Best Cat Treats for Teeth: Keep Your Cat’s Teeth Fresh
- Abi
- September 9, 2022
- 8:54 am
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Keeping your cats teeth clean, strong and healthy is just as important as feeding your pet a good quality diet. Without good oral health care cats can suffer from bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay. Let’s look at the best cat treats for teeth!
When we think of cat health, we don’t usually start with their teeth. But oral hygiene is as crucial for cats as it is for people. The problem is that your cat doesn’t want you anywhere near his mouth.
One solution is to find a dental treat your pet is eager to eat. These can significantly improve your cat’s oral health without damaging your fingers. So, what are the best cat treats for teeth, and why should you buy them?
We’ve tried many products over the years, from treats, chews, wipes, and old-fashioned toothpaste. Crunchy cat treats specifically formulated with a cat’s dental health in mind may be one of the best investments you make in your pet’s health.
We recommend Greenies Feline Oven Roasted Chicken Flavor Adult Dental Cat Treats. These dental treats not only keep your cat’s teeth clean but also freshen the breath. Let’s look at the best cat treats for teeth!
Benefits of Cleaning Your Cat's Teeth
Your cat may disagree, but there are significant benefits to cleaning your cat’s teeth regularly. Your cat’s instinctive reaction to humans handling their mouths shouldn’t discourage you.
It’s important to clean your cat’s teeth to prevent the following issues:
- Periodontal disease
- Gum disease
- Sinus infections
- Other health problems
Prevention of Periodontal Disease
Like people, cats can develop periodontal disease and gingivitis. Unsurprisingly, this can be uncomfortable and even painful for your cat. Symptoms include:
- Red/swollen gums
- Bleeding at the gum line
- Heavy plaque and tartar
Oral Hygiene Affects Feline Health
Unlikely as it sounds, a healthy mouth makes for a healthy cat. High-grade gingivitis doesn’t just affect your cat’s teeth. In extreme scenarios, it can cause sinus infections.
It doesn’t stop there, either. As bacteria build up in the mouth and sinus cavities, there’s a chance of migration to other parts of the body. In particular, there’s a demonstrable link between poor feline oral hygiene and liver and endocrine failure.
What Are The Best Cat Treats for Teeth
Here are our recommendations for the best cat treats for teeth available on Chewy:
- Greenies Feline Oven Roasted Chicken Flavor Adult Dental Cat Treats (Best buy)
- DentaLife Savory Salmon Flavor Dental Cat Treats, 1.8-oz bag (probiotic formula)
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Crunchy Bites Crunchy Cat Treats, 1.8-oz bag
- Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick Cat Chew Toy (Best chewy toy)
- Emerald Pet Feline Dental Treats with Chicken Cat Treats (Great value for money)
As a pet owner, it’s important to do everything you can to keep your cat healthy and happy. Greenies Chicken Flavor Dental Cat Treats are a great way to help keep your cat’s teeth clean and their breath fresh. These treats are the top product recommended by vets to help improve a cat’s oral health. They have also been accredited by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
These treats are made from natural ingredients and are nutritionally formulated to support the health of an adult cat. Your cat will love the crunchy texture, and extra vitamins and minerals have been added to support your pet’s health.
These treats are also low in calories, making them a great healthy snack for your pet. They don’t contain any nasty ingredients, such as fillers, preservatives, or flavorings.
Pros
- The crunchy texture of the treat cleans your cat’s teeth
- These treats reduce the build-up of plaque
- Helps to keep your cat’s breath fresh
- Manufactured from natural ingredients
- Contains added vitamins and minerals
- Nutritionally formulated to support the health of an adult cat
- Contains no fillers, preservatives, or flavorings
- Less than two calories per treat
- A healthy snack for your pet
- Available in a wide variety of flavors
Cons
- Not much to complain about with this product. Greenies produce high-quality products and have consistently good reviews on Chewy.
DentaLife Savory Salmon Flavor Dental Cat Treats are scientifically tested and manufactured in the USA to meet a cat’s oral health requirements. They reduce tartar and clean teeth, and cats love the crunchy texture.
These treats contain taurine, calcium, and probiotics, which will help improve your cat’s oral health and benefit their digestive system. Formulated with 100% natural ingredients, they also contain added vitamins and minerals to enhance your cat’s overall health. The resealable pouch and salmon flavor make them a convenient and delicious treat for your cat.
