Companion Animal Dental Health and Welfare

Dental disease is one of the most common and undertreated welfare problems in companion animals, causing chronic pain that many owners do not recognise because pets continue eating despite significant oral discomfort.

Key Facts

An estimated 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease by age 3
Animals with dental disease often continue eating despite chronic pain, masking the welfare problem from owners
Periodontal disease is associated with kidney, heart, and liver disease through bacterial spread from the mouth
Professional dental cleaning under general anaesthesia is the standard treatment but is often delayed due to cost
Daily tooth brushing significantly reduces dental disease incidence but is practiced by a minority of owners

Welfare Considerations

Companion animal dental welfare illustrates how chronic pain can be invisible. An animal with painful dental disease continues to function — it cannot tell its owner it is in pain, and eating (even if more slowly or on one side) does not stop. Owners frequently assume that if an animal is eating, it is not in pain. This assumption is wrong, and the welfare consequences of delayed dental treatment are significant: years of avoidable chronic pain. Early intervention — dental checks at every annual exam, professional cleaning when indicated, and owner tooth brushing — is far less costly in both financial and welfare terms than treating advanced disease.

What You Can Do

Have your pets teeth checked at every annual veterinary visit
Begin tooth brushing for new puppies and kittens early to establish tolerance
Do not delay dental treatment when your vet recommends it
Ask about dental wellness plans that spread the cost of regular professional dental care
Provide dental chews and toys that reduce tartar buildup between brushings