Dental disease affects the vast majority of adult pets and is a leading cause of chronic pain. Regular professional dental care and home maintenance dramatically improve welfare.
Dental disease is one of the most significant yet underrecognized welfare problems in companion animals. The gradual onset means pain becomes normalized as pets adapt their eating behavior and owners adjust to new normal. Animals with severe dental disease are often in chronic significant pain that is eliminated with appropriate treatment, with owners frequently reporting dramatic behavioral improvements after dental treatment. The dismissal of dental care as cosmetic misrepresents its welfare significance. Regular professional dental examinations and cleaning under anesthesia, combined with home care, prevent the accumulation of dental disease that causes chronic suffering.