Can Dogs Get Cavities?

Yes — dogs can get cavities, but they are significantly less common in dogs than in humans. A 1998 study published in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry reviewed the dental records of 435 dogs and found that just 5.3% had cavities. By comparison, the CDC estimates that 90% of American adults have had at least one cavity in their lifetime. While that difference is striking, it does not mean canine dental health is something to overlook — most dogs will develop some form of dental disease in their lifetime, and cavities are one part of a broader oral health picture that deserves attention.

Understanding why dogs are less susceptible to cavities than humans, when they do develop them, and — critically — what really threatens canine dental health more commonly is what this article covers.

Why Cavities Are Less Common in Dogs Than Humans

The lower cavity rate in dogs comes down to two biological factors that PetMD specifically identifies:

Tooth Shape

Human teeth are relatively flat and broad — particularly the molars used for grinding. Flat tooth surfaces create crevices and contact points where food and bacteria accumulate easily, and where acid can pool and erode enamel. Dog teeth, by contrast, are primarily conical in shape — pointed and self-cleaning by design. Conical teeth shed food debris more readily and create fewer surfaces where bacteria can establish long-term colonies. Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery, a veterinary dental specialist practice, confirms that the less common nature of cavities in dogs versus humans is attributed to the conical nature of their teeth.

Oral pH and Diet

Human saliva typically has a lower pH than dog saliva — more acidic. Acid is what erodes tooth enamel and enables cavities to form. Dog saliva is more alkaline, creating a less favourable environment for the acid-producing bacteria responsible for dental caries. PetMD confirms that dogs likely develop cavities less commonly because their diet does not naturally include a lot of sugars and acids.

Fermentable Sugar Intake

Fermentable carbohydrates — sugars that oral bacteria can break down to produce acid — are the primary dietary driver of cavity formation. Dogs eating a natural, species-appropriate diet without added sugars, processed human food, or sweet treats are at significantly lower risk than those whose diet frequently includes table scraps, sugary treats, or high-carbohydrate foods.

When Cavities Do Occur in Dogs — The Risk Factors

Despite lower baseline risk, certain factors significantly increase a dog’s likelihood of developing dental caries. PetMD identifies the primary risk factors:

Diet high in fermentable carbohydrates — dogs eating poor-quality food, table scraps, or receiving sugary treats regularly are at measurably higher risk. This is directly parallel to the human cavity mechanism: more sugar in the diet means more fuel for acid-producing oral bacteria.

Lack of routine dental care — PetMD and Vetster both confirm that dogs who receive routine dental care are significantly less likely to develop dental caries. Regular brushing and veterinary dental cleaning remove plaque before it can progress to tartar and before bacterial acid has time to damage enamel.

Genetics — PetMD notes that genetics likely contribute to a dog’s likelihood of developing cavities or other dental issues. Some breeds have anatomical features — crowded teeth, misaligned bites, or shallower enamel — that increase susceptibility.

Breed size — The Veterinary Nurse’s clinical article on canine dental caries, drawing on Hernandez et al. (2019), confirms that cavities can occur in any breed of dog, but medium to large breeds are more commonly affected.

Which teeth are most affected — The Veterinary Nurse identifies that lesions can occur on any tooth, but occlusal (grinding) surfaces are predisposed — particularly the first maxillary molar teeth, because of the close interproximal contact. These are the surfaces that most closely resemble flat human tooth morphology, which may explain their higher susceptibility compared to conical canine teeth.

Cavities vs Periodontal Disease — The More Common Threat

This distinction matters enormously for understanding canine dental health. While cavities get a lot of attention because of human familiarity with the concept, periodontal disease is by far the more common and serious dental health problem in dogs.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine confirms that dental disease is one of the most common health conditions affecting dogs — with periodontal disease (gum disease caused by plaque and tartar accumulation) affecting the vast majority of dogs over three years of age.

Periodontal disease involves inflammation and infection of the gum tissue, the supporting bone, and the ligaments holding teeth in place. Unlike cavities, which begin on the tooth surface, periodontal disease begins at and below the gumline — where brushing is less effective and professional cleaning becomes essential.

The clinical significance: Vetster confirms that diseased teeth are more likely to be caused by severe periodontal disease than cavities or tooth decay. If your dog has bad breath, red or swollen gums, visible tartar, or difficulty eating — the most likely cause is periodontal disease, not cavities. Both warrant veterinary attention, but understanding the distinction helps set the right expectations.

How to Recognise a Cavity in Your Dog

Cavities in dogs are notoriously difficult to detect in their early stages. The Veterinary Nurse’s clinical article explains why: bacteria infiltrate into the dentine, creating the perfect climate for dentine destruction from within the tooth before any involvement of the enamel is seen externally. This internal progression means that by the time a cavity is visible to an owner, it is typically already at an advanced stage.

