Mars, Incorporated, the global company behind pet brands like GREENIES and IAMS, has launched a new AI-powered tool aimed at helping pet owners detect dental issues in dogs using a simple smartphone photo. It’s part of a larger $1 billion push to bring more digital technology into the world of pet health.
What the Tool Does — and Why It Matters
The tool, called GREENIES Canine Dental Check, is now available in the U.S. It lets users take a photo of their dog’s mouth and uses artificial intelligence to scan for signs of tartar buildup or gum disease. Results are given instantly, along with next-step recommendations. Users can also speak to a licensed veterinary technician through Mars’ PETconnect service if they want more support.
The timing may be right: studies show that 80% of dogs develop gum disease during their lifetime. But many pet owners don’t know what to look for or how serious dental issues can become. Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to infections, tooth loss, and even impact the heart and kidneys.
The goal of the AI tool, according to Mars, is to catch small issues before they turn into big problems. It’s part of a broader trend of tech-enabled health monitoring—similar to fitness trackers or smartphone diagnostics for humans.
A Glimpse at the Future
Despite common concerns surrounding AI in human healthcare, digital health tools for pets are likely to grow fast. The pet care market is expected to increase by 45% by 2030, and today’s pet owners are more tech-savvy than ever.
For Mars, this is just the beginning. More tools are on the way, and the company is betting that the future of pet care will be digital, mobile, and AI-powered.
Whether that future leads to better outcomes — or unintended problems — will depend on how carefully these tools are used and understood.
