Companion Animal Welfare

Companion Animal Dental Trauma and Fractures

Tooth fractures and dental trauma in companion animals cause significant chronic pain that is frequently unrecognised and undertreated, requiring proactive dental care.

Key Facts

Carnassial tooth fractures affect over 25% of dogs who chew hard objects
Fractured teeth with pulp exposure cause severe acute pain transitioning to chronic infection
Veterinary dental radiography is essential for identifying root and pulp pathology
Tooth extraction or root canal treatment are appropriate management options
Hard chew objects including real bones, antlers, and hard nylon toys cause tooth fractures

Welfare Considerations

Dental fractures cause acute pain that becomes chronic root infection if untreated. Many animals adapt their feeding behaviour to manage pain, masking chronic suffering that owners mistake for food preference. Active dental care and avoidance of hard chew objects prevents this common welfare problem.

What You Can Do

Avoid giving dogs hard chew objects that cannot be dented with a thumbnail
Have fractured teeth assessed by a veterinary dentist for appropriate treatment
Schedule annual dental radiography for dogs and cats to identify hidden dental pathology