How dental disease affects older dogs, the welfare burden of untreated oral pain, and evidence-based approaches to dental care throughout a senior dog's life.
Dental disease is one of the most common and most underaddressed welfare problems in companion dogs, particularly in older animals. Dogs do not show pain in the way humans expect — they continue eating and behaving normally despite severe periodontal inflammation, abscesses, and tooth resorption. This stoicism means owners and even veterinarians may fail to appreciate the extent of oral suffering their dog endures. Senior dogs frequently experience dramatic improvements in energy, appetite, and playfulness following dental treatment, revealing the previously unrecognized chronic pain burden they had been carrying. Comprehensive dental care requires annual veterinary oral examinations, professional cleaning under anaesthesia when needed, and daily home care including tooth brushing. Fear of anaesthesia should not prevent necessary dental treatment in otherwise healthy senior dogs — the risks of untreated dental disease, including systemic organ damage, significantly outweigh anaesthetic risks in most cases.