Dental disease is the most common health problem in dogs and cats, causing chronic pain that often goes undetected.
Chronic dental pain is a welfare crisis hiding in plain sight for companion animals. Unlike humans, dogs and cats rarely stop eating despite severe oral pain — they have strong survival drives that mask suffering. Many animals diagnosed with advanced dental disease under anesthesia show marked behavioral improvements post-treatment, suggesting prolonged unrecognized suffering. Proactive dental care — both preventive home care and professional cleaning — is one of the most impactful welfare interventions available to pet owners.