As cat owners, we all want the best for our feline companions - and that includes supporting their dental health. Poor dental health in cats can lead to a range of issues, from bad breath to painful infections, so it's important that we are mindful of how our choice of treats and other diet components might be impacting our cats' teeth and gums.
One key consideration in supporting feline dental health is texture. Cats need a variety of textures in their diet to help clean teeth and massage gums. When making homemade treats, pay close attention to the crunchiness or softness of the treats you are preparing. Both crunchy and soft treats can play a role in feline dental health when used responsibly.
Understanding Feline Dental Health
To understand how crunchy and soft treats influence oral health, we first need to understand the basic structures involved. A cat's mouth contains 30 adult teeth including incisors, canines, premolars and molars. Each type of tooth serves a specific purpose from nipping and biting to chewing and grinding. These teeth are set in sockets in the jawbone and covered by gums.
Like our own teeth, a cat's teeth are vulnerable to issues like tartar buildup, plaque, gum disease, cavities and tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth create a sticky film on the teeth called plaque. When plaque hardens, it becomes tartar which can cause serious dental disease. Gum disease develops when inflammation and infections occur in gum tissue surrounding the teeth. This can progress to loose teeth, receding gums and tooth loss.
Diet is the number one factor influencing feline dental health. Crunchy homemade treats help scrape off plaque and tartar. Chewy and soft foods get into crevices and provide soothing gum stimulation. Unfortunately, many commercial cat foods are carbohydrate-heavy and promote plaque bacteria. That’s why homemade food and treats are ideal for supporting dental health.
The Science of Texture - Crunchy Treats
Crunchy treats offer mechanical cleaning for a cat's teeth. The abrasive texture acts like a toothbrush, helping to disrupt and remove plaque before it hardens into tartar. This helps reduce inflammation and the progression of dental disease.
Crunchy treats contain higher levels of carbohydrates than canned or homemade cat food. As cats chew on these treats, the crunchy pieces break off and get lodged in crevices along the gumline helping to scrape away built-up plaque and tartar. Cats have to chew more to break down the crunchy pieces, which provides that beneficial scrubbing motion.
Some examples of crunchy ingredient options include:
- Dried meats - Beef, chicken, turkey, duck all get nice and crunchy when dried into jerky-like treats. Ensure meats are dried thoroughly to avoid spoilage.
- Vegetables - Carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans can be roasted until crunchy.
- Fruit - Apples and bananas can be dried or dehydrated for crunch.
- Whole grains - Oats, quinoa, millet baked into biscuits or bars. Avoid refined flours.
- Nuts - Almonds, walnuts, pecans finely ground and baked into crunchy treats.
- Seeds - Flax, chia and hemp seeds add great crunch. Grind them first to prevent choking.
- Crustaceans - Dried shrimp, crawfish or crab shells provide crunch with glucosamine benefits.
The mechanical cleaning effect of crunchy treats makes them helpful additions to a cat's diet. However, some precautions are warranted. Crunchy treats should not make up a large percentage of your cat's diet. Overdoing crunchy treats runs the risk of breaking teeth or damaging gums over time. And carbohydrate-heavy crunchy treats could contribute to plaque buildup.
Moderating the amount of crunchy treats, monitoring your cat's chewing habits, and providing a balanced homemade diet complete with raw meaty bones helps mitigate risks. Work with your veterinarian to determine appropriate crunchy treat levels for your cat based on age, dental health status, and other individual factors.
The Science of Texture - Soft Treats
In contrast to crunchy treats, soft treats possess a smooth, malleable, moist texture. Their softness makes them easy to chew and swallow. So at first glance, it may seem like soft treats wouldn't provide much dental benefit. But they offer advantages of their own.
Soft foods help mechanically clean by getting into hard-to-reach nooks where crunchy foods can't reach. As your cat chews, soft foods spread across the teeth and along the gumline, helping dislodge debris. Soft foods also stimulate the gums and increase saliva production. Saliva contains compounds that help neutralize plaque acids and bacteria.
Some examples of ingredients to include in soft treats:
- Canned fish - Salmon, sardines and mackerel are soft enough when mashed.
- Baby food - Meat-based varieties are soft in texture. Always read labels.
- Cooked eggs - Scrambled eggs are an ideal soft texture.
- Cottage cheese - Low-fat varieties work well.
- Pureed veggies - Cooked pumpkin, sweet potato or cauliflower puree smooth.
- Baby cereal - Meat-flavored varieties can be rehydrated into a soft paste.
- Yogurt - Plain, unsweetened yogurt provides probiotics too.
- Pureed fruits - Apple sauce, bananas, blueberries with no added sugar.
While soft treats provide dental stimulation, their sticky texture also carries some risks. Without sufficient chewing, soft foods can get lodged in teeth crevices leading to accelerated tartar buildup. Sugary soft treats promote cavities and gum disease. And soft foods don't provide the deep scrubbing crunchy foods can.
