Dental disease is the most common health condition in companion dogs, affecting approximately 80% of dogs over three years old. Prevention is straightforward but requires consistent owner engagement.
Dental disease in dogs represents a hidden welfare crisis. Because dogs rarely cry out in pain from dental problems, owners often discover severe disease only at routine vet checks - by which point the animal may have been experiencing chronic pain for months or years. The prevention is simple: regular brushing, appropriate chews, and routine professional checks. Addressing this welfare issue requires better owner education and more proactive dental screening by veterinary professionals. The welfare returns from dental prevention programmes are enormous given how common and painful this condition is.