Moore holds a veterinary degree from University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. As medical director of Pinnacle Animal Hospital, she specializes in soft tissue surgery and internal medicine. We interviewed Moore via phone on March 23, 2020. Pinnacle Animal Hospital was not owned by VCA Inc., a division of Mars Petcare, at the time of our interview. Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste : The poultry-flavored Virbac C.E.T. toothpaste was a hit with my cats and the price is right. However, as Snyder told us, without a VOHC seal, there's no way to know for sure. Out of the three toothbrushes I tested, I found that the Virbac C.E.T. was indeed the easiest toothbrush to use on my cats' teeth. While the Virbac brush had roughly the same size head as the others (approximately 0.5 inches by 0.25 inches), at 6.25 inches in length, it was the shortest of those I considered. That shorter handle made the toothbrush easier and less awkward to maneuver, while still keeping my fingers safely away from my cats' teeth. Pros: VOHC-accepted, can be used on a toothbrush or spread by finger, contains minerals to boost tooth enamel, human-grade, free of BPAs and parabens Hill's Prescription Diet t/d Dental Care Food: Like Royal Canin's dental diet, my cats liked the taste of this VOHC-accepted kibble. But also like Royal Canin's dental diet, it is pricey, there is no good resource that confirms how many should be fed daily, and the large, hard pieces were challenging for my cat to eat after having a few teeth removed.

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Wailani Sung, director of behavior and welfare programs, San Francisco SPCA , San Francisco, California Best dental water additive for cats: Pet::Essential Healthymouth Water Additive - See at Healthymouth Oxyfresh Pet Toothpaste: I love that this toothpaste is cruelty-free, but with no scent or flavor, my cats showed zero interest in it. It is also not VOHC-accepted. Pet::Essential Healthymouth Water Additive is the only VOHC-accepted option for cats. The formula includes papain, which is an enzyme extracted from papaya fruit; antioxidant and anti-microbial cinnamon; cleansing chlorophyll; and antibacterial pomegranate. Two clinical trials conducted in 2010 indicated that this dental additive reduced plaque by more than 85% when mixed with fresh water daily.For this guide to the best dental products for cats, we consulted three veterinarians, one of them a board-certified veterinary dentist, and tested 18 kinds of toothpaste, toothbrushes, water additives, and dental treats. We also looked to the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), an organization that governs and certifies pet dental products, and the dental care guidelines established by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). You can read more about our methodology at the end of this guide.

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Feline Greenies have been shown to reduce tartar. They contain vitamins and minerals like calcium carbonate and zinc oxide and have a crunchy texture that helps scrub teeth and gums as a cat eats. Greenies can be given to cats who are 1 year or older. For greatest efficacy, the company recommends feeding a 10-pound cat eight treats twice a day. Although each treat is only 2 calories, they add up to around 15% of the calories a 10-pound cat requires in a day. To prevent them from gaining weight, you'll have to reduce the amount of cat food you feed them daily. Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. • Zymox Oratene Brushless Enzymatic Oral Care Dental Gel: My cats liked the flavor of this dental gel and its enzymes should help prevent the buildup of bacteria and remove plaque. The manufacturer also advertises that their formula is extra-gentle, protecting mouth tissue against dryness — though I was unable to confirm this in my own testing. The product, however, has not undergone the process to earn a VOHC seal. The best defense against dental problems is preventing them from starting in the first place with daily at-home oral care. Brushing a cat's teeth daily helps prevent plaque, tartar, and the development of periodontal disease. Water additives and dental treats can also promote the dental health of cats who can't tolerate brushing. Petsmile Toothpaste is hypoallergenic and contains calcium, magnesium, and phosphates, minerals that help to boost the strength of tooth enamel. It also contains potassium hydroxide, which neutralizes acidity to prevent tooth decay, and germ-fighting cetylpyridinium chloride. The formula is human-grade and free of BPAs, silica, sulfates, and parabens.Jarvis B., et al. " Effectiveness of Palatable Dental Bites Developed for Cats to Prevent Plaque and Calculus Accumulation," EC Dental Science, 19.8 (2020): 204-210. Moore recommends brushing your cat's teeth daily with an enzymatic toothpaste and, if possible, introducing them to the practice while they are still young. "It's important to start as a kitten because kittens are more accepting," she said. If your cat won't tolerate a toothbrush, try smearing the paste or gel on their teeth and gum line with your finger. Toothpaste or gel: Toothpaste or gel is the most important product in the feline oral health arsenal. When applied daily by toothbrush or spread on the teeth and gums by finger, toothpastes and gels can help prevent the buildup of biofilm and plaque that leads to periodontal disease. Christopher Snyder, DVM, clinical associate professor and founding fellow, AVDC oral and maxillofacial surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine , Madison, Wisconsin Tooth resorption: In tooth resorption, dentin, which is the hard tissue beneath the tooth enamel, begins to erode. Over time, the lesion that forms in the dentin can spread to other parts of the tooth, causing it to be painfully destroyed. Veterinary dentists aren't entirely sure what causes feline tooth resorption, but they do know it's been going on for thousands of years. There's even evidence of the condition in mummified cats uncovered in ancient Egypt, according to Snyder. Cats experiencing tooth resorption require either full extraction of the tooth or amputation of the tooth's visible crown.

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Snyder told us that anesthesia-free dental cleaning has not been shown to be as effective or safe as an anesthetized veterinary dental cleaning. There are several major problems with the practice. Anesthesia-free cleanings are not typically performed by veterinary professionals and target only the exposed crown of the tooth, not the section beneath the gum line where problems usually develop. Because a cat remains awake during the procedure, x-rays cannot be taken and an anesthetized cat runs the risk of choking on loosened plaque or calculus. There is also a risk of accidentally cutting the gums with the sharp instruments that are used. Snyder also told us that cats who have distressing anesthesia-free cleanings may be less likely to tolerate tooth-brushing in the future. There is no consensus among veterinarians about whether a diet made up primarily of wet food has a more negative impact on a cat's dental health than a dry food diet. While cats who chew their kibble may successfully break up some plaque, many cats actually swallow their kibble whole the same way they do wet food. "If you ask 10 veterinary dentists [which diet is better], you'll get four different answers," Snyder said. Pet:Essential Healthymouth Water Additive cleans teeth with bacteria-inhibiting enzymes and comes in more than two dozen flavors.Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Good oral care is essential to a cat's overall health. Without it, bacteria multiply in a cat's mouth to form tooth plaque. Over time, plaque triggers gingivitis and eventually periodontal disease, a painful condition that can have serious impacts on a cat's behavior. Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Introducing a cat to tooth-brushing takes time and patience, particularly if the cat is an adult versus a more malleable and tolerant kitten. Although there are relatively few common dental problems that affect cats, those that do can be extremely painful, especially if left untreated.