Pet Dental Health Month - February 2025

History of Pet Dental Health Month

Pet health dates back thousands of years. In 9000 BC, the first veterinary practice of any kind appeared in the Middle East. It was used for sheepherders who treated the dogs who watched over their sheep. In Ancient Egypt, animal treatment became more common. Cats, fowl, and dogs were regular choices for pets and considered by many families to be members of the household.

In 1900 BC some sacred Hindu texts captured the first written account of the practice of veterinary medicine. In 1850, archaeologists found fragments of an ancient vet’s medical books covering diseases found in birds, cattle, fish, and dogs.

The last 100 years have seen a steady increase in the number of pets receiving regular medical care. There are now thousands of animal hospitals dedicated to the care of small house pets. It was also around this time that the first policy for pet insurance for a cat was written by a Swedish insurance company called Länsförsäkrings Alliance.

As our concern for pet’s health has increased, so has our awareness of the importance of their dental health. Pet dentists came up with Pet Dental Health Month to draw attention to some serious health issues pets may go through due to ill oral health. Most owners notice an oral issue when it’s too late, with the pet already in discomfort to the point where they have stopped eating. Studies have revealed an obvious correlation between the health of our pets and oral disease. Animals with clean teeth live longer lives.