Companion Animals

Companion Dog Preventive Dental Home Care

Daily tooth brushing is the gold standard preventive dental care for dogs, protecting against periodontal disease and associated pain.

Key Facts

Periodontal disease affects over 80% of dogs over three years old causing chronic pain
Daily tooth brushing reduces plaque accumulation and inflammatory periodontal disease progression
Only veterinary-recommended enzymatic toothpastes should be used - human toothpaste is toxic
Dental chews and water additives provide supplementary benefit but do not replace brushing

Welfare Considerations

Dogs with periodontal disease experience chronic pain affecting appetite, behaviour, and quality of life. Most dogs accept tooth brushing when introduced gradually and positively. Daily brushing from puppyhood prevents the majority of dental disease and associated suffering.

What You Can Do

Brush your dog's teeth daily using dog-specific enzymatic toothpaste
Introduce tooth brushing gradually using positive reinforcement from puppyhood
Schedule annual veterinary dental assessments with radiography for all adult dogs