Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding canine dental health among dog owners in Malaysia

An abstract of the research paper presented to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, in partial requirement of the course DVT 55204 – Research Project. Canine dental disease is one of the most common health conditions affecting dogs, yet preventive care is often overlooked by pet owners. This study assessed the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) regarding canine dental health among 100 dog owners in Malaysia using a cross-sectional survey. Findings showed that while knowledge and attitudes were generally positive—46% demonstrated good knowledge and 48% showed good attitudes—actual dental care practices remained insufficient, with only 26% achieving good practice levels. Significant associations were found between KAP levels and demographic factors such as age, gender, dog ownership experience, and dog age. Correlation analysis further revealed significant positive relationships between knowledge, attitude, and practice (p < 0.05), indicating that increased awareness contributes to improved behaviour. Despite this, a considerable gap persists between knowing the importance of dental care and consistently implementing it. The results highlight the need for targeted educational interventions, greater veterinary guidance, and improved accessibility of preventive dental services to enhance canine oral health in Malaysia.