That's why balance is key. Limit soft treats in frequency and quantity. Avoid sugary additions. Incorporate some mealtime dental chewing opportunities by feeding larger chunks of meat on the bone. And follow up soft treats with crunchy fruits and veggies to help clear away any stuck-on remnants. Using both soft and crunchy treats as part of a balanced homemade diet optimizes dental benefits for cats.
Homemade Cat Treat Recipes
Now that we understand the dental pros and cons of crunchy and soft treats, let's discuss how to put this knowledge into action through homemade treats.
There are several benefits to opting for homemade:
- Control over ingredients - You can avoid unhealthy additives and choose ingredients designed to support your cat's needs.
- Texture customization - Mix and match textures within one recipe or across a variety of recipes.
- Portion control - Make treats in small batches and sizes to easily monitor your cat’s intake.
- Economical - Basic ingredients like baby food meats, eggs, and flours are budget-friendly.
- Safety - Heat and preparation methods reduce risks associated with raw meat.
- Picky eaters - Cater to your cat's preferences by adjusting flavors and textures.
Following are one easy recipe for crunchy treats and one for soft treats that your cat is sure to love. Always closely supervise your cat when feeding any treat or new food. And check with your veterinarian before introducing new foods, especially for cats with allergies or other health conditions.
Crunchy Tuna Bake Cat Treats
Ingredients:
5 ounces canned tuna in water, drained
1 egg
1⁄4 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
1⁄2 teaspoon catnip (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix together tuna, egg, flour and olive oil until a thick dough forms. Add catnip if desired.
Place dough on a baking sheet in small mounds about 1 tablespoon each. Use a fork to flatten into disc shapes.
Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned and crunchy. Cool completely before serving.
Store uneaten treats in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
These crunchy, protein-packed treats provide teeth cleaning and healthy nutrition!
Soft Salmon Cat Treats
Ingredients:
1 (3 ounce) can salmon, drained
1⁄4 cup plain yogurt
1⁄4 teaspoon dill (optional)
Instructions:
In a small bowl, mash together the salmon, yogurt and dill if using until a soft, even mixture forms.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Smooth and flatten slightly.
Freeze until firm, about 1-2 hours. Transfer frozen treats to an airtight container.
When ready to serve, thaw one or two treats briefly for a soft texture cats can lick up easily.
These salmon treats deliver a burst of soft flavor perfect for gum stimulation. Freeze any unused portions for up to 3 months.
Professional Care & Recommendations
While vigilance at home with treats, dental chews, and tooth brushing helps, professional veterinary dental care is crucial for best feline dental health outcomes. Your vet examines for issues you can’t see and provides thorough cleanings above and below the gumline to halt disease progression. They can also extract severely damaged teeth if needed.
Veterinary dental cleanings generally occur in an annual exam under anesthesia. Your vet first performs an oral assessment, taking dental x-rays if needed, to develop a treatment plan. Full-mouth teeth cleaning above and below the gumline follows. Finally, the teeth are polished to remove debris and microscopic scratches that attract plaque.
Any necessary extractions or restorations are also completed at this time. After the cleaning, your vet will discuss at-home maintenance and follow-up exams to monitor dental health. Some additional tips from veterinarians include:
Brush your cat’s teeth daily if they’ll allow it. Use a soft brush and feline-safe toothpaste. Focus on the outer surfaces.
Offer dental treats and foods at least three times per week to supplement brushing.
Provide raw meaty bones from poultry a few times a week to allow natural chewing. Always supervise.
Schedule regular vet visits for exams to identify issues early. Annual x-rays help detect problems below the gumline.
Follow your veterinarians’ individualized recommendations for dental cleanings, treatments, and home care for your cat.
Signs that your cat may need to be seen for dental issues include:
- Red, inflamed or bleeding gums
- Yellow-brown tartar buildup on teeth
- Bad breath or drooling
- Difficulty eating or chewing
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen face or mouth
- Pawing at the mouth
- Dropping food or eating on one side
Don’t delay if you notice any concerning dental symptoms. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome. Working closely with your vet along with making smart treat and nutrition choices sets your cat up for a lifetime of good dental health.
Conclusion
Oral health is just as important for our feline friends as it is for us humans. Unfortunately, dental disease is common in adult cats, usually due to a combination of dietary and genetic factors. As cat owners and caretakers, we have to be proactive about supporting our cats' dental health through prevention and treatment.
Balancing crunchy and soft homemade treats while limiting carbohydrates and sugars is key. Follow recipes using quality ingredients like dehydrated or roasted meats, veggies and fruits for crunch. Pureed baby foods, cottage cheese, yogurt and mashes make ideal soft treats. And always serve treats in moderation under supervision.
Beyond treats, have your cat's teeth professionally cleaned and examined annually. Talk to your vet about dental x-rays to see below the gumline. Brush daily if your cat allows it. And offer raw meaty bones for natural chewing enrichment. Address any symptoms of dental problems right away.
With knowledge of feline dental anatomy, active prevention, professional veterinary care, and responsible treat choices, you can help your precious cat maintain healthy, functioning teeth and gums for years to come. Those crunchy kibbles and soft homemade treats all serve a purpose - and combining both thoughtfully benefits your cat the most.
