Dental care for dogs and cats is essential for their health and well-being. A badly cared for mouth can lead to bad breath, pain and difficulty in eating.

To keep your pet's mouth in shape it's important to carryout regular checks.

Periodontal disease is a chronic disease with a very slow development. It begins with a build up of plaque on the dental enamel and progresses through gingivitis, bone loss and loose teeth and finally in lost teeth.

Your pet should have an annual dental check with the vet to clean their teeth and prevent excessive build-up of  plaque.

Whilst your pet still has its milk teeth, there's no need to carry out dental care at home as these teeth last for a short time and rarely cause problems.  However it's advisable to accustom your pet from a young age to dental hygiene and get them used to a tooth brush and pet specific toothpaste.