Dental disease affects over 80% of dogs and cats over three years of age, causing chronic pain that animals rarely show overtly. Improving awareness of dental welfare and preventive care is one of the highest-impact actions companion animal owners can take.
Dental disease is one of the most prevalent and chronically undertreated welfare problems in companion animals. The reason for this neglect is biological: prey animals evolved to hide signs of weakness including pain, and dental pain specifically rarely causes the dramatic behavioural changes owners expect. A dog with severe periodontal disease and exposed roots continues to eat, play, and greet its owner — because displaying pain would be evolutionarily costly. This means owners genuinely do not know their animals are suffering, and the disease progresses silently for years. Post-operative behaviour changes after dental surgery are often described by owners as their pet becoming playful and energetic again — they were not seeing the chronic pain suppression that had preceded it. Routine dental checks, preventive care, and prompt treatment when disease is identified are non-negotiable welfare commitments.