Wet food/dry food & tooth decay-how to explain to others?

This is a reply posted to me on another forum.

Hey, keep in mind that wet food can increase tooth decay. The dry food helps clean the teeth and dental heath is very important in cats. If you want to brush their teeth daily, then by all means try, but I suggest you start when they are very very young. Best to give them a good dry food, plenty of water, and then fresh raw meat as a treat. They love chicken and salmon. Wet foods long term should be a last resort for picky eaters.

What can I tell this person about all this?

I said: cats don't chew their food, so dry food does nothing to help prevent plaque build-up. Wet food doesn't cause plaque build-up. Should I be changing that last sentence to "...anymore than dry does"?? I also mentioned that some say foods such as Science Diet(not a good food, IMO) Oral care help with plaque build-up & others say it doesn't help.

I didn't like the comment about wet foods being a last resort for picky eaters. IMO, wet food should be part of a daily diet.

I remember reading things about this, but whenever I try to compose a post of my own, I come off sounding like "you're stupid & wrong". I want to be sure I don't sound like that, I would like to try to offer information. (Feel free to point out if I sound like I'm saying you're stupid-I won't take offense! )

I think the best way to add weight to what you're saying is to post links such as the one below, while pointing out that most dry kibble (excepting prescription dental diets) is too small to have any effect on the gums where most dental diseases form.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.ph...dcleantheteeth

It's harder for people to say you're wrong when you can prove that at least one other, qualified person agrees with you!

It's also worth pointing out the benefits of wet food in providing moisture to keep the urine dilute and so reducing the probablity of crystals forming.

Originally Posted by urbantigers

I think the best way to add weight to what you're saying is to post links such as the one below, while pointing out that most dry kibble (excepting prescription dental diets) is too small to have any effect on the gums where most dental diseases form.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.ph...dcleantheteeth

It's harder for people to say you're wrong when you can prove that at least one other, qualified person agrees with you!

It's also worth pointing out the benefits of wet food in providing moisture to keep the urine dilute and so reducing the probablity of crystals forming.

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Exactly what I was going to post!

I also like the analogy of crunching pretzels - if anyone insists on dry food being good for the teeth, ask them if they think crunching pretzels is good for their teeth! If they say no, ask them why they think cats crunching dry food is any different.

The other thing I would add is that cavities and tooth decay are caused by bacteria that break down sugars, which form acid that erodes the teeth. Dry food is primarily carbohydrates which break down into sugars. Wet foods are composed of more meat and far fewer carbohydrates, so dry foods are more likely to contribute to tooth decay.

Originally Posted by urbantigers

I think the best way to add weight to what you're saying is to post links such as the one below, while pointing out that most dry kibble (excepting prescription dental diets) is too small to have any effect on the gums where most dental diseases form.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.ph...dcleantheteeth

It's harder for people to say you're wrong when you can prove that at least one other, qualified person agrees with you!

It's also worth pointing out the benefits of wet food in providing moisture to keep the urine dilute and so reducing the probablity of crystals forming.

Click to expand...

Glad to see that this link was already provided for you! This is a great link, you've really gotta go there! Also, the same website has another page http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.ph...needcannedfood
explains why canned meat is better than dry. This article says that even a lower grade canned is better than dry - someone correct me if I misunderstood the info, please - just going on memory .

Gloria

I think the best way to add weight to what you're saying is to post links such as the one below, while pointing out that most dry kibble (excepting prescription dental diets) is too small to have any effect on the gums where most dental diseases form.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.ph...dcleantheteeth

It's harder for people to say you're wrong when you can prove that at least one other, qualified person agrees with you!

It's also worth pointing out the benefits of wet food in providing moisture to keep the urine dilute and so reducing the probablity of crystals forming.

Click to expand...

Totally agreed. I would definitley inform about the benefits of feeding wet wet food. Less carbs, less likely to be overweight since you can't free feed, more hydration since cats aren't good about drinking water always, diluted urine, less risk of urinary blockage and less risk of crystal formation.

This is the article I always refer folks to, it's vet written which sometimes gets folks to believe it ;-)

http://home.ivillage.com/pets/cats/0...=adid=15884520

Hey I gotta ask, does this go for dogs too or just cats?

Originally Posted by Jen

Hey I gotta ask, does this go for dogs too or just cats?

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50/50 ... many dog s do chew .. This is due to a dog be an ominvore with carnivorus tendencys ...How effective dry is , I dont think very since many small dogs have issues and mine doesnt and she eats raw ,