Our vet recommended putting our cat Nola on Iam’s “Dental Care” dry cat food to help keep her teeth clean. I could be all wrong on this, but I thought I’ve read that Iams is not necessarily the greatest cat food. She’s been eating Natural Choice for a few years and I really think it’s helped to keep her healthy. Unfortunately, they don’t make a dental care formula. Is Iams ok or is there another brand that you would recommend. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Dave B
A question on food for cleaning teeth
Re: A question on food for cleaning teeth
Dave, I would prefer Hill's T/D over Iams....mainly because of the following:
Iams and Eukanuba (same branch) claim they include the "Daily Dental Defense System" into all of their dry cat and dog foods, they don't truly make a food specific for dental care, as does Hill's. The Hill's T/D has alot of extensive research and study into the diet, and in my opinion, it works more specifically than Iams/Eukanuba.
The Iams/Eukanuba site doesn't inform or provide their users with data that can be reviewed in reference to their claims (I only found a simple chart stating that their "daily dental defense" reduced plaque and tarter by 44% or something like that, yet no links to data and research were included)
While I do recommend some Iams for general maintenance foods, kitten foods, and Eukanuba Veterinary Diets, I do feel Hill's is far superior in all the diets they produce, plus they provide their customers extensive information for the asking, and their veterinary support for the veterinary profession is exceptional.
Having said this, not all dental diets serve the purpose for every kitty. If Nola is healthy, her oral health is exceptional, there are no developing problems, then perhaps all that is necessary is to include an optimal diet for her for maintenance, regular oral health exams, whereby your vet can then advise you on dietary measures if they are necessary due to a problem. For example, if Nola has inflammed gums, or evidence of tarter and requires a dental prophy or cleaning, then the procedure can then be followed by a dental diet that will support future oral health care. Other measures can be taken with oral rinses, introducing pet tooth brushing, etc, but these are difficult for owners who are not compliant or don't want to take the time. For this reason, a dry, optimal diet may play a good role in general and preventative oral health care.
If Nola does indeed have a problem with inflammed gums, tarter or excessive plaque build-up, then a dental diet specifically may be warranted. Hill's for example, does formulate the T/D so that it is also suitable as a maintenance diet. Feel free to call their customer service should you have more questions. (links can be found on my Dietary Pages )
Iams and Eukanuba (same branch) claim they include the "Daily Dental Defense System" into all of their dry cat and dog foods, they don't truly make a food specific for dental care, as does Hill's. The Hill's T/D has alot of extensive research and study into the diet, and in my opinion, it works more specifically than Iams/Eukanuba.
The Iams/Eukanuba site doesn't inform or provide their users with data that can be reviewed in reference to their claims (I only found a simple chart stating that their "daily dental defense" reduced plaque and tarter by 44% or something like that, yet no links to data and research were included)
While I do recommend some Iams for general maintenance foods, kitten foods, and Eukanuba Veterinary Diets, I do feel Hill's is far superior in all the diets they produce, plus they provide their customers extensive information for the asking, and their veterinary support for the veterinary profession is exceptional.
Having said this, not all dental diets serve the purpose for every kitty. If Nola is healthy, her oral health is exceptional, there are no developing problems, then perhaps all that is necessary is to include an optimal diet for her for maintenance, regular oral health exams, whereby your vet can then advise you on dietary measures if they are necessary due to a problem. For example, if Nola has inflammed gums, or evidence of tarter and requires a dental prophy or cleaning, then the procedure can then be followed by a dental diet that will support future oral health care. Other measures can be taken with oral rinses, introducing pet tooth brushing, etc, but these are difficult for owners who are not compliant or don't want to take the time. For this reason, a dry, optimal diet may play a good role in general and preventative oral health care.
If Nola does indeed have a problem with inflammed gums, tarter or excessive plaque build-up, then a dental diet specifically may be warranted. Hill's for example, does formulate the T/D so that it is also suitable as a maintenance diet. Feel free to call their customer service should you have more questions. (links can be found on my Dietary Pages )
..........Traci