Pros
- Scientifically tested to meet a cat’s oral health requirements
- Reduces tartar and cleans teeth
- Crunchy texture that cats love
- Formulated with 100% natural ingredients
- Added vitamins and minerals to improve your cat’s overall health
- Contains probiotics to support your cat’s digestive system
- Comes in a resealable pouch
- Has added taurine and calcium
- Salmon flavored; other flavors are available
- Manufactured in the USA
- Recommended by Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)
Cons
- Some picky cats don’t like the taste of these treats.
- Many cat owners report that the treats are fairly large and are therefore difficult for their cat to eat.
The crunchy texture of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Crunchy Cat Treats helps remove tartar and freshens breath. These treats are made from the natural flavor of chicken and liver and are a source of protein.
Acceptance by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) makes these treats a good choice for your cat’s dental health. The low-calorie content makes them a good reward for cats that need to lose weight.
Pros
- A healthy low, calorie snack
- Makes a good reward for your pet while also cleaning teeth
- Freshens breath
- The porous texture removes tartar
- Made from the natural flavor of chicken and liver
- Acceptance by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)
- A source of protein
- Suitable for cats that are on a diet
Cons
- There are some reviews that say the treats are too large and some cats won’t eat them.
If you’re looking for a chew toy that will help keep your cat’s teeth clean and breath fresh, the Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick Cat Chew Toy is a great option. The toy is made from an irresistible crinkly material that encourages your cat to chew, and it is covered in netting to reduce tartar build-up.
The toy also contains dried cat mint to freshen the breath. It’s durable and designed not to unravel when chewed. The Petstages Cat Chew Toy is perfect for kittens, adults, and seniors. It is also great for cats that are usually fed soft foods, as it allows them to crunch and chew while cleaning their teeth and freshening their breath. The toy measures 4¾ inches in length.
Pros
- A great chew-style toy that cleans your cat’s teeth during play
- Contains mint to freshen the breath
- Covered in netting to reduce tartar build-up
- Designed not to unravel when chewed
- Made from a crinkly material that encourages chewing
- Measures 4¾ inches in length; has 1¼ inch wide leaves and ½ inch wide stem
- Great for kittens, adults, and senior cats
- Perfect for cats that are usually fed soft foods as it allows them to crunch and chew
cons
- Some cats have no interest in playing with chew-type toys.
- The toy tends to get a bit dirty and needs to be replaced after a few months.
The Emerald Pet Feline Dental Treats with Chicken are proudly manufactured in the USA and are formulated with American-sourced ingredients. These treats are a great way to keep your cat’s teeth clean and healthy without adding too many extra calories to your pet’s diet.
The larger size of the treat encourages chewing, which removes plaque, and the natural ingredients, including chicken, are healthy for cats. The treats are also free from grain, gluten, soy, and dairy, making them suitable for cats with sensitive stomachs.
Pros
- Fun, fish-shaped treats with a crunchy texture
- Contains natural ingredients, including chicken
- The larger size of the treat encourages chewing, which removes plaque
- Free from grain, gluten, soy, and dairy, making the treat good for cats with sensitive stomachs
- Each treat contains fewer than two calories
- Manufactured in the USA, using American ingredients
- Free from artificial colors, fillers, flavors, or preservatives.
Cons
- Some cats won’t eat these treats, but cats a well known to be picky so they may be worth a try. One reviewer says ‘only 1 out of my 9 cats would eat these.’
Best Cat Treats for Teeth: Buyer's Guide
So, that’s why you should invest in cat treats for teeth. But what should you look for to determine if the treats you buy are good, bad, or indifferent?
Type of Treats
When choosing the best cat treats for teeth, there’s less variety than there is for dogs. There’s no equivalent to the elongated canine chews that are so popular. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t options.
Tartar-removing treats are some of the most prevalent cat treats for promoting dental health. They work by reducing plaque and tartar on your cat’s teeth, lowering the risk of feline gingivitis and mouth ulcers. They also reduce how often and extensively you need to brush your cat’s teeth.
Cat treats with integrated probiotics are yet another dental treat worth considering. In addition to improving your cat’s oral hygiene, the probiotics help boost:
- Immune system
- Digestive tract
- Vitamin consumption
Ingredients
Not all cat treats for teeth are created equally. When it comes to finding a treat that is both healthy and benefits your cat’s teeth and gums, there are a few things to consider.
Protein is one of the most critical ingredients in a healthy cat treat. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they have an easier time digesting proteins like chicken and turkey than carbohydrates like potato or grain.
