Dental disease affects the majority of dogs and cats over three years old and is one of the most common causes of preventable pain in companion animals.
Dental pain in companion animals is largely hidden: as prey species with a survival instinct to conceal weakness, cats and dogs rarely vocalise dental pain. Yet the welfare impact is significant — affected animals may eat less, show reduced play behaviour, and suffer from systemic infections affecting the heart, kidneys, and liver. Veterinary dental care is underutilised, and many animals live with years of treatable pain.