Companion Animals

Companion Animal Dental Disease Prevention

Dental disease is the most common health problem in adult pets and almost universally preventable. Prevention through home care begins in kittenhood or puppyhood.

Key Facts

Periodontal disease affects 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by age 3
Bacteria from dental infection enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting kidneys, liver, and heart
Daily toothbrushing is the gold standard, reducing plaque accumulation by 70-80%
Dental diets and enzymatic chews provide additional plaque reduction alongside brushing
Professional cleaning under anesthesia is required once disease is established - prevention is far preferable

Welfare Considerations

Dental disease prevention is one of the highest-return welfare investments in companion animal care. Daily toothbrushing costs nothing but time and dramatically reduces the prevalence of a condition causing chronic oral pain in the majority of adult pets. Starting early when animals are young and accepting prevents the lifelong dental disease burden that affects most pets with no home dental care.

What You Can Do

Introduce tooth brushing with species-specific toothpaste from kittenhood or puppyhood
Ask your vet to demonstrate brushing technique and assess your pet's dental health annually
Use vet-approved dental chews and diets as supplements to brushing
Schedule professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia when recommended to prevent disease progression