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Article Silent Dental Pain Affects Majority Of Aussie Pets

August 20, 2025

9 Comments

Experts are reminding owners that when pets seem tired, off their food or less social, it isn’t always just age catching up with them. In many cases, these shifts can be early signs of dental disease.

Why is dental disease serious?

According to Dr Nefedova of Petstock Vet, periodontal disease affects as many as 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by the time they reach three years of age. But while it is easy for vets to diagnose, there is huge potential for it to become serious when left untreated.

Dog with dental disease having its teeth checked.
Dental problems are very common in young dogs and cats. Image: Canva

Recognising the signs

Dr Nefedova explains that dental pain is easily overlooked because it isn’t always accompanied by obvious signs of discomfort.

“Like us, they might eat less, seem flat or become less social. If your pet is drooling, chewing on one side, or not acting like themselves, a full health check – including a dental exam – is essential. Treating dental disease reduces pain, inflammation and bad breath, and can significantly improve quality of life.”

Dr Nefedova, Petstock Vet
Sad dog not eating its food.
Pup off his food? Dental problems could be to blame. Image: Canva

The risks of untreated dental disease

If left untreated, dental disease can lead to any of the following:

  • Chronic pain
  • Tooth loss and jaw fractures
  • Infections that can spread to the heart, liver and kidneys
  • Reduced quality of life and shortened lifespan

Which pets are most at risk

All pets can develop dental issues, but small dogs and brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Pugs and Shih Tzus are particularly vulnerable. Their unique anatomy often leads to overcrowded, misaligned or unerupted teeth, which can cause problems early on.

Cats, too, are notorious for hiding discomfort. Dr Nefedova explains that they may stop grooming, chew on one side or even appear withdrawn. These subtle signs are easy to miss, which is why routine dental check-ups are critical.

Cat having its teeth checked by a vet.
Cats also need regular dental checks. Image: Canva

Five signs your pet could have dental pain

  • Bad breath
  • Reluctance to eat or chew
  • Drooling or pawing at the mouth
  • Red, bleeding or swollen gums
  • Personality changes, such as irritability or low energy

Prevention is the best approach

Dr Nefedova says prevention is key.

“We recommend starting dental care young, ideally by six to 12 months of age. Gradually desensitise your pet to having their mouth handled, introduce brushing gently, and make it part of their routine. Dental-friendly foods and toys can also go a long way.”

Dr Nefedova, Petstock Vet

As part of Dental Month this August, Petstock is offering $50 off dental procedures at all Petstock Vet clinics nationwide after your first free dental check.

Do you routinely have your pet’s dental health checked by a professional? Leave us a comment below.

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Comments

  • We have 2 cats which are about 2 years old. We’ve had them since kittens. It’s our first family pet. We haven’t considered brushing their teeth being cats. This article is very informative. We will definitely consider brushing their teeth now and getting them checked by a professional.

  • I brush my dogs teeth daily plus I use a teeth gel and spray. My maltese shihtsu can chew bones due to not having a good diet as a pup or whilst in the womb her teeth are soft. She’s already had 2 teeth removed. It’s so hard to tell when a dog is suffering as they’re so good at hiding it

  • This makes me so sad to read! it is hard when our pets cannot communicate to us directly! My dogs would not allow me to brush their teeth, so we opt for chews and a vet clean when necessary. Having newifes though the cost of putting them under for the clean is absolutely insane! So we try and mitigate this by ensuring they have a great diet and heaps of water. Staying on top of it all helps.

  • it’s very important to have a good diet for your pets. Bones are very good for dog’s dental health. If you are noticing frequent bad breath, then you should be brushing the teeth, although most dogs don’t really appreciate it!

  • I must admit I don’t watch closely enough to see if she is chewing on one side or not. She has no reluctance to chew as she will spend hours & hours on a big bone. We do rely on the vet to check her annually and she doesn’t seem to have any issues thankfully.

  • My little BellBell has regular anal gland drainage so we keep on top of things like dental. I brush her teeth most days, use a gel and a spray, she’s not doing too badly for a nearly 13yo

  • Its so important to stay on top of your pets teeth. Just as mentioned here, cats are notorious for hiding pain. We get our cats teeth cleaned every two years, which means her going under for it. She refuses to chew bones so gets build up fairly quickly. Her teeth look fabulous after, has much nicer breath, and has never needed an extraction.

  • This is such a great article. We thought our dog was just getting older and slowing down but after taking him to the vet for a check up he ended up having 4 teeth removed. He’s a completely different dog again. I feel terrible because he must have been in pain but I had no idea 🙁

  • This article was so informative. Never would i assume first thing that it could be dental related. I’d think they were unwell for other reasons. It’s definitely great advice that a full check to cancel out anything serious is the best option for our fur babies.

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