Companion Animal Dental Disease Prevention

Dental disease is the most common health problem in companion animals, affecting the majority of dogs and cats over three years of age. Left untreated, it causes chronic pain, systemic disease, and significantly reduces quality of life.

Key Facts

Periodontal disease affects over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of three years
Dental disease progresses from gingivitis (reversible) through periodontitis (irreversible bone loss) to tooth loss and abscess
Bacteria from oral infection can enter the bloodstream and cause kidney, liver, and cardiac disease
Many animals with severe dental disease show no obvious signs, as they continue to eat despite chronic pain
Daily tooth brushing with pet-safe toothpaste is the gold standard for home dental care
Dental chews, water additives, and dental diets provide some benefit but cannot replace mechanical brushing
Professional dental scaling under anaesthesia is required once significant calculus accumulation occurs
Pre-anaesthetic dental assessment of older animals addresses concerns about anaesthetic risk in dental procedures

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease causes continuous, unrecognised pain in the majority of adult companion animals. The silent nature of this pain - animals hide discomfort and continue eating - means many owners are unaware of their pet's suffering until disease is advanced. Regular veterinary dental assessment and owner engagement with home dental care is transformative for individual animal welfare. The high prevalence of dental disease in companion animals represents a welfare failure of epidemic proportions that is largely preventable.

What You Can Do

Start tooth brushing routines as early as possible in your puppy or kitten's life
Book annual veterinary dental assessments for all dogs and cats over three years of age
Act on veterinary dental recommendations rather than delaying - dental disease is painful
Ask your vet which dental products (chews, diets, water additives) have veterinary approval for your pet