Stressing the fact that dental health of the pets is as important as that of their owners, the Willingboro Veterinary Clinic on Sidney Lane is putting across the pet dental care message to the pet owners during the pet dental month – February.

As per the clinic, oral disease happens to be the leading health problem that is often detected in pets; and almost 65 percent of dogs suffering from first-stage periodontal disease generally don not get timely treatment.

During February, the clinic will partake in the 16th annual ‘Pets Need Dental Care Too’ initiative; and will, among other things, amass donations for making payments for dental care for a rescue dog.

Elaborating more about the initiative, veterinary technician Vicki McGonigal said that the clinic intends handing out, to the customers, backpacks that will comprise dental chews for pets; toothbrushes; and toothpaste; along with materials for reducing tarter and gum disease; as well as writing tablets for owners.

Emphasizing that the pets should preferably be taken for a once-a-year professional cleaning and dental examination; McGonigal, especially underlining the need for reduction of plaque, said: “If teeth become filled with plaque, pets can get periodontal disease. That can lead to kidney, heart, liver and other health problems. Poor dental health also can cause pain and affect eating habits.”