Companion Animal Dental Welfare: The Hidden Epidemic of Oral Disease

Dental disease affects the majority of cats and dogs over age three. It causes chronic pain that is often unrecognised and untreated, representing a major welfare gap.

Key Facts

An estimated 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease by age three.
Periodontal disease causes chronic pain, difficulty eating and systemic health impacts.
Animals with dental pain often continue to eat despite suffering, masking the problem.
Dental disease is linked to heart, kidney and liver disease through bacterial translocation.
Daily tooth brushing reduces plaque accumulation significantly when started from puppyhood or kittenhood.
Professional dental scaling under general anaesthesia is the gold standard for treating established disease.

Welfare Considerations

Companion animal dental disease represents one of the most prevalent and underaddressed welfare problems in veterinary practice. The stoic nature of cats and dogs means dental pain is frequently unrecognised by owners and sometimes insufficiently prioritised in veterinary consultations. Animals living with chronic dental pain experience a sustained reduction in quality of life that may persist for years. Regular dental examinations, owner education on recognition of dental pain signs, and access to affordable professional dental treatment are all required to address this widespread welfare deficit. Preventive measures including daily brushing and dental diets reduce disease burden when consistently applied.

What You Can Do

Schedule annual dental examinations for your dog or cat as part of routine preventive care.
Learn to recognise dental pain signs including drooling, pawing at mouth and changed eating behaviour.
Start dental home care including brushing or dental wipes from a young age.
Ask your vet about dental health assessment at every consultation.
Budget for professional dental scaling as a regular cost of responsible companion animal ownership.