Companion Animals

Companion Animal Dental Home Care

Daily dental home care prevents painful dental disease in dogs and cats, yet most owners do not practice it consistently.

Key Facts

Periodontal disease affects 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by age 3
Daily toothbrushing reduces plaque by 70% and is the gold standard
Dental chews, water additives, and special diets offer moderate benefit
Untreated dental disease causes chronic pain, tooth loss, and systemic infection
Most pets require professional dental scaling every 1-3 years

Welfare Considerations

Dental pain is pervasive and often silent - pets rarely show obvious signs until disease is severe. Animals with periodontal disease may avoid hard food, show behavioral changes, or develop systemic illness. Regular home care combined with veterinary check-ups prevents suffering that would otherwise be lifelong.

What You Can Do

Start toothbrushing with pet-safe toothpaste from puppyhood or kittenhood
Use VOHC-approved dental products as alternatives if brushing isn't possible
Schedule annual veterinary dental assessments
Seek dental care promptly if you notice bad breath or reluctance to eat