dogs do not show obvious distress from dental pain - they eat through it because the alternative is starvation. This makes dental disease easy to overlook. Rotting teeth, infected gums, and oral abscesses cause constant pain that affects quality of life, ability to enjoy food, and systemic health. After dental treatment, owners consistently report dramatic improvements in their dog's activity and behaviour - revealing the extent of pre-existing pain they did not recognise. Annual dental checks and, ideally, daily tooth brushing are the most impactful preventive measures.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet for a dental examination at every check-up
Start tooth brushing training using dog-safe toothpaste from puppyhood
Use VOHC-approved dental chews as a supplement to brushing
Schedule professional dental cleaning when your vet recommends it
Never ignore dental disease as a minor issue - treat it as a chronic pain condition