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10 Best Cat Dental Treats
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We always want our best furry friends to be happy and healthy but when it comes to dental health and hygiene, it can be tricky. A great way to make sure your cat’s teeth are getting properly clean is through cat dental treats! They are an easy and fun way to keep your cat healthy.
Why Does My Moggy Need Cat Dental Treats?
Just like humans, dental health is very important to the overall health of your cat. However, trust us when we say we know how difficult it can be to even peek inside your cat’s mouth, much less get a toothbrush in there.
Unfortunately, dental issues are pretty common among cats. that could lead to other health concerns and illnesses. Not only can poor dental health hurt, but it can also lead to diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth resorption. In fact, some studies have shown that 50-90% of cats four years old and older have some kind of dental disease.
As you can see, cleaning your cat’s teeth is very important! You could clean your cat’s teeth in a variety of ways including brushing, mouth rinses, and the easiest method, giving them dental treats. That’s right! Through just a few treats a day, you could improve your cat’s dental health.
Greenies Feline Dental Care Treats
Our choice is the Greenies Feline Dental Care Treats, the Best Overall Cat Dental Treat you can buy for your cat!
The Importance of Cat’s Mouth Hygiene & Using Feline Dental Treats
Like we mentioned, keeping your cat’s mouth healthy is vital to keeping up their overall health for several reasons. First and most obvious is the importance teeth play in their everyday lives. Without teeth, cats’ diets are limited and it could even lead to them losing their appetite.
Not to mention, some health problems your cat could encounter originate in the mouth. Things like gingivitis and periodontitis not only hurt your cat’s teeth, gums, and mouth, but it can also affect their organs and ultimately lead to a shorter lifespan for your furry friend.
The fact that cats are carnivores also affects their teeth and what you need to do to keep them healthy. Domestic cats actually have more teeth problems than wild cats. This is because wild cats who hunt and kill their food are also consuming fur and bone which cleans their teeth.
When domestic cats eat either wet or dry food, they are not getting the same cleaning effect, especially if the pieces are small enough to swallow whole with no chewing.
How Do I Check My Cat’s Mouth?
When faced with checking and cleaning their cat’s mouth for the first time, many owners have no clue how to start or what they should be looking for. The first and most important tip is always be careful and watch your fingers! Cats are finicky creatures even when they are not being prodded, so they may not take well to a mouth check as you might imagine.
When you do check your cat’s mouth, it is important to not surprise, startle, or scare them. Pick a time where they are already comfortable and relaxed. A good tip here is to talk to them in a calming voice throughout the entire process to keep them as calm as possible.
First, check their breath. Very bad breath is usually an indication of a dental issue or poor hygiene, so make sure to take note of that. When you are able to, tilt their head back and open your cat’s mouth with your thumb and index finger and peek inside. You may need good lighting or a flashlight to see everything.
What you are looking for is signs of problems with their teeth or gums. Their teeth should be white or slightly yellow and their gums should be light pink, however, it is common to see other kinds of gum pigmentation. If you see anything that doesn’t look right, as with anything, make sure to consult your vet.
What to Look For in Cat Teeth Cleaning Treats
With so many cat dental treats on the market, it can be hard to figure out which ones are the ones for your cat. So here are a few tips to help you get started.
First, always look for cat dental treats that are clinically proven so you know they are safe and approved for dental cleaning. Also, make sure that they are chewable treats and not just a breath freshener.
When it comes to the size of the treat, the bigger, the better. Larger treats have to be chewed for longer, thereby increasing the amount of cleaning your cat’s teeth get.
The ingredients are also an important factor in your cat’s dental care treats. For starters, you want to make sure that the treats aren’t high in calories because once you start feeding your cat multiple treats a day, they could become quite fattening.
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And it’s never a bad idea to look for cat dental treats without artificial ingredients or grain since cats don’t need grain at all. There are several treats available that contain real meat and those are always preferable.
Some other things to look out for in cat dental treats are packages that are easily resealed to keep treats fresh and treats that do not leave any residue behind in the mouth.
Caring For Your Cat’s Teeth
Taking proper care of your cat’s teeth can be tricky, but well worth it in the long run. There are several steps you can take to assure your cat’s mouth stays in tip-top shape!
First and foremost is regular check-ups at the vet. If you are taking your cat to the vet consistently, then they will be able to establish a baseline for their cat dental health and will be able to identify when issues arise.
The next step you can take is cleaning your cat’s teeth at home. Brushing is the ideal way to keep your cat’s teeth clean. It is best to get your cat used to getting their teeth brushed a little at a time. Start by just opening their mouth and then massaging their gums.
