Since then Dr Salter, a veterinarian, has given dogs and cats fillings, root-canal work and braces.

The number of people seeking dental work for their pets had increased substantially in the past decade, Dr Salter told the Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference in Melbourne this week.

He said each of Australia's veterinary dental practices would see more than 1000 animals a year. Dr Salter, president of the Australian Veterinary Dental Society, said work varied from basic jobs such as tooth cleaning or extracting a bad tooth, to treating gum disease and oral tumors, fillings and root canals on broken teeth.

To avoid regular trips to the dog dentist, Dr Salter said people should watch their pets' eating habits, especially chewing. "Most cavities in humans are from too much sugar but in dogs and cats it is due to behavior (such as chewing) that causes fractured or worn teeth," he said.

Periodontal disease was the most common. It affected 80 to 85 per cent of dogs and cats of two to three years of age and is a result of insufficient chewing. Orthodontic work was often for dogs whose teeth were poorly positioned, Dr Salter said.

How can you help your dog have good dental health? The Doctor suggests asking your vet to show you how to properly brush your dog's teeth. Use only toothpaste recommended for canine use and get regular check-ups.

AND NOW...THE TOES!

Clipping Your Dog or Cat's Nails

If you're like many pet owners, you may be hesitant to trim your dog's nails because you're afraid of cutting the quick of the nail which may cause pain or bleeding. Once you learn how to do it, clipping your pet's nails is almost as easy as clipping your own.

When you are trimming your pet's nails, you are only cutting away the excess. Recognizing what is excess and where the nerves and blood vessels begin is what you need to know to make nail trimming a painless process for both you and your pet.

Hold your dog's paw firmly and push on its pads to extend the nail. Locate where the quick ends. With clear or light nails, it is easy to see the pink color where the quick ends.

Using a nail trimmer for pets, cut the nail below the quick on a 45-degree angle, with the cutting end of the nail clipper toward the end of the nail. You will be cutting off the finer point. Make several small nips with the clippers instead of one larger one. Next, file the nail in a sweeping motion starting from the back of the nail and following the curve to the tip. Several strokes will remove any burrs and leave the nail smooth.

If you accidentally cut the quick, wipe off the blood and apply Kwik-Stop or styptic powder to stop the bleeding. It's not serious and will heal in a very short time.

Remember, it is better to trim a small amount on a regular basis than to try and remove large portions.