Dental checks for pets
leave owners smiling

CHEW toys and catnip aside the recent pet dental week was a serious business, as participating veterinarians across the country checked the dental health of cats and dogs for New Zealand's WOOF Week.

Every moggie and pooch receiving its Warrant Of Oral Fitness (WOOF) certificate from May 27 to June 2 won their caregivers a seven dollar voucher for Eukanuba cat and dog food.

If this voucher wasn't enough to howl about, owners were also put in the draw to win the $1500 cash prize or one of five consolation prizes.

Rowan Laurence from Tamahere will be her cat BJ's favourite friend after a quick dental check at Newstead Vets during WOOF Week won her six months' supply of Eukanuba cat food and a range of Masterpet accessories. WOOF Week organiser Rosalie Nords said the aim of the promotion was to highlight the importance of maintaining optimal dental health for cats and dogs.

"As many as 85 percent of dogs and 75 percent of cats over three years of age suffer from dental problems. If left untreated, these problems can be detrimental to their overall health," she said.

Rather than pussy-footing around the problem and ending up in the dog box, helping cats and dogs stay orally healthy can be as easy as providing an appropriate diet and taking your pet for regular dental checks.

After extensive research into improving pets' dental health the Iams Company introduced a new dental component across all Eukanuba adult and senior dry formulas that has cats and dogs putting their paws up for more. Eukanuba's new Dental Defence system helps reduce tartar formation on teeth by up to 55 percent on dogs and 45 percent on cats, as demonstrated in 28-day feeding comparisons.

The six WOOF Week winners were smiling alongside their pets after receiving their prizes. Winner of the $1500 cash prize was Kathy Johnston who lives in Invercargill.