Dental disease is one of the most prevalent welfare problems in dogs and cats, affecting the majority of adults over 3 years old. Prevention and regular treatment significantly improve quality of life.
Dental disease welfare in companion animals is characterized by the chronic nature of the pain and the owner's typically complete unawareness of it. A dog that has lived with progressively worsening periodontal disease for months or years has adapted its behavior to its chronic pain state - it may eat more carefully, be less playful, or be slightly more withdrawn, but these changes occur so gradually that owners rarely recognize them as pain indicators. The welfare revelation that commonly follows professional dental treatment under anesthesia is dramatic: owners frequently describe their pets as 'a different animal' - more playful, more active, eating with obvious pleasure. This contrast demonstrates how significant the chronic welfare impairment of dental disease is, and how treatable it is with appropriate veterinary intervention.