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Just curious if there is one shape better than the next. Some dry foods are shaped like stars others are shaped like squares. Which shape does the best job cleaning the cat's teeth?
How is any food designed for dental health?Actually, only dental food specifically designed for dental benefits help cats' teeth. Most kibble is too brittle, so it just shatters when they bite it, so it provides no dental benefit - doesn't matter the shape. It has to be either coated with something, or designed for dental health.
There are Greenies dental treats. Back when I fed my cats commercial food, I tried them. My cats didn't like them, but apparently some do.
I'm not completely sold on this kibble being a terrific dental tool. But, if your budget allows, you can try some feline Greenies found here http://www.greenies.com/cats.aspx#/products/cat-dental-careJust curious if there is one shape better than the next. Some dry foods are shaped like stars others are shaped like squares. Which shape does the best job cleaning the cat's teeth?
Yep.Prescription foods, Emily. Hill's t/d for example. Most are crap food, but they have been shown in feeding trials to provide some kind of dental benefit. The coating and the size and the texture of the food supposedly helps.
I never know which part, when I see this. The thin pointy part? Or the part with the larger bone and more meat? Is the skin left on? What about gizzards, or necks as a dental chew?The best thing in my view is a raw chicken wing. Not all cats like them, but Minnie adores them and has one most days. Her teeth are wonderful, and it's scary just what size bone she can break down.
NEVER, EVER give cooked chicken bones - they break into sharp splinters.
I haven't heard of these before. I looked up the website....they are meant to be fed as treats only right? The website doesn't offer a lot of information and their "more info" links are not working.I noticed today when I fed my little beasties larger sizes of their Purebites dehydrated chicken breasts that they were really chewing on them. I'm hoping that will help clean their teeth, since they won't eat Frankenprey yet. But I'm a little concerned with giving them the bigger pieces. Hopefully they won't have any problems and choke on them. I'm always right there when I give them, so guess it should be ok. I used to break them up a little, but figured why not let them have bigger pieces, maybe it would lead them into Frankenprey . and if we get a dental benefit...that would be GREAT
Gizzards are good. :nod: And they're one of my kitties' favorite foods. They LOVE them. I decided to feed boneless frankenprey. I thought there wouldn't be much dental benefit because I'm not feeding bones, and though they do have to rip and tear at the meat, they don't really chew it. But they do kind of chomp on it a couple of times - and I guess all of it together helps. :dk: Spooky and Chum had dentals earlier this year (I only started feeding frankenprey in February), and their teeth are still gleaming. We're taking Chumley in for his annual soon, so we'll have an official report on that. :lol3: I had Sheldon and Billy in for annuals just a few weeks ago (and Flowerbelle in for a follow-up on her blood pressure), and the vet commented on their coats and teeth - because we were wondering what would happen without that bone (she doesn't have any other cats on raw, and has been very interested to keep tabs on everyone :lol3: ).I never know which part, when I see this. The thin pointy part? Or the part with the larger bone and more meat? Is the skin left on? What about gizzards, or necks as a dental chew?
Sally, just based on my experience with the cats' teeth so far, I expect they're getting dental benefit from that chewing. :nod: I'm not familiar with the larger Pure Bites, but the small ones are MUCH crunchier/harder than the Whole Life freeze dried treats. If the big ones are the same as the little ones (That harder texture), then I expect that will really help! :cross:I noticed today when I fed my little beasties larger sizes of their Purebites dehydrated chicken breasts that they were really chewing on them. I'm hoping that will help clean their teeth, since they won't eat Frankenprey yet. But I'm a little concerned with giving them the bigger pieces. Hopefully they won't have any problems and choke on them. I'm always right there when I give them, so guess it should be ok. I used to break them up a little, but figured why not let them have bigger pieces, maybe it would lead them into Frankenprey . and if we get a dental benefit...that would be GREAT