Follow these four steps to better dental care for your pet.

In a study by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and Hill's Pet Nutrition veterinarians cited dental care as one of the most important things a pet owner can do to increase the length of their cat or dog's life.

Learning to recognize the early signs of problems, regular veterinary visits, professional dental cleanings and brushing at home are all key to keeping your pet's teeth healthy.

Follow these four steps to help keep your pet's dental care on track:

Step #1 – Look out for common signs of dental problems.

These can include bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, depression and pawing at the face or mouth.

Step #2 – Schedule regular veterinary visits.

Take your pet to the veterinarian for regular cleanings and dental exams. Don't wait for his or her annual check-up if you suspect any signs of a problem.

Step #3 – Brush your pet's teeth.

Try to start when your pet is a puppy or kitten so they get used to the idea. However grown dogs and cats can also learn to tolerate brushing by introducing it gradually. Start by dipping a finger into beef bouillon for dogs or tuna water for cats and then rub the soaked finger gently over your pet's mouth and teeth. Work your way up to using gauze wrapped over your finger and gently scrubbing teeth in a circular motion.  Finally, introduce a soft toothbrush designed for pets.

Step #4 – Consider a food with oral care benefits.

A specially formulated food can help support pet dental care at home. For example, Hill's Science Diet Adult Oral Care dog and cat food is made with an ideal combination of nutrients and a clinically proven, fibre technology that helps scrub teeth and reduce plaque build-up.

More tips on pet dental health can be found at Hillspet.ca or Facebook.com/ScienceDietCanada.

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