Trout Gingivitis - need food advice

Hiya!

So, I knew that Trout had some tartar build up but at the vet today she showed me and it looked really sore

She gave me a free bag of Hills T/D as they have a promo going on.

When I look at the ingredients on the food, it doesn't look very high quality though. I feed Trout Fromme dry now and it makes her look so healthy.

The vet said I could mix the two foods if I want, but then I wonder if it won't help the teeth as much?

Basically I am not sure if I should feed the T/D by itself? or should I mix with the Fromme?

I want her gingivitis to go away but at the same time I want her to have healthy shiny fur too!

Anyone have experiences with this type of dilemma?

If the vet okay-ed mixing then do that.. T/D s ingredients like 95% of all RXes do not look good but they have a Lot of science and studies behind it ( ie studies done by an independent 3 and sometimes 4th party).. Mixing TD with other food is rather a common practice, others use the TD as a treat ...Very few use it as sole food... Did your vet discuss brushing teeth or a enzyme for the food or water?

I mix Royal Canin Oral in with their normal kibbles

Originally Posted by sharky

If the vet okay-ed mixing then do that.. T/D s ingredients like 95% of all RXes do not look good but they have a Lot of science and studies behind it ( ie studies done by an independent 3 and sometimes 4th party).. Mixing TD with other food is rather a common practice, others use the TD as a treat ...Very few use it as sole food... Did your vet discuss brushing teeth or a enzyme for the food or water?

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Yeah she discussed brushing teeth, but she knows that it's hard to do with cats.

I do have that max gel or whatever it's called, she said I can use that every day as well.

Sadly no food is really going to offer much teeth scrubbing, other than home made raw diets, but this requires a lot of careful research before attempting it and the cat needs to start out with healthy gums/teeth or they will have a hard time eating it. I wouldn't recommend putting a cat with already-sore gums on this kind of diet.

But yeah, no kibble is going to really keep their teeth clean. It's about as effective as trying to brush your own teeth with crackers. Actual brushing with a pets-specific toothpaste (and/or regular dental appointments) is the best way to keep their teeth clean, but sadly this can be difficult with some cats.

I have never personally used any gels, water/food supplements, or special diets to treat gingivitis so I can't advise you there, but I have heard other people who've had great success with one of the gels. Sadly I forget the name at the moment, but they may be worth looking into.

Originally Posted by Trouts mom

Yeah she discussed brushing teeth, but she knows that it's hard to do with cats.

I do have that max gel or whatever it's called, she said I can use that every day as well.

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If the gel is by C E T or Viralbasis( spelling ??) these are CLINICALLY proven... As for toothpaste you only have to get it in the mouth , ie enzymes to the work and brushing is unnecessary ... I personally use a hard to find couple of enzyme dental supplements that so far have reversed this very issue... I do not know if you would find them by you...

Originally Posted by sharky

If the gel is by C E T or Viralbasis( spelling ??) these are CLINICALLY proven... As for toothpaste you only have to get it in the mouth , ie enzymes to the work and brushing is unnecessary ... I personally use a hard to find couple of enzyme dental supplements that so far have reversed this very issue... I do not know if you would find them by you...

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That's the stuff I have, but I haven't used it in a while and it is expired now. I may get more for her.

Biotene Veterinary makes an antiseptic gel and then a maintenance gel that really help with plaque and gingival inflammation.

I get them from Entirelypets.com

Would you be able to rub this stuff on Trout's teeth and gums 2x/day? That is how it works. And they make a water additive and "mouthwash" too. I use the additive. And the gels when I can get the cats to cooperate. At least you only have ONE to deal with.

I have also used PlaqueOff with success. It is a powder that gets sprinkled into the food. It is made from seaweed and has trace amounts of iodine in it and is contra-indicated for cats with hyperthyroid. But if Trouty has a clean bill of health, it may help. It really really helped Archie who was in early stages of periodontal disease. Six months between diagnosis and check up... and the vet was amazed.

Be careful with some of the water additives, etc. Many of them have alcohol in them.... and xylitol. I am not sure that the latter is toxic to cats, it IS toxic for dogs.

The vet gave us a free bag of T/D food so I think I'm going to supplement her Fromme with it for now.

We are going back in 6 months for a checkup, and if it has not improved, I might do the gum rub thing. It sucks that my bottle expired or I would start it now.

I really want to avoid a teeth cleaning if I can. Poor Trout!

Originally Posted by Trouts mom

That's the stuff I have, but I haven't used it in a while and it is expired now. I may get more for her.

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It likely will still work. Try it.

Lots of vibes for Trout!!!

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

It likely will still work. Try it.

Lots of vibes for Trout!!!

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It expired a year ago...you don't think it can harm her?

Originally Posted by Trouts mom

It expired a year ago...you don't think it can harm her?

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I would call the vet.... Many things are good well past but others either loose potency or increase in potency...