Companion Animals

Companion Animal Geriatric Dental Disease

Dental disease in geriatric companion animals causes chronic pain that is often mistaken for normal aging and goes untreated.

Key Facts

Over 85% of dogs and cats over 7 years have significant periodontal disease
Tooth root abscesses cause severe pain that animals rarely communicate directly
Dental extractions in geriatric animals often produce dramatic behavioral improvements
General anesthesia for dental procedures in older animals carries managed but real risks

Welfare Considerations

Geriatric dental disease causes chronic pain that reduces quality of life for years before diagnosis. Owners often attribute lethargy and reduced activity to old age rather than recognizing dental pain. Extractions of severely affected teeth, even in older animals, frequently restore vitality and apparent wellbeing.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual dental examinations for all pets over 7 years
Discuss anesthetic risk management options with your vet rather than avoiding dental care
Do not accept reduced activity and appetite as normal aging without ruling out dental pain
Monitor for face pawing, food dropping, and altered chewing as dental pain indicators