Natural dental treats

[guarua]

One of my cats has early gingivitis. I want to give him some "dental" treats that aren't full of fillers and unnecessary crap. I was looking at duck and chicken feet, but I was wondering if there's anything more easily available and how often I should give them?
For reference, he has IBD, which is why I'm more concerned about it being natural and minimal ingredient. I used to brush his teeth regularly but stopped after his diagnosis when he was put on a trial diet.
He eats some dry food but just absolutely inhales it, so I want something that he will actually chew.

 

[Jabzilla]

My cats get raw meaty bones to keep their teeth clean. One gets chicken necks cut into pieces, and chicken wing flats cut lengthwise so each bone is intact. My other cat who has IBD gets duck necks, cut into 20g chunks and then smashed a bit with a meat mallet to crunch up the bone on the inside. They each get one of their respective meaty bones a day. I also brush my IBD kitty’s teeth since as a kitten I was told he had periodontal disease and to brush his teeth every night. I’ve been doing that for seven years now. Both cats have excellent teeth. My cat who won’t let me brush her teeth went to have them cleaned by the vet and they told me there wasn’t really anything they needed to do, just polish them and remove a small amount tartar on the molars. They told me to keep doing whatever I’m doing cause it’s working.

So I recommend using raw meaty bones for keeping cats teeth clean. As for which to use, chicken and duck feet might be too complicated for a cat who’s never had RMB’s before. They can be used once he has more experience. Chicken necks or duck necks are easier since they’re a simple cylindrical shape and can easily be cut into chunks. Chicken wing flats or chicken wing tips are good as well. I’m assuming your boy can eat chicken since you mentioned the chicken feet. Dressed quail is a good option as well. The bones are small and easy for a cat to chew.

 

[guarua]

My cats get raw meaty bones to keep their teeth clean. One gets chicken necks cut into pieces, and chicken wing flats cut lengthwise so each bone is intact. My other cat who has IBD gets duck necks, cut into 20g chunks and then smashed a bit with a meat mallet to crunch up the bone on the inside. They each get one of their respective meaty bones a day. I also brush my IBD kitty’s teeth since as a kitten I was told he had periodontal disease and to brush his teeth every night. I’ve been doing that for seven years now. Both cats have excellent teeth. My cat who won’t let me brush her teeth went to have them cleaned by the vet and they told me there wasn’t really anything they needed to do, just polish them and remove a small amount tartar on the molars. They told me to keep doing whatever I’m doing cause it’s working.

So I recommend using raw meaty bones for keeping cats teeth clean. As for which to use, chicken and duck feet might be too complicated for a cat who’s never had RMB’s before. They can be used once he has more experience. Chicken necks or duck necks are easier since they’re a simple cylindrical shape and can easily be cut into chunks. Chicken wing flats or chicken wing tips are good as well. I’m assuming your boy can eat chicken since you mentioned the chicken feet. Dressed quail is a good option as well. The bones are small and easy for a cat to chew.

Thanks so much! That's really helpful. I'll get him some duck necks and maybe some quail for my other kitty.

 

[game misconduct]

chicken gizzards if he will eat raw

 

[FriendofFerals]

My cats get raw meaty bones to keep their teeth clean. One gets chicken necks cut into pieces, and chicken wing flats cut lengthwise so each bone is intact. My other cat who has IBD gets duck necks, cut into 20g chunks and then smashed a bit with a meat mallet to crunch up the bone on the inside. They each get one of their respective meaty bones a day. I also brush my IBD kitty’s teeth since as a kitten I was told he had periodontal disease and to brush his teeth every night. I’ve been doing that for seven years now. Both cats have excellent teeth. My cat who won’t let me brush her teeth went to have them cleaned by the vet and they told me there wasn’t really anything they needed to do, just polish them and remove a small amount tartar on the molars. They told me to keep doing whatever I’m doing cause it’s working.

So I recommend using raw meaty bones for keeping cats teeth clean. As for which to use, chicken and duck feet might be too complicated for a cat who’s never had RMB’s before. They can be used once he has more experience. Chicken necks or duck necks are easier since they’re a simple cylindrical shape and can easily be cut into chunks. Chicken wing flats or chicken wing tips are good as well. I’m assuming your boy can eat chicken since you mentioned the chicken feet. Dressed quail is a good option as well. The bones are small and easy for a cat to chew.

Yes...This ^^^ not commercial packaged "treats" but raw, meaty bones. Something close to what they would eat in the wild like bird bones, feathers, mice---minus the parasites and all that.

 

[Cat McCannon]

chicken gizzards if he will eat raw

Been feeding Belle raw gizzards for more than four years and she’s never needed a teeth cleaning. In addition, we feed her chicken liver & hearts. Not every meal, of course. Put them into snack sized Ziplocks and pop them into the freezer. Thaw them out in the fridge and warm them in hot tap water. She loves them!

 

[Alldara]

One of my cats has early gingivitis. I want to give him some "dental" treats that aren't full of fillers and unnecessary crap. I was looking at duck and chicken feet, but I was wondering if there's anything more easily available and how often I should give them?
For reference, he has IBD, which is why I'm more concerned about it being natural and minimal ingredient. I used to brush his teeth regularly but stopped after his diagnosis when he was put on a trial diet.
He eats some dry food but just absolutely inhales it, so I want something that he will actually chew.

My vet was saying that a toothbrush with warm water and no toothpaste was better than any dental treat or additive we could give Magnus when we were getting food allergies diagnosed.

 

[guarua]

My vet was saying that a toothbrush with warm water and no toothpaste was better than any dental treat or additive we could give Magnus when we were getting food allergies diagnosed.

Unfortunately he will no longer tolerate the toothbrush, but thank you! I'll keep it in mind for the other cats too.

 

[Alldara]

Unfortunately he will no longer tolerate the toothbrush, but thank you! I'll keep it in mind for the other cats too.

Here's a list of the products confirmed to assist with plaque prevention

Accepted Products | Veterinary Oral Health Council

 

[lisahe]

Unfortunately he will no longer tolerate the toothbrush, but thank you! I'll keep it in mind for the other cats too.

Our vet recommends gauze pads even more than toothbrushes, though I'm not sure that's going to work for Edwina, who also has IBD! (I picture getting my whole hand chomped...) We have the exact same problem as you do with cat toothpaste: problem ingredients.

I've been meaning to try using a toothbrush (which she doesn't mind) along with a little marshmallow root powder, which could even (perhaps?) be helpful for her stomatitis and gut. You might consider slippery elm bark, which is a wonderful anti-inflammatory: giving Edwina slippery elm bark syrup -- which we started using for her IBD/gut symptoms -- on some of her meals/snacks has seemed to help keep her