Early detection almost always happens during veterinary dental examination under general anaesthesia, where thorough assessment of all tooth surfaces is possible. This is another strong argument for regular professional dental checks.

Signs that may indicate a cavity or other dental problem:

• Tooth discolouration — brown, black, or grey spots on tooth surfaces
• Softened or pitted areas on the tooth surface
• Visible holes or craters in a tooth
• Bad breath (halitosis) — though this is more commonly associated with periodontal disease
• Reluctance to eat or chewing on one side only
• Pawing at the mouth
• Dropping food while eating
• Visible pain or sensitivity when touching the mouth area

If you notice any of these signs, book a veterinary dental examination. Do not wait — dental disease progresses and becomes more expensive and complex to treat the longer it is left.

The Systemic Consequence — Why Dental Health Matters Beyond the Mouth

This is the aspect of canine dental health that most owners don’t fully appreciate until a vet explains it. Dental disease does not stay in the mouth.

When bacteria accumulate in the oral cavity — whether in cavities or in periodontal pockets — they can enter the bloodstream through damaged gum tissue. From there, they can travel to and affect distant organs. Vetster confirms that bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and impact major organs including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has documented the association between severe periodontal disease and systemic health conditions in dogs.

This systemic risk is the primary reason veterinary dentists — and vets generally — are insistent about preventive dental care. A dog’s mouth is not an isolated system. What happens there affects overall health, quality of life, and longevity.

Treatment for Canine Cavities

When a cavity is diagnosed, the treatment depends on severity. Vetster outlines the options:

Small, early-stage cavities — may be treated by cleaning out the lesion and restoring the tooth’s crown with a filling, similar to human cavity treatment. This option is only viable when the cavity is caught early — another argument for regular professional examination.

Advanced cavities affecting the pulp — when the cavity has progressed deep enough to affect the tooth’s nerve (pulp), root canal treatment may be necessary to save the tooth.

Extraction — in cases where the damage is too extensive to restore, extraction is the most common outcome. Vetster notes that because cavities are so rare in dogs, those with cavities may be referred to a board-certified veterinary dentist for specialist treatment.

All treatment takes place under general anaesthesia, which Vetster confirms is considered very safe for the majority of dogs when appropriate pre-anaesthetic screening is completed.

Preventing Cavities in Your Dog

Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery confirms that in most cases, with routine dental care from you and your veterinarian, caries can be prevented. Prevention is straightforward in principle — consistent in practice.

Daily Tooth Brushing

The most effective single intervention for canine dental health. Daily brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste removes plaque before it can harden into tartar and before bacterial acid has time to damage enamel. Vetster confirms that daily brushing and routine dental cleanings remove plaque and prevent tartar buildup that causes dental disease.

Dog-specific toothpaste is essential — human toothpaste contains fluoride and xylitol, both of which are toxic to dogs. Use only toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs.

Introducing tooth brushing gradually, ideally from puppyhood, makes the process much easier. Dogs who have never had their teeth brushed can be introduced to it at any age with patience — start with your finger rubbing the gums, then introduce a finger brush, then a proper toothbrush.

Diet Management

Avoiding sugary treats, table scraps, and high-sugar human foods directly reduces cavity risk. Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery is explicit: avoiding sugary and carbohydrate-based treats and supplements in dogs can help reduce the chance of cavity occurrence. This is directly relevant to the content on this site — natural meat-based treats are significantly lower in fermentable sugars than commercial biscuits, sweet treats, or fruit-based snacks given frequently.

Dental Chews and Natural Chews

VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) approved dental chews provide proven plaque and tartar reduction. Natural chews — bully sticks, beef gullet, dried fish skins, and raw meaty bones under appropriate supervision — provide mechanical abrasion that reduces plaque buildup. See our Chews & Bones section for our independently reviewed recommendations.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Vetster recommends most dogs benefit from a professional dental cleaning every one to two years, depending on age, breed, and dental health. Professional cleaning under anaesthesia allows thorough scaling below the gumline — removing tartar buildup that no amount of home brushing can address — and full examination of all tooth surfaces including the underside of the gumline.

Regular Veterinary Dental Examinations

Annual dental examinations allow your vet to assess for developing cavities, periodontal disease, and other oral health concerns before they progress to the point of requiring complex treatment. The Veterinary Nurse’s clinical article confirms that caries are difficult to diagnose in their early stages, often going undetected until patients are brought in for dental treatment under general anaesthesia — making proactive annual checks essential.

