A DEVIZES veterinary surgery has been educating pet owners on the importance of getting their cats' and dogs' teeth checked regularly.

Estcourt House Veterinary Surgeons got local schools involved in a competition to coincide with national Pet Smile Week.

Vet Ed Davies said: "Eleven schools took part in the competition and the children were asked to draw a pet with teeth.

"They mainly drew cats and dogs but there were also pictures of hedgehogs, rabbits and horses.

"We asked Sarah Morrison, who lives in Wedhampton and is president of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, to judge the entries and she said the quality was very high and she found it difficult to judge."

The prizewinners won art sets and all the schools were given prizes. This month Estcourt House is offering free dental check ups for cats and dogs and Mr Davies said the health of their teeth is paramount to their overall health.

"Dogs and cats are living longer than they did ten or 20 years ago and it's important they have decent teeth," he said.

"The most common disease is dental lesions as a result of poor teeth and if they get infections that can get into the blood stream."