When they are used to this, introduce a cat toothbrush and cat toothpaste into the mix, starting with a little toothpaste at first and then increasing the amount you use when they get used to it. Also, make sure to use a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for cats.
However, we all know how hard it can be to safely get into a cat’s mouth. If regular brushing is not something easily done for your cat, you have other options such as dental treats, toys, and rinses. Giving your cat’s mouth a good deep clean is totally possible with plenty of patience.
You could also change up your cat’s diet to aid in their dental hygiene. Wet canned food is better for their teeth than kibble, so try feeding them more wet than dry and see if that helps.
Also, keep in mind that if you have an older cat, some of the wear on their teeth may just be from age. If your cat is older, always take great care when cleaning their teeth and be sure to alert your vet if any issues or concerns come up.
The Best Cat Dental Treats Products
1. Greenies Feline Dental Care Treats - Best Overall Cat Dental Treat
Greenies Feline Natural Dental Care Cat Treats are the number one veterinarian-recommended dental treat for cats. Their shape and crunchiness cleans their teeth and removes plaque. Not to mention, these treats also freshen their breath!
The recommended serving size for a 10-pound adult cat is 8 treats a day. If weight gain or control is a concern, you can feel safe feeding these treats to your cats. There are less than two calories in one treat and you can always adjust the rest of your cat’s diet to account for the calories from the treats.
Greenies dental treats also include no artificial preservatives, flavors, or fillers. There are also many different vitamins and minerals included in these treats for a nutritional boost such as taurine, B12, D3, biotin, and folic acid.
With flavors such as chicken, tuna, and catnip, these treats interested even picky eaters!
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2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Cat Dental Care Treats- Best Grain Free Cat Dental Treats
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness cat dental care treats are a great grain-free option for cats of all ages. These treats are small and soft, so it is perfect for cats who might have teeth issues or other problems with chewing.
Not only are these treats grain-free, but the first ingredient listed is real meat. They do not contain any by-products or artificial flavors or preservatives. These treats also come in a variety of tasty flavors including chicken and trout, chicken and turkey, chicken and salmon, and chicken and duck.
To help reduce the possibility of weight gain, the Blue Buffalo Wilderness dental cat treats only contain 1.5 calories per treat. While these treats are specifically made to clean teeth, they still help remove plaque and other build-up. These treats can also be used for training and rewarding your cat!
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3. Wellness Kittles Crunchy - Best Premium Cat Dental Treats
The Wellness Kittles Crunchy Treats are a great all-natural, grain-free, and gluten-free way to clean your cat’s teeth. With the number one listed ingredient being salmon, these treats do not contain any by-products, or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
The crunchiness of these cat treats clean teeth and removes plaque while the included vitamin A, phosphorus, and calcium support teeth and gum health. Other ingredients, such as vitamin C from cranberries, antioxidants from blueberries, and salmon oil support urinary health, overall health, and skin and coat health.
With such a wide variety of flavors including chicken and cranberries, duck and cranberries, salmon and cranberries, tuna and cranberries, and whitefish and cranberries, these treats even appeal to picky eaters. You also have the option to purchase a variety pack.
Not to mention, between the wholesome ingredients and the fact one Wellness Kittle Crunchy Cat Treat contains less than 2 calories, weight gain isn’t a huge concern as long as you take the proper feeding precautions.
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4. Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene - Best Enzymatic Cat Dental Chews
The Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene cat dental chews are a clinically proven way to keep your cat’s teeth clean. It includes a dual enzyme system and a natural antiseptic that helps break down tartar on your cat’s teeth and reduces plaque-forming bacteria. It’s abrasive, flaky texture combined with the chewing motion removes plaque build-up.
These treats are made from freeze-dried fish and several other ingredients. They come in fish and poultry flavors and are available in 30 or 96 count packs. You only need to give your cat one treat a day, so they could last you a while. However, these treats are on the expensive side.
The texture of the Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene cat dental chews/treats are flaky and chewy to aid in teeth cleaning. However, it is still soft enough for cats with missing or damaged teeth to easily chew and eat.
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5. Petstages Catnip Chew Mice - Best Dental Cat Chew Toy
Toys are also a great option to help keep your kitty’s teeth cleaned! The Petstages Catnip Chew Mice cleans, flosses, and massages cat’s teeth and gums all while they are busy playing. And with catnip on the inside, many cats are naturally attracted to these toys. That means no more struggling to keep your cat still while you brush their teeth!
These dental cat chew toys clean your cat’s teeth with its durable netting. As they chew on the toy, the netting gets in between their teeth and flosses them, while also massaging their gums. The netting also does a good job of removing the soft plaque on their teeth.
