Dental disease is the most common clinical condition in companion animals, affecting the majority of dogs and cats over age three. Its welfare impact is enormous yet largely invisible to owners.
Companion animal dental disease represents one of the largest and most invisible welfare burdens in domestic animal populations. The overwhelming majority of dogs and cats over age three are experiencing oral pain to varying degrees, yet this pain goes largely undetected because animals continue eating despite significant oral discomfort. The chronic nature of dental disease — developing gradually over years — means the welfare decline is insidious. Owners who implement preventive care from early life and maintain regular veterinary dental assessment dramatically reduce the dental welfare burden for their animals over their lifetimes.