IT IS about now that all those New Year's resolutions that were made with such enthusiasm two weeks ago start to become less appealing and begin to fall by the wayside. So if you are failing to keep up with your own resolutions how about making some for your animals instead?

Every time we see cats and dogs for vaccination health checks we will have a look at their teeth to see whether they are healthy. Sadly, in most pets over the age of about six their teeth will start to look pretty nasty. We see the slow build-up of tartar and then the inevitable gum disease that follows. There is however a small subsection of our patients where this is not the case – those that have their teeth brushed by their owners. These patients (usually dogs but sometimes cats as well) invariably have lovely looking teeth. It really is as simple as that – brushing your pet's teeth will help prevent dental disease.

Healthy teeth are not just nice to look at and smell free, they also mean that your pet has a pain free mouth. Also, very importantly, it can mean avoiding having to have your pet's teeth cleaned and treated under anaesthetic. No one wants to put their pet under general anaesthetic but dental work is one of the commonest reasons for general anaesthetics in older pets.

So, this New Year, make brushing your pet's teeth your new resolution – remember to use a dog or cat specific toothpaste and not a human one.