Best Cat Dental Treats
Even before you to think of the right toys for your cats or the right cat brush for shedding, make sure that you will take care of their dental health first. According to PetMD, cats would have a total of 30 teeth once they have reached adulthood and taking care of it is very important. For humans, we can do it ourselves and follow a good routine of brushing our teeth.
Unfortunately, cats can’t do that on their own. Cats in the wild look for a suitable replacement in cleaning their teeth like chewing on grass or bones. However, this is a different story when your cats are domesticated and is now under your care, that’s why the best cat dental treats are a very important investment.
Dental health affects not only your cat’s teeth and gums, but also other parts of their body as the sickness spreads out from their mouth. An estimate of 85% of cats can develop a periodontal disease which refers to the condition when tartar builds up on their teeth and causes gum inflammation. As the periodontal disease started to build up, the toxins will start to come to their organs and bloodstream, which can cause a failure in its function and can cause the development of other issues.
Cat dental treats are one of the most popular products that can be used in preventing dental problems and in promoting healthier gums and teeth. This aid the cat owners to save time in brushing the teeth of their cats daily and make it fun for them. To find the right one for you, check out the best cat dental treats we’ve listed below.
Contents
- Cat Dental Treats Comparison Table
- Common Dental Issues of Cats
Cat Dental Treats Comparison Table
| Name | Main Ingredients | Protein | Fat | Fiber | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenies Dental Cat Treats Variety Pack | Chicken Meal, Wheat, Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry Fat | 27% | 12% | 10% | Click Here |
| Purina Pro Plan Dental Crunch Cat Snack | Ground Yellow Corn, Chicken Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Digest, Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols | 32% | 10% | 7% | Click Here |
| Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Cats | Freeze-dried fish, Dextrose, Antioxidants, Glucose Oxidase, Dried Whey Protein Concentrate | 40% | 40% | 0.5% | Click Here |
| IAMS Proactive Health Daily Cat Treats | Chicken Meal, Rice Flour, Wheat Flour, Corn Gluten Meal, Oat Fiber | 27% | 12% | 10% | Click Here |
| Purina DentaLife Dental Cat Treats | Ground Yellow Corn, Chicken Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Digest, Animal Fat Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols | 32% | 10% | 7% | Click Here |
The Greenies Dental Cat Treats Variety Pack offers great flavors that your cats will love. It includes tempting tuna, savory salmon, ocean fish, succulent beef, oven roasted chicken, and catnip flavors. This is one of the most popular options on the market that is being considered by many consumers because of its quality and the nutrients it can offer.
These cat dental treats are also recommended by veterinarians. It has a crunchy texture that makes it easier for your cats to chew and this helps in scraping off the tartar and avoid the build-up of plaque. Aside from that, there are added vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll. This also has Taurine that is needed for the healthy vision and heart of your cats.
This gives the right level of nutrients they require while maintaining the health of their teeth. You can also give different flavors every day to let your cats enjoy better tastes and avoid getting tired of having the same flavor repeatedly.
Pros
- It is highly recommended by vets.
- It is available in different flavors for your cats to enjoy.
- It has added vitamins and minerals to support your cat’s health.
- It has Taurine for the healthy vision and heart of your cats.
Cons
- It can be a bit small for some cats.
- There are cats that don’t like the texture of this.
The Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Cats is specially formulated to help maintain the dental health of your cats. It combines natural antiseptic activity and comes with abrasive action that helps control the development of tartar and plaque. Virbac is a well-known brand when it comes to pet care and can give you assurance on what they offer.
It offers an exclusive dual-enzyme system that eliminates the bacteria coming from dental plaques. It is made with carefully selected freeze-dried fish that makes it healthy and keeps all the nutrients on each piece. The recommended serving is one (1) chew per day to achieve a better result in the overall maintenance of your cat’s teeth.
It is ideal to use this together with other dental care products of the company or you can serve it as a supplement to their natural diet. It is available in a re-sealable pack that makes it easier for you to keep on your pockets and easier to serve to your cats.
Pros
- Its size is big enough to promote chewing.
- It easily fights bacteria and avoids plaque buildup.
