Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Oral Health and Dental Welfare

Periodontal disease affects the majority of dogs by middle age and causes chronic pain that significantly reduces quality of life.

Key Facts

Over 80% of dogs over 3 years have some form of periodontal disease
Pain from dental disease is often invisible in dogs who continue eating despite discomfort
Daily tooth brushing reduces dental disease significantly
Professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia is necessary once disease develops
Breed and tooth alignment affect predisposition to dental disease

Welfare Considerations

Periodontal disease causes chronic inflammation, infection, and pain in the mouth that significantly reduces quality of life without obvious signs. Dogs with untreated dental disease are living with continuous discomfort. Preventive dental care through home brushing and regular professional assessment is the most welfare-effective approach to this extremely common problem.

What You Can Do

Begin tooth brushing in puppyhood to establish a lifelong habit
Schedule annual dental assessments at veterinary check-ups
Consider dental chews and diets as supplementary oral hygiene tools