My friend recently had to have her 9mth old kitty's teeth cleaned which the vet attributed to her being fed wet food, and said dry is much better for them- have you heard this before?
2006-12-24 06:40:58 · 40 answers · asked by emily_jane2379 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
YES! I used to work as a vet tech, and it is fact that wet food is bad for teeth! Dry food helps scrape plaque off of the teeth. Everytime the dog eats, the kibble rubs against their teeth and helps to clean them. Just as eating fresh veggies, apples, that sort of thing helps to clean our teeth. I have seen sooo many pets with gum disease and tooth loss because they have been fed too much wet food. If you feel you must give wet food, only do so as an occasional treat. :-)
2006-12-24 07:00:13 · answer #1 · answered by PennyPickles17 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes dry food creates less buildup around the gums and teeth and sometimes acts like a cleaning agent when they chew. Wet food, on the other hand, seems to go straight for the teeth and continues to build up until their teeth can be cleaned (which will need to be done much more often if you feed wet food). It's for that reason that vets suggest that certain breeds of cat (e.g. persians, exotics, etc.) are not fed wet food because they already have a problem with excess buildup because of the shape of their mouths.
2006-12-24 07:54:41 · answer #2 · answered by oh_shotdown 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is always this debate in cat food. There are benefits to both. Dry food is by far better for their teeth, the chewing helps keep their teeth clean. Wet food can be good for a number of reasons, primarily to add more moisture to a cats diet. Cats with kidney and urinary tract infections tend to do much better on wet food than dry. The only drawback with wet food is these cats often need more frequent dental cleanings. I feed my cats dry food in the morning and wet food at night, trying to get the both of best worlds. I also give them cat greenies and tartar control treats to help keep their mouths clean. They don't like having their teeth brushed (with cat toothpaste) although my friend trained her cat as a kitten and brushes her teeth frequently.
2006-12-24 12:40:22 · answer #3 · answered by jungles_fury 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I have. I work at a vets and this is what they said-
Dry food generally has a higher nutritional value ( a lot of wet food is water). The buiscuit are almost a lways a complete food and needn't be supplemented. Its normal for you cat to turn it's nose up at first but you can wean them onto9 buiscuits by mixing them with the wet food.
The buiscuits are also, as you said, much better for the teeth. They help to scrape off plaque. If you are worried about you cats teeth you can get a perscribed diet that has extra large kibble so that the cat is forced to crunch them up and hence clean its teeth.
Hope this helps!
2006-12-24 07:52:56 · answer #4 · answered by Moi? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Vets recommend dry food for several different reasons for cats rather then wet food. The first one is now there are types of dry cat food in supermarkets that will actually help keep tartar from building up on your cat's teeth which may be the first reason your friend's vet recommended dry food. Secondly, dry food is typically easier on a cat's stomach and "most" wet foods don't offer the proper nutrition that is put into dry food. Also, dry food comes in different 'formulas'. (i.e. - I feed my cat Cat Chow Indoor Formula since it will help with any (possible) future weight problems as well as she still gets the proper nutrients she would get if she were an outdoor cat.)
2006-12-24 06:45:39 · answer #5 · answered by Lhynne 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've heard that dry food was better but I also heard the contrary. I feed mine both (but not at the same meal). I think a bit of dry food is good as it makes them chew properly and wet food is also good to ensure that they get some moisture. Your friend have to see what's best for her own cat according to its personal needs.
In any case, if you are going to introduce dry food, make sure she does it slowly ie she should start with replacing only 10% of the wet food for a few days, then 20% for the next few days etc...
2006-12-24 21:26:26 · answer #6 · answered by Jess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wet cat food is just mush. It's not like a real kill, becuase that would involve muscle and bone the cat could tear up with their teeth and clean(through the friction). This is why wet cat food mush is not healthy for cat teeth, the hard food causes the cat to actually chew and the teeth naturally get scraped. Wet catfood should only be given as a treat.
2006-12-24 07:00:58 · answer #7 · answered by MindyCindyLindy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dry Food Is Much Better .Once In Awhile I Give My Cat A Little Tuna Fish For A Treat.
2006-12-24 06:57:46 · answer #8 · answered by mks 7-15-02 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For an entirely different opinion from a veterinarian go to: www.littlebigcat.com and read Dr. Jean Hovfe's articles titled, "Does Dry Food Clean the Teeth?" and "Why Cats Need Canned Food".
Neither canned nor dry food solves tooth problems in cats who naturally keep their teeth clean from chewing on raw meat and stripping it from the bone. Dental problems are also genetically related - some cats have no need for teeth cleaning, others may need it once a year.
2006-12-24 07:33:39 · answer #9 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know a vet tech & a student in veterinary school, and both fed their own cats dry cat food.
I've heard dry food is better because they chew more, and the saliva helps clean their teeth. Also, the dry food does not "stick" to their teeth.
When I first got my kitten, I tried feeding it wet food also. Then, I tried dry food, and he loves it.
2006-12-24 07:08:51 · answer #10 · answered by JSP 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