- It is available in poultry and fish flavors.
- This is offered in re-sealable packs for easy serving.
Cons
- It has a high-calorie content.
- Small cats won’t like to chew on it.
The Purina DentaLife Dental Cat Treats boasts to have more porous texture than other cat treats that you can find on the market, which makes it ideal and can help reduce tartar buildup. It is formulated to clean all sides of your cats’ teeth. According to the company, this is scientifically designed in penetrating the tooth to effectively maintain the cleanliness of your cats’ teeth.
There are no artificial flavors and colors used, but this is only recommended for adult cats. It is a tasty treat that uses wholesome ingredients and gives the right flavors that your cats will surely love. This is a special line of pet oral care that has been produced by Purina, which is a well-known company because of their global-quality products.
This treat is available in two flavors including chicken and salmon. It should be fed daily for better results and can be used as treats if your cats show a good behavior.
Pros
- It is specially designed to clean the teeth of cats.
- It is porous and crunchy enough for your cats.
- It is available in salmon and chicken flavors.
- It has added Calcium and Taurine.
Cons
- Some cats may cause a mess when chewing this.
When buying cat food, we always look for the label “grain-free” to ensure that our cats are getting the right nutrients they need. This should also be the same when it comes to their dental treats and Authority makes it possible for you. The Authority Grain-Free Dental Cat Treats is formulated to have zero grains and have no artificial colors and flavors added.
It helps clean and helps maintain the teeth and gums of your cats while also promoting a fresh breath. This comes with only two (2) calories per treat which makes it ideal even for cats that are suffering from sensitive stomach or other sensitivities. It is made with chicken and comes with a crunchy texture for easy chewing and proper digestion.
Aside from that, this can be a recommended dietary supplement for your cats as it won’t promote obesity and lets them maintain an ideal body condition with the right level of nutrients that they need.
Pros
- It is free from grains and additives.
- It is all-natural and only comes with two (2) calories per treat.
- It is available in chicken and fish flavors.
- It has a crunchy texture for easy chewing and digestion.
Cons
- It has limited availability online.
- There are cats that won’t eat this.
The Smart n’ Tasty Cat Ocean Fish Dental Grain-Free Treats is among the popular dental treats that are highly recommended by many veterinarians. It is formulated with no artificial ingredients, flavors or preservatives. It is naturally preserved and help your cats in cleaning their teeth and in maintaining a fresh breath.
It is one of the best dental treats on the market that promises to help reduce tartar and plaque buildup on your cats. It is a limited ingredient formula and comes with less than two (2) calories per treat. It is free from grains and is made of ocean fish to easily entice your cats and let them enjoy the treat they deserve.
You can also have this in other flavors depending on the preferences of your cats. With limited ingredient used, you can be assured that there would be no fillers or additives used on this product and that your cats are getting the right level of nutrients they need.
Pros
- It comes with cat-shaped treats.
- It has limited ingredient for more assurance.
- It is an all-natural formula and is free from grains.
- It is made in the USA and is highly recommended by many veterinarians.
Cons
- Some cats may be picky about the flavor they want.
The IAMS Proactive Health Daily Cat Treats features salmon flavor that makes it highly appetizing and can eventually boost the appetite of your cat. This has been formulated and designed to deep clean the ridges of your cat’s teeth and help them in reducing the tartar and plaque build up. This is highly recommended and is considered by many cat owners as it also comes from a trusted brand.
This oral care is popular in having crunchy and unique kibbles that gently clean the teeth of your cats while providing protection that they need for a long and healthy life. With the salmon flavor, your cats will surely love every bit of it and at the same time, enjoy the dental health benefits that it can offer. It can serve as a treat or as a supplement since it helps put weight on your cat and helps promote an ideal body condition.
This is 100% balanced for adult maintenance and is offered with well-textured kibbles that can easily be digested and chewed by your cats. Make sure that you will follow the ideal feeding guide depending on your cats’ weight.
Pros
- It is designed to clean your cat’s teeth.
- It has crunchy and unique kibbles.
- It is easily chewed and digested by your cats.
- It is available in flavor that boosts your cat’s appetite.