Between the catnip, streamers, and their light weight, these dental cat chew toys are a great playtime addition for cats of any age. Not to mention, by encouraging chewing, these toys may also be good for teething kitties.
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6. Temptations Classic Crunchy - Best Classic Cat Dental Treats
Temptations Classic Crunchy cat Treats are an all-around favorite and are truly a classic cat treat. While not made specifically for teeth cleaning, the crunch and hardness of these treats help clean off plaque from your cat’s teeth.
The Temptations dental cat treats have a unique shape with a pocket that holds creamy goodness. With a crunchy outside and a soft center, these treats are a hit with even picky cats. They come in chicken, seafood, tuna, and salmon flavors and are the number one cat treat in America.
This 30-ounce tub comes with a screw-top lid to keep it fresh. It is recommended that at under 2 calories per treat, it is recommended that you feed your cat 10-12 treats for every 10 pounds of body weight a day. These treats can also be fed as a complete and balanced meal. They recommended feeding your cat ½ to ⅔ cups for every 10 pounds of body weight.
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7. Vetoquinol Dentahex Oral Hygiene Rinse - Best Rinse Option
The Vetoquinol 411425 Dentahex Oral Hygiene Rinse is an easy way to treat and clean your cat’s teeth. This product was created by veterinary dental experts and is highly recommended by veterinarians. And not only is it great for cats, it’s great for dogs, too!
This rinse contains chlorhexidine gluconate which kills bacteria that cause periodontal disease while removing plaque, calculus, and tartar. It also includes zinc which helps strengthen teeth and gives it a nice taste. Not to mention, it gets hard to reach areas and freshens breath with a nice minty smell!
Compared to brushing your cat’s teeth, the Dentahex Oral Hygiene Rinse is super easy! All you have to do is apply a small amount of this rinse to your cat’s gum line after a meal once a day. When it runs, it will get the entire oral cavity. However, make sure to go slow and be aware because, just like our mouthwash, your cat should not be ingesting large amounts of this rinse.
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8. Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste Kit + Fingerbrush - Best for Brushing Teeth
The Vetoquinol Enzadent Enzymatic Toothpaste Kit + Fingerbrush gives you a great start to dental hygiene for your cat. It can be used on cats and dogs to freshen bad breath and clean teeth.
The toothpaste has a triple enzyme formula that removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria while also removing leftover food debris. The toothpaste doesn’t foam and is safe to swallow, so that’s one less thing for you to worry about when taking on the treacherous task of reaching in your cat’s mouth for an extended period of time.
This tooth brushing kit also comes with a finger brush that makes brushing your cat’s teeth just a little bit easier than navigating a toothbrush. Hopefully, that plus the enticing poultry flavor of the toothpaste will make your cat a little more willing to have their teeth brushed.
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9. Emerald Pet Dental Treats
The Emerald Pet Feline Dental Treat is a great healthy option for cleaning your cat’s teeth. These treats are grain, gluten, dairy, and soy-free, so you don’t have to worry if your cat is allergic to these ingredients. They also use other simple ingredients in these treats including ocean fish and alfalfa.
The crunchiness of the treat is what reduces tartar and plaque on your cat’s teeth while also freshening their breath. Not to mention, there are only 2 calories in each treat so you don’t have to worry about your cat gaining weight.
Emerald Pet Feline Dental Treats come in a variety of flavors such as tuna, ocean fish, salmon, and catnip and each treat is shaped like a fish!
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10. Meowmix Brushing Bites
Meowmix Brushing Bites is another great treat for cleaning your cat’s teeth. The crunch combined with the specially designed rigid shape removes plaque and tartar. These treats also include vitamin D and calcium to help strengthen teeth as well as bones.
This variety pack comes with three pouches of three different tasty flavors: chicken, tuna, and salmon. These pouches are resealable to help keep them fresh!
However, if your cat has allergies to gluten or if you are concerned with the ingredients you are feeding your cat, these may not be the treats for you because these cat dental treats include ingredients like cornflour and chicken by-product.
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Final Thoughts on Cat Dental Treats and Cat Dental Sticks
Cat dental treats are a good way to improve and maintain dental hygiene. While brushing your cat’s teeth is highly recommended, we understand that it takes time for your kitty to allow you to do so.
The Greenies Feline Dental Cat Treats are the overall best cat dental treat on the market, especially since it is the number one veterinary recommended dental treat. Greenies dental treats not only clean teeth and remove plaque, but they also freshen breath and deliver essential vitamins and nutrients to keep your cat happy and healthy.
No matter what, as long as you are keeping an eye on your cat’s dental hygiene and taking them to the vet for regular check-ups, your cat will continue to be a happy and healthy member of your family!
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