Dental disease is one of the most common and undertreated conditions in companion dogs, causing chronic pain that significantly reduces quality of life. Regular dental care is a critical welfare intervention.
Canine dental disease causes pain that is chronic, pervasive, and typically unrecognised. Dogs with severe periodontal disease live with persistent oral pain that affects eating, sleeping, play behaviour, and social interaction. Yet because dogs do not vocalise dental pain and maintain eating despite discomfort, owners often attribute behavioural changes to ageing rather than treatable pain. The welfare impact of dental disease extends beyond the mouth: oral bacteria entering the bloodstream are associated with heart, kidney, and liver disease. Prevention is far preferable to treatment: daily tooth brushing, dental-specific diets and chews, and regular veterinary dental checks can dramatically reduce disease burden. When disease is established, professional cleaning under anaesthesia and — where necessary — tooth extraction provides immediate and lasting welfare relief.