That said, carbohydrates play a vital part in promoting feline health by ensuring they get appropriate levels of taurine.
But when considering dental treats for your cat, your primary consideration should be protein. After all, treats are small, and you want them to be as nutritious as possible.
Vitamins
Vitamins are something else to look for on the ingredients list when trying to find the best cat treats for teeth. Vitamins like vitamins C and E help promote healthy gums as well as teeth.
Flavors
Flavors are another thing to watch for. Generally speaking, you want to avoid artificial flavors and additives and stick to naturally-occurring flavors like chicken or salmon.
But there’s a case to be made for a dental treat that gets your cat to eat it, especially if your feline is reluctant to let you handle their mouth.
If that’s the case, it might help to look for a dental treat designed to taste like catnip. Cats find it irresistible, and if the treat promotes dental health, the taste might be an indulgence you can overlook.
Cleaning Tips
That’s all well and good, but how does one go about cleaning a cat’s teeth?
As anyone who has ever owned a cat can attest that getting near a cat’s mouth is not easy. So, what can you do to keep tooth decay to a minimum?
Minimize Pain
The most important thing is to take it slowly. Never start by trying to take a toothbrush to feline teeth. It’s not impossible, but a cat unfamiliar with home dental care might object. Not only that, but if there is tooth decay, then the initial cleaning can be painful.
It’s crucial that as you ease into the tooth cleaning process, you keep pain to a minimum. You need to build positive memories and associations to keep your cat healthy and the dental bills low.
Take It Slow
Start by ignoring the toothbrush. Gently run a finger around your cat’s gums. Ideally, you want to start when your cat is in kittenhood, but if you adopted a cat or weren’t aware tooth care was part of the cat-owner relationship, that may not be possible.
Once your cat is used to having his gums handled, you can add a bit of toothpaste to your finger. Many pet shops sell feline toothpaste and toothbrush combinations designed to appeal to cats.
But you should only introduce the toothbrush into this process once the cat accepts both gum and tooth handling, as well as the toothpaste. Be prepared to try several flavors of feline toothpaste and get your fingers severely nicked in the process.
Offer Rewards
Finally, always keep treats on hand. As mentioned, this needs to be a positive experience for your cat if you want to come away with your hands intact and your cat’s teeth polished. Bribery is an excellent way to do this.
And if at any point your cat becomes nervous, stop. Hand them the treats and leave the rest of their teeth for another day. Getting your cat to accept dental care from you takes considerable time and effort. It won’t happen overnight, and you shouldn’t expect it to.
Other Ways to Clean a Cat's Teeth
A few different products on the market will help you clean your cat’s teeth and keep their breath fresh. These products can be used daily from a young age to reduce the build-up of plaque and stop teeth from becoming rotten. These products are great if you find it challenging to clean your pet’s teeth with toothpaste and a brush:
- Teeth wipes
- Cat treats for teeth
- Chewy toys
- Water additives
- Dental supplements
- Dental gels and sprays
Cat Dental Health FAQs
Here are some common questions cat owners often have about feline dental health:
How often should you clean a cat’s teeth?
The answer to this question will depend on the individual cat’s level of oral hygiene. It would be best if you cleaned your cat’s teeth at least once a week.
Can I use human toothpaste to clean my cat’s teeth?
You should not use human toothpaste to clean your cat’s teeth, as it can be harmful if swallowed. Many kinds of toothpaste are available specifically for cats that are safe for them to consume.
What are some signs that my cat may have dental problems?
Some common signs of dental problems in cats include bad breath, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, and refusal to eat. If you notice any of these signs, you must take your cat to the vet for a check-up.
The Best Cat Treats for Teeth: Conclusion
Research is important when it comes to finding the best cat treats for teeth. You want to find a balance between something that appeals to your cat’s sense of taste but is also healthy and effective against plaque and tartar.
Even more important is a healthy degree of patience on your part. It takes time and considerable effort to ease a cat into an oral hygiene routine, but it can be done. All it takes is time, patience, and an understanding that you will suffer from outraged claws the first few times you get too close to those teeth.
If you’ve had problems cleaning your pet’s teeth in the past, cat treats are a great alternative to traditional toothpaste. We recommend Greenies Feline Oven Roasted Chicken Flavor Adult Dental Cat Treats. Most cats love the taste, and the crunchy texture is perfect for cleaning a cat’s teeth.
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