Cons
- It has grains listed on its ingredients.
- There are cats that don’t like the texture of it.
Last on our list is the Purina Pro Plan Dental Crunch Cat Snack that has been formulated with natural chicken and liver flavors to easily boost the appetite of your cats and give them the right level of nutrients they need. It helps in reducing the tartar buildup and in the maintenance of the overall health of your cat’s mouth.
It has a crunchy texture that lets your cats digest it easily and eventually help them in cleaning their teeth and aids in faster digestion. It has no added artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Make sure that you will only serve this as a treat or a dietary supplement for your cats, and that there will be an available source of fresh water that they can consume all the time.
Pros
- It features natural chicken and liver flavors.
- It helps boost the appetite of your cats.
- It helps reduce tartar buildup and helps maintain fresh breath.
- It has a crunchy texture for easy digestion.
Cons
- Some cats may not like this.
- There are cats that are having a hard time chewing this.
Common Dental Issues of Cats
Just like humans, there are different dental issues that your cats will develop if you are not going to take care of their teeth. It is important for you to be familiar with it, so you would be guided and prepared in case you see any sign of it. Some of the common dental issues that your cats can have are the following:
Periodontal Disease. This disease is characterized by the buildup of plaque on the surface of your cats’ teeth. This can easily cause tooth decay and can further lead to the development of bacterial infections. As what we’ve mentioned earlier, 85% of cats are prone to this condition and if not checked earlier, can badly deteriorate the teeth of your cats.
FGS or Feline Gingivitis Syndrome. If your cats are suffering from periodontal disease, then it is easier for them to develop other conditions such as the Feline Gingivitis Syndrome or FGS. It is a condition that refers to the inflammation of the oral mucous membranes and the gums. This can cause excessive drooling, severe pain, aggressiveness, and depression.
Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORL). Cats age five (5) years and older are prone to this condition. It is a common dental problem that can affect cats of all breeds. This refers to the condition of plaque-caused lesions and when a tooth meets the gums. This is a result of the abnormal immune response in cats that have tissues which are not capable of repairing themselves. This can cause severe damage to the roots and can be really painful.
If you think that your cats are suffering from any of the condition mentioned above, make sure to visit your veterinarian and get the necessary treatment for it.
Why Your Cat Needs Dental Sticks?
Too often, cat owners are disregarding the need for dental treats, until they encounter a big problem. Make sure that you will not sacrifice the health of your cats and get the best cat dental treats as early as now. If you are having second thoughts, then you can consider the following situations:
Foul and Bad Breath. Cat’s breath is always recognized to have a fishy scent, but if your cat has a bad and foul breath that you can’t stand, then it can be an indicator of an oral problem. This can easily be prevented if you will get dental treats that can maintain the health of their teeth and gums.
No Time for Dental Checkup. We need to admit that many of us won’t go to the veterinarian unless there is a clear problem. If you do not have enough time to visit them for a dental checkup, then make sure to get dental treats that can give assurance about the dental health of your cats and start while they are still kittens.
Cats are resistant to cat toothpaste. There are many manufacturers that are formulating toothpaste made for your cats, but some of them, especially the adults can be more resistant. Many cat owners find it hard to brush their cats’ teeth, but dental treats naturally help them to get rid of the tartar or plaque without any drama.
Feeding wet canned food. Most wet canned foods are formulated to have chunks of meat that your cats will love! However, pieces of that meat can easily get stuck in their teeth. If your cats are not fond of having dry cat food, then dental treats can be a great option to help them in removing those meats and let them chew their meals easily.
Overall, cat dental treats are formulated to help clean the teeth of your cats while giving them a reward for their good behavior. It makes it easier to train them and maintain their dental health.
The Round Up
Looking for the best cat dental treats can be overwhelming. While it helps you maintain and clean the teeth of your cats, it is not the only end-all solution available on the market. Not all dental treats can offer the same results to your cats, so you need to choose wisely. Make sure to check all your options, ask for recommendations, and see the comments of other cat owners based on their experience before purchasing a certain product. Lastly, keep your cats’ condition and preferences in mind.
