Science Diet Oral Care dry food

[Cleo]

Hi ... does anyone use this or have an opinion on it? While I try to be routine as possible with brushing my girls' teeth, we all know this is easier said than done. I am considering trying this. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Cleo

[Mona]

I have not tried it, but I really think brushing is the only way to go. I am starting to brush my kittens teeth now, and I try for twice a week on both cats.

Mona

[Cleo]

Hi Mona,

I started out making brushing a routine and do it every day. Maybe I'm doing it too much for their liking. Some days they both take to it fine, other days if they could, they'd take me out by the jugular! In fact this morning was one of those days when it came time for their vitamins. Right now they are both bent out of shape and leave a room when I enter it. Gotta wonder, is it a "girl" thing, a "kitty" thing or just one of those days!

I wonder if they realize the days I'm in a mad rush to get out the door but still take time to brush their teeth and their coats, leaving the house without even brushing mine!!

Cleo

[Tracey]

My kitty (now 15) had to have her teeth cleaned around age 2 (gums so inflamed she quit eating), and we thought.....uh oh, a long road ahead for her dental health. But, I'm happy to say we haven't done it since! There were times the annual visit revealed red gums, but after we discovered Pounce tartar-control treats, the gums have looked healthy. Casey was just at the Vet school yesterday (cancer scare), and when the vet student commented on her gums, I told her it must be the tartar control treats. She replied that the Science diet tartar control food worked good too. So, if you find you can't brush their teeth (I know we never could), you might want to try the food or at least the treats. Good luck!
Tracey

[Guest]

Wow, how do you keep your cat still enough to brush its teeth? I hold Maisey's head still long to give her cat lax to her and she goes crazy! She'll jerk her head around making it almost impossible. I might try those Pounce treats.

[Traci]

Cleo, personally I would only recommend the diet for owners who cannot or will not brush their cats' teeth. The diet is geared for owner convenience as well in that respect, many owners are not diligent about brusing their kitty's teeth, so the diet is a helpful preventative measure.

Tracey has a good idea too, with the Pounce tarter control treats. I think if they are given on a regular basis, this could help somewhat, but I think it generally depends on the cat, physiology and likelihood of developing peridontal disease.

Bottom line, during annual exams, listen to your vet when or if he tells you red or inflammed gums are concerning, loose or diseased teeth, etc. Oral rinses and even pet "finger brushes" for the teeth are also good preventative measures you can talk to your vet about. (the finger brushes are simply little 'mits' you can place on end of your finger, brush teeth and also massages the gums, some cats don't mind this as much as a pet tooth brush)

[Mona]

Yes brushing can help. I am thinking of buying those wipes for teeth that are satured with a cleaner for my kitten, since her mouth is so small for a brush. Her teeth are almost all in now. She will be 6 months on October 20th, and it is time to start thinking about her oral health as well.

My 5 year old female lets us brush her teeth, but I admit it is difficult to get her mouth open enough to get the back teeth. My vet said her teeth are ok, so I feel good about the fact that I do brush and use a rinse called Nolvadent regularly.

Bottom line probably in the future a dental cleaning will be recommended, but if I can prolong it by brushing I will continue.

Mona, Chloe and Honeybun