Dental disease is one of the most common and undertreated welfare problems in companion animals, with prevention and treatment significantly improving quality of life.
Dental welfare represents a silent epidemic in companion animal care. Animals with painful dental disease rarely show obvious signs until disease is advanced - they continue eating (often with modified behavior) because the alternative is starvation. This stoicism means dental pain goes unrecognized and untreated for months or years. Regular veterinary dental assessments and appropriate treatment including professional cleaning significantly improve welfare by addressing chronic pain that owners typically underestimate. Home dental care through tooth brushing, where achievable, prevents disease and reduces the need for costly intervention.