4 Best Dental Cat Treats
Gum disease and tooth decay can become serious and even life-threatening problems if you neglect your pet’s dental care for too long.
Dental treats are a great way to prevent gum disease and tooth decay while keeping your pet’s breath fresh.
You can supplement your cat’s diet with dental treats such as Greenies dental treats or Purina DentaLife treats.
Although dental treats are not a replacement for brushing your cat’s teeth, it’s an easier alternative to use every so often, and they will help prevent plaque buildup and bad breath!
4 Best Cat Dental Treats
If your Maine Coon has bad breath, or if you have recently started wondering how to best care for your cat’s teeth, a great first step is providing dental treats.
Dental treats are specially formulated by veterinarians to reduce the buildup of plaque, which prevents tooth decay or gum diseases like gingivitis.
Here are the veterinary-approved top dental treats you can find for cats:
- Greenies Dental Treats (Best All-Rounder)
- Purina Dentalife Treats (Top Cat Dental Treat)
- Hills Pet Oral Care Cat Food
- Royal Canin Dental Cat Food
Keep reading to learn what makes each of these best cat dental treats AMAZING (source 1):
1. Greenies Dental Treats
While searching for vet-recommended dental treats, you will likely encounter a lot of cat dental product claims that do not make a difference in terms of a cat’s oral health.
Greenies dental treats are some of the best dental care treats for cats. They are vet-recommended.
The hard and crunchy texture of Greenies is proven to reduce tartar buildup, which will prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Learn more about this issue, here.
These feline dental treats come in various flavors, so even the pickiest of cats are sure to find something they like.
You can find Greenies in the following flavors:
- Tempting Tuna
- Roasted Chicken
- Savory Salmon
- Catnip Flavor
Our Maine Coon cats love the tempting tuna dental treats!
You can give your cat eight Greenies treats twice a day. Each Greenies treat contains less than two calories, but you should still take this into account when portioning your cat’s dry and wet food across the day.
Whilst researching cat dental treats for our own Maine Coons, we were surprised to discover that there are few vet-recommended dental treats for cat owners. However, Greenies passes clinical assessments with flying colors!
2. Purina DentaLife Treats
Purina DentaLife cat dental treats are one of the few cat treats to make it onto the approved list of dental treats curated by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.
While many brands claim to provide dental chews for cats, only a few have been proven to reduce the buildup of tartar.
Purina DentaLife treats are made with all-natural ingredients and do not include artificial colors or flavors. They come in salmon and chicken flavors.
The crunchy, porous texture of each treat makes it easy for your cat to bite down, and as the treat scrapes against your cat’s teeth, it also scrapes off tartar. These treats also include taurine and calcium, two ingredients essential to a cat’s diet.
Our tabby Maine Coon enjoys the chicken flavor the most. These cat oral chews are particularly great for him since he had 8 teeth removed before we adopted him, due to Maine Coon teeth issues.
3. Hill’s Pet Oral Care Cat Food
Hill’s Pet Science Diet is already one of the most popular cat food brands, but Hill’s Pet Oral Care dry food is even healthier for your cat! Not only does it reduce the buildup of tartar, but it’s also clinically proven to remove plaque.
This chicken-flavored dry food is made with high-quality protein and includes essential omega-6 fatty acids as well as Vitamin E, both of which promote soft, healthy fur.
Since Hill’s oral care cat food is also officially approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, you can rest assured knowing your cat has been provided with the best possible dry food.
4. Royal Canin Dental Cat Food
Royal Canin dental cat food is one of the few dry foods proven by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to reduce plaque buildup. In fact, after just seven days of using this dry food, studies reported a 41% reduction in plaque buildup.
The size and texture of the kibble are big and crunchy enough that your cat will have to chew rather than swallow, which helps scrape off plaque.
This dry food is made with high-quality protein, primarily chicken.
This diet is not just for helping your cat’s teeth, though. It also contains nutrients to aid in digestion and sensitive skin, and it can transform a dull coat into a soft, shiny, and healthy one!
How Often Should I Give My Cat Dental Treats?
The frequency of giving dental treats to your cat depends on the specific brand and its guidelines. For example, Greenies recommends offering their dental treats to cats twice daily, starting once your cat is at least one year old.
It’s important to note that dental treats are often larger than typical cat treats or kibble, making them a potential choking hazard for younger cats. Always follow the age recommendations provided by the manufacturer.
In contrast, Purina suggests feeding their DentaLife treats to cats just once a day.
While it’s fine to occasionally skip a day, it’s best to provide dental treats consistently to support your cat’s oral health. However, be mindful not to overdo it. Incorporate dental treats into your cat’s overall diet plan, adjusting the portion sizes of dry and wet food accordingly to maintain a balanced diet.
Do Cat Dental Treats Work?
If you’ve been exploring cat dental treats, you might question whether they truly benefit your cat’s oral health.
While many brands make false claims about reducing plaque and tartar, there are a few that have been clinically proven to improve your cat’s dental hygiene.
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is a trusted organization that evaluates and approves products with proven efficacy in promoting oral health for cats and dogs.
Any dental treat, diet, or product bearing the VOHC seal has met their rigorous standards and is scientifically shown to reduce plaque or tartar.
In the wild, cats typically don’t chew much while eating, but fur and feathers from prey act like natural toothbrush bristles, helping to scrape buildup from their teeth. Domesticated cats, however, don’t have this same opportunity.
When eating dry or wet food, most cats tend to swallow pieces whole rather than chew thoroughly.
Dental treats are specially designed to address this gap. Their larger size and shape encourage cats to chew rather than swallow, while their porous texture helps scrub teeth like a toothbrush, removing film and buildup.
These treats can play a significant role in maintaining your cat’s oral health (Source: VOHC).
Are Dental Treats Enough For Cats?
Dental treats are an excellent starting point for maintaining your cat’s oral health. However, they should not be considered a replacement for regular brushing. Brushing remains the most effective way to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Dental problems are among the most common reasons for veterinary visits. If left untreated, periodontal disease can progress to dangerous and even life-threatening stages.
Even if tooth removal is performed before the infection spreads, the procedure is both painful and stressful for your cat. It is also a costly process for pet owners, making prevention essential.
If your cat refuses to tolerate teeth brushing, don’t worry—this is a common issue, especially for cats not introduced to brushing at a young age.
Fortunately, your veterinarian can recommend alternative solutions, such as dental gels. These gels are quick to apply, less stressful for your cat, and still contribute to improved oral health.
Whenever possible, brushing your cat’s teeth daily in combination with providing dental treats is the best approach to maintaining optimal dental health.
