A growing body of veterinary research is drawing a clear line between poor oral health in dogs and cats and chronic gastrointestinal problems, including persistent diarrhea, prompting experts to urge dental care as a critical, often overlooked component of gut health treatment in small animals.
The gut is a tube that starts in the mouth, travels through the body and ends at the anus, with both ends exposed to the environment. The entire tube is colonized by microbiota, the composition of which varies significantly, with the highest diversity and burdens located towards each end of the tube.
Specific bacteria residing in the oral cavity such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium species, and Streptococcus species have been shown to translocate to the gastrointestinal tract, establishing a potential connection between the oral and gut microbiota.
When oral disease is left untreated, this bacterial migration can disturb the gut's delicate microbial balance, contributing to digestive disorders including chronic diarrhea.
Dental disease is reported to affect 76% of dogs and 68% of cats. Research indicates that the oral microbiome in cats and dogs with documented periodontal disease shows a replacement of health-associated microbial taxa with more pathogenic strains.
Veterinarians report that dogs on a dental prebiotic designed to improve the oral microbiome not only have improved gingival health but also experience better bowel movements, raising the question of whether eradicating dysbiosis on the oral side of the gut tube can also eradicate dysbiosis at the other end.
Emerging research into the gut microbiome's role in systemic health suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria may exacerbate serious conditions, underscoring the importance of maintaining optimal oral and gut health in dogs to potentially prevent or mitigate far-reaching consequences of periodontal disease.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) affirms that untreated oral and dental diseases pose a significant animal welfare concern, creating significant pain as well as localized and potentially systemic infection. Dentistry is an area of veterinary medicine which is still widely ignored and is subject to many myths and misconceptions.
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by the time they are three years old. Periodontal disease can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, leading to more serious health problems including heart, lung, and kidney disease if left untreated.
The backbone of veterinary dental care is the Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT), a full dental evaluation and cleaning performed under general anesthesia, which allows veterinarians to thoroughly evaluate dental structures. The American Veterinary Dental College does not endorse anesthesia-free dental cleanings, as they do not allow adequate evaluation of dental structures or cleaning under the gums.
Researchers and clinicians are increasingly recognizing the oral microbiome in dogs and cats as a critical factor in both dental and systemic health. When microbial balance is disrupted, called dysbiosis, an animal can become more susceptible to periodontal disease, chronic inflammation, and systemic illness involving organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Pet owners are encouraged to work with their veterinarians on a comprehensive oral health plan, which includes professional dental cleanings, regular home brushing, and VOHC-approved dental products, especially for animals experiencing recurring gastrointestinal issues.
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