my cats are on a wet diet and suggestions on treats/toys that can help keep teeth clean

[louise1987]

Hi I have two lovely rescue cats who love their food that's they are on at the minute which is wet food, I was advised by the the rescue centre to keep them on a wet diet. I know a wet diet isn't great for keeping their teeth clean so was wondering I anyone has any suggestions on something I can give them to keep their teeth sparkling ?

 

[raintyger]

Those that feed raw give chicken gizzards.

There's a whole TCS article on what members give for dental purposes:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/what-tcs-members-use-cat-dental-health-care

 

[louise1987]

Thank you very much for pointing me in the directiion of that article it was very helpful. I noticed a lot of it could be bought on line at amazon, i can't shop on line as my bank card is cash card only though if needed family members could order on my behalf but does anyone know any of thse things or simlar that can be bought in pet shops like pets at home or any pet shops in n e england

 

[pinkdagger]

Those are just links to where they can be purchased - chances are if you walk into a local pet store, things like Greenies and pet toothpaste will be available too. I'm in Canada, but I've seen a bunch of these products in the pet stores I frequent - the brand names may differ, but you can always ask the staff about the dental hygiene products you see available.

I've been looking around for gizzards lately to help clean my cats' teeth since they don't like being handled for brushing (.. yet!), but apparently gizzards are easy to get from butchers and some markets. Some grocery stores might have them too. And of course, chicken wings are also widely available in grocers.

 

[louise1987]

Hi yeah I think I will ask them about dental hygiene next time I'm in the pet shop which should be soon. I'm going to the super market tonight so I'll look out for some thing there .
Thanks for the advice on gizzards/ chicken wings it might sound silly but I've been a vegetarian for 15 years so I've got no idea about where to get meat and things like that from as I've never bought meat before. Can the meat/ gizzards be eaten raw or would I have to cook them ?

 

[pinkdagger]

Haha, I'm in a similar boat. I still eat meat (though much less - I live with a vegetarian now), but I've never gone to a butcher or looked for a specific cut or anything. The meat can be offered raw to cats though!

 

[vball91]

A wet diet is not any better or worse for dental health than dry food. http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/does-dry-food-clean-the-teeth/

Brushing is the best preventative measure. Barring that, bone in meats and chewy gizzards may help. I don't see much benefit to food and water additives or dental treats.

 

[louise1987]

That's good to know :-) I've been told they get an upset tummy on dry food so good to know the wet food isn't doing any harm to their dental health

 

[raintyger]

Can the meat/ gizzards be eaten raw or would I have to cook them ?

You can give them raw.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7731049_give-cats-chicken-gizzards.html

 

[42cattier]

Well, I like Dr. Lisa Pierson technique, it worked for her. If the brush she refers to is not available locally, I would ask family members to order it. Here nothing even remotely close to this brush available locally. What is available, is too big for cat's mouth.

What doesn't help, from my experience: t/d (prescription dental diet), had cat on it for 1.5 yrs, in addition to wet food, still needs dental surgery (extractions).

Some cats just wouldn't allow manhandling and tryng to get in its mouth. Vetereinarian recommended use gause wrapped around finger, but it depends on size of your finger and size of cat's mouth.

Some cats can eat raw and half-baked chicken wings, others just don't recognize them as a food.

Do your best and good luck! I failed...

 

[anariel]

Check with your local veterinarians about small finger toothbrushes. I am a Vet Tech and I know that Patterson Veterinary Supply sells these really small brushes that work great in cat's mouths...if they let you brush. There are also greenies, CET cat chews, water additives to help keep down plaque and a ton of other products. 

 

[louise1987]

Thanks I'll try the water additives , chews and see if they like te chicken, if they don't I'm sure my dig will enjoy the chicken !! When the cats trust me enough to go near their mouthes I'll see if they will let me use a finger brush or gause. Hopefully that will be soon but don't want to scare them off now they are starting to trust me

 

[crazycatlady40]

I have my cat Banjo on 1/2 a tin of fancy feast kitten in the morning and half at night and he graze on dried food during the day, He on hills science diet kitten for the dried should I increase the wet food which he's really enjoying and give some dried food over night for his teeth? He been on the wet food for about 2 weeks now and I was wondering if increasing the wet food and decreasing the dried food is a good idea. Maybe feeding him wet food three times a day instead of twice. Any advice on this would be appreciated.

 

[raintyger]

 
I have my cat Banjo on 1/2 a tin of fancy feast kitten in the morning and half at night and he graze on dried food during the day, He on hills science diet kitten for the dried should I increase the wet food which he's really enjoying and give some dried food over night for his teeth? He been on the wet food for about 2 weeks now and I was wondering if increasing the wet food and decreasing the dried food is a good idea. Maybe feeding him wet food three times a day instead of twice. Any advice on this would be appreciated.

Dry food does not clean teeth.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/does-dry-food-clean-the-teeth/

Overall, wet food is better for your kitty as it provides hydration and is lower in carbs. This is especially true of Hill's. You are lucky he likes wet food. Many members try to switch and are met with stubborness. Decreasing the dry would be a good idea. Getting rid of it totally would be a better idea.

 

[Anne]

We have our own article on the very same topic - 

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/does-dry-food-actually-clean-your-cats-teeth

Same conclusion as Jackson Galaxy's site, but it's all ours 

 

[crazycatlady40]

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking going down the get rid of line was good idea. Banjo loves his wet food.  When wet food is out he ignores the dry food and this makes me really happy. When I get up in the morning Banjo looks at me with a where's my wet food look on his face. Not sure how much wet food I should be giving him? The fancy feast kitten has give him not problems with the other end. Might start giving him it three times a day. Someone suggested give him a no grain dried food but the only dried food with no grains I can find are for adults.

My 15 year old cat Ka - zar that just recently passed away. Had a blood test for all the senior kitty problem like kidney disease and our vet couldn't believe that at 15 Ka - zar had no signs of kidney disease and he never ate any dried food in his life never had a dental. A mouth tumor got him.

 

[stephanie42]

it always kills me when vets are like 'dry food cleans their teeth'.  it's kind of true for dogs, but not cats.  when we eat apples, we bite through with our front teeth and chew with our molars.  that plus the texture of the apple does help 'clean' our teeth.  watch a dog eat kibble: they chew it.  there is some contact between the food and their teeth, which can help 'clean' the teeth. 

now watch a cat eat kibble.  they bite it MAYBE once and then swallow.  there is no 'chewing' action.  there is no way that gives any abrasiveness or 'cleansing' action on the teeth.

i used to buy c.e.t. enzymatic chews from my vet.  they really helped keep my cat's teeth cleaner and healthier.  many pet stores also sell enzymatic toothpastes; i think these are the best for cats because it's hard to brush their teeth.  also, if you can't find a teensy toothbrush for cats, even wrapping a piece of gauze around your finger tip and 'brushing' your cat's teeth with that can make a big difference.  

 

[luv2cats]

Dry kibble won't do anything for a cat's teeth but dehydrate your kitty.  You eat crackers or other "hard" food does it clean your teeth?  The only way to keep your cats teeth clean is by brushing and regular dental check-up and cleanings when needed at the Vet's office.  Unfortunately, the cat must be put under anesthesia to have their teeth cleaned - don't believe the nonsense about no anesthesia teeth cleaning for pets.  Your vet can show you how to brush your cats teeth.  Good luck