24 Apr The Best Diets for Your Cat’s Dental Health
Good dental health is essential for your cat’s overall well-being. Poor oral hygiene can lead to plaque buildup, periodontal disease, and even more serious health conditions affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys. While regular dental care and vet checkups are important, the right diet can play a significant role in helping to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
It needs to be emphasized that dental health diets for cats are adjunctive and not comprehensive treatments for dental disease. You still need to have your cat evaluated at least annually by your veterinarian, who will perform a comprehensive dental cleaning and evaluation under anesthesia.
1. Dry Food (Kibble) Formulated for Dental Health
Some dry cat foods are specially designed to help clean teeth while chewing. These kibbles are larger and have a specific texture that encourages cats to bite through the pieces, which helps scrape away plaque and tartar. Many veterinary dental diets also contain ingredients that inhibit certain minerals from forming calculus on the crown of a tooth. This will then decrease the amount of plaque and bacteria on the tooth’s surface.
What to Look For:
- Large kibble size to encourage chewing
- Enzymatic coatings that help break down plaque
- Veterinary-approved dental formulas (such as those with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal)
2. Wet Food with Dental Benefits
While wet food is often associated with less dental cleaning action than kibble, it still plays an essential role in oral health. Cats that eat only dry food may not get enough moisture, which can lead to dehydration and less saliva production—saliva naturally helps control bacteria in the mouth.
Some wet food formulas contain ingredients that help reduce tartar buildup. We should remember that cats’ teeth are made for shearing meat (eating mice!) and not necessarily eating kibble, though kibble is not harmful to their teeth and overall dental health.
3. Raw Diets and Raw Meaty Bones
Some cat owners opt for raw diets that include raw meaty bones, such as chicken necks or wings, to provide natural teeth-cleaning benefits. The mechanical action of chewing raw bones can help reduce plaque and tartar. However, raw feeding should be approached with caution and under veterinary supervision to ensure a balanced diet and prevent risks associated with bacteria or bone fragments. Again, never feed your cat a raw diet without consulting with your veterinarian.
4. Dental Treats and Supplements
Dental treats specifically designed for cats can complement their diet and support oral hygiene. Many of these treats contain ingredients that help prevent plaque formation and freshen breath. Additionally, oral health supplements such as water additives, dental gels, and powdered supplements can be mixed into food to promote cleaner teeth.
What to Look For:
- VOHC-approved dental treats
- Ingredients like chlorhexidine or zinc to help reduce bacteria
- Low-calorie options to avoid unnecessary weight gain
5. Homemade Diets with Dental Benefits
Some pet owners choose to prepare homemade meals tailored to their cat’s needs. While this can be beneficial when done correctly, it requires careful planning to ensure all essential nutrients are included. Some homemade diets incorporate fibrous meats or other ingredients that naturally promote dental health. Always consult with your veterinarian prior to feeding your cat a homemade diet.
What to Consider:
- Consult a veterinarian or pet nutritionist before switching to a homemade diet
- Include ingredients that naturally clean teeth, such as fibrous cuts of meat
- Avoid ingredients that contribute to dental plaque, such as excess starches or sugars
Final Tips for Maintaining Your Cat’s Dental Health
While diet plays a major role in dental health, it should be combined with other preventive care methods, such as:
- Regular brushing: Use a cat-safe toothbrush and toothpaste to remove plaque. This is a challenge. Frankly, most cats do not allow their teeth to be brushed. To be successful it is best to start when they are young so that they can become use to having their mouths handled along with the taste and texture of the toothpaste.
- Routine veterinary checkups: Professional cleanings help prevent severe dental disease.
- Encouraging chewing: Providing dental-friendly toys or treats can aid in oral hygiene.
Cat Dental Cleanings in Colorado Springs
It should be stressed that dental health diets, treats and water additives for cats will never remove the need for regular dental care by your veterinarian. This involves at least annual oral evaluations, but ideally every 6 months. These evaluations are almost always combined with complete dental examinations, full mouth dental radiographs and dental cleanings under anesthesia. This should be done at least annually, but some cats require dental cleanings under anesthesia twice a year. Contact us to schedule your cat’s next dental appointment today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (04/24/2025) Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak on Unsplash
