For the month of March, doggy dental will be at the forefront of the agenda, in a drive to inform pet owners that simple and affordable changes to their pet’s routine could save thousands of pounds in vets bills.

The initiative is spearheaded by supplements brand Pawable, leading raw food manufacturers Paleo Ridge and healthy cleaning and pet care products provider Ingenious Probiotics.

The companies have combined forces to offer practical dental care tips for your dog, which can help you save money, as well as ensure that their teeth are kept in tip top condition.

Dog Dental Month was recently featured on BBC Radio Four's You and Yours programme, and presenter Winifred Robison spoke to Dr Karolina Enlund, who led a Swedish study into dog dental health, sent out to over 200,000 dog owners.

The research found that the vast majority of pet owners do not brush their dog's teeth at all, and Dog Dental Month is about providing easy and cost effective methods to clean your dog's teeth at home.

These methods include feeding raw meat, introducing an easy to administer probiotic tooth cleaning spray, and giving your dog a collagen supplement, which improves teeth and gums.

Dr Carolina said: "There were no widespread surveys about dental home care in dogs, and how common it is for dog owners to brush their dog's teeth, which is the gold standard in veterinary dental care.

"We saw that less than 4% of dog owners brush their dog's teeth daily, and daily is the recommendation because plaque on the teeth builds up immediately after brushing."

She added: "Dog owners are aware that dental disease is really common, especially in small breeds, lots of dog owners want to brush but there are lots of problems because their dogs are not cooperative."

Anna Webb, host of the award-nominated A Dog’s Life podcast and canine nutritionist, is happy to lend her support to the initiative.

A special edition of the podcast will focus on Dog Dental Month, and shine a light on the inexpensive things we can all do better to care for our pets.

She said: “It’s a month to celebrate your dog’s teeth! Shockingly 80% of dogs at only two years of age show some signs of dental disease. Many factors can contribute to a dog’s oral health including, diet, cleaning, and appropriate chews.

“Some breeds are more prone like Toy breeds and Flat Faced breeds. As the No:1 cause of trips to the vets, working preventatively is not only prudent, might not be as difficult as you think, and will save costly vet bills that are often not covered by insurance.  

“The good news is in most cases periodontal disease is reversible. Just as in humans’ dental disease is serious and can, in extreme cases, cause severe inflammation in the body, which can affect the vital organs and compromise the immune system.

“Working preventatively beginning with a healthy species appropriate diet, (like Paleo Ridge) and appropriate supplementation through a dog’s life-stages.

“Combining an awareness of environmental stressors that can compromise the immune system, including diet, cleaning products in the home, air pollution, the water our dogs drink. Adding appropriate enrichment lifestyle support like raw bones, probiotic dental care and natural chews, that help clean the teeth but also help dogs relax and settle.”

Dale Nash, of Pawable, which offers the UK’s first collagen supplement for dogs, said: “We are so excited about teaming up with Ingenious Probiotics and Paleo Ridge for Dog Dental Month.

“Everything that our three brands do is about natural care for your pet, and healthy teeth is at the heart of that.”

Esther Logue, of raw feeding food brand Paleo Ridge, said: “This Dog Dental Month is the perfect time to learn some really exciting things about your dog.

“Your dog is amazing and we are looking forward to sharing all sorts of fun tips, advice and stories on our social media pages throughout.”

Joe Flanagan, of Ingenious Probiotics, added: “Simple changes to your dog’s routine really do make all the difference, and at a time when everyone is tightening their belts, could save you a lot of money too.

“There are plenty of things we can all do at home cheaply and effectively to ensure that our dogs’ teeth stay healthy, and avoid costly visits to the vet.”