Dental disease is the most common health condition in companion dogs and cats, with 80% affected by age three, causing chronic pain that is often unrecognized by owners and preventable through routine care.
Dental disease represents a major hidden welfare problem in companion animal populations. Because dogs and cats continue eating despite significant oral pain, owners often do not recognize the suffering their animals experience. The welfare improvement following dental treatment is often dramatic, with animals showing increased activity, improved appetite, and changed behavior suggesting relief from chronic pain. Prevention through daily toothbrushing from puppyhood is highly effective but requires early habituation and consistent owner commitment.