Dental disease affects over 80% of dogs by age three, causing chronic pain that is largely hidden. Regular dental care is one of the most impactful welfare interventions available to dog owners.
Canine dental disease is perhaps the most widespread yet underrecognized welfare crisis in companion animals. The majority of dogs over three years old are experiencing chronic mouth pain from periodontal disease — pain they are unable to communicate and that owners rarely detect because dogs continue eating and behaving relatively normally. This hidden suffering persists for months to years in untreated dogs. Regular professional cleaning under anesthesia, combined with daily home brushing, prevents or manages this chronic pain effectively. The welfare case for dental care is straightforward: it directly removes chronic pain from the lives of millions of companion dogs. The barrier is primarily owner awareness and the cost and perceived complexity of dental procedures — education and accessible dental care are the key welfare interventions.