Natural Treats and Cavity Risk

Given that we focus on natural dog treats, it’s worth being specific about how treat choices affect dental health.

Lower cavity risk treats:

• Air-dried and freeze-dried meat treats — minimal fermentable sugar content
• Beef and lamb-based treats — protein and fat, no sugar
• Dried fish skins — excellent natural chew, very low sugar
• Natural chews (bully sticks, gullet, trachea) — mechanical cleaning benefit, minimal sugar

Higher cavity risk treats (use in moderation):

• Fruit-based treats — natural sugars, though fresh fruit also contains water and fibre that moderate the effect
• Commercial sweet treats and biscuits — often contain significant added sugar
• Human food table scraps — highly variable, often contain sugar and salt

This doesn’t mean your dog can never have fruit or an occasional biscuit. It means that a diet primarily based on natural, meat-based treats is significantly better for dental health than one based on sweet or processed snacks — and daily tooth brushing matters regardless of what treats you give.

The Bottom Line

Yes, dogs can get cavities — but at a much lower rate than humans, thanks to their tooth shape, more alkaline oral pH, and typically lower-sugar diet. The 5.3% prevalence documented in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry puts it in perspective. A far greater concern for most dogs is periodontal disease — affecting the majority of dogs over three years old — which is why regular brushing, appropriate dental chews, and annual professional dental examinations matter so much.

If you notice tooth discolouration, bad breath, difficulty eating, or any sign of oral discomfort in your dog, book a veterinary examination. Dental disease is progressive and treatable — the earlier it is caught, the better the outcome and the lower the treatment cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs get cavities like humans? Yes — but significantly less commonly. A Journal of Veterinary Dentistry study found only 5.3% of dogs had cavities, compared to 90% of adult humans. The difference comes down to tooth shape, oral pH, and typically lower-sugar diets in dogs.

What causes cavities in dogs? The same mechanism as in humans: bacteria produce acid from fermentable sugars in the diet, which erodes tooth enamel over time. Dogs fed high-sugar diets or table scraps, and those without regular dental care, are at higher risk.

Are cavities more common than gum disease in dogs? No — periodontal disease (gum disease) is far more common than cavities in dogs. Most dogs develop some degree of periodontal disease by age three. Cavities affect only around 5% of the dog population.

How are dog cavities treated? Small cavities can be filled similarly to human cavity treatment. Advanced cavities may require root canal or extraction. All treatment is performed under general anaesthesia, often by a board-certified veterinary dentist.

How can I prevent cavities in my dog? Daily tooth brushing with dog-specific toothpaste, avoiding sugary treats and table scraps, providing appropriate dental chews, and scheduling annual professional dental examinations are the key preventive measures.

Which dog breeds are most at risk for cavities? Medium to large breeds are more commonly affected according to veterinary dental research. Breeds with misaligned bites or crowded teeth may also have higher susceptibility.

Sources:

• PetMD — dogs develop cavities less commonly because their diet does not include many sugars and acids; dogs have cone-shaped teeth and more space between teeth than humans; diet with fermentable carbohydrates and table scraps increases risk; genetics contribute to susceptibility (petmd.com): https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/mouth/cavities-dogs
• The Veterinary Nurse — clinical article on causes and prevention of dental caries in dogs; caries can occur in any breed but medium to large breeds more affected (Hernandez et al., 2019); first maxillary molar teeth predisposed due to close interproximal contact; bacteria infiltrate dentine before enamel involvement making early detection difficult (theveterinarynurse.com): https://www.theveterinarynurse.com/content/clinical/causes-and-prevention-of-caries-cavities-in-dogs
• Animal Dental Care and Oral Surgery — less common nature of cavities in dogs attributed to conical tooth shape and lack of fermentable sugar in diet; avoiding sugary and carbohydrate-based treats reduces risk; caries can be prevented with routine dental care (wellpets.com): https://www.wellpets.com/blog/52-dental-caries-cavities-in-dogs/
• Vetster — cavities are rare in dogs; small cavities can be treated by cleaning out the lesion and restoring the tooth’s crown; diseased teeth more likely caused by severe periodontal disease than cavities; daily brushing and routine dental cleanings remove plaque and prevent tartar buildup; bacteria from mouth can enter the bloodstream and impact heart, liver, and kidneys (vetster.com): https://vetster.com/en/wellness/can-dogs-get-dental-cavities
• Journal of Veterinary Dentistry (1998) — review of dental records of 435 dogs found that 5.3% (23 dogs) had cavities

For natural treat options that support rather than undermine dental health, browse our Chews & Bones section for our top natural chew recommendations — or head to our Can Dogs Eat series for more guides on safe and unsafe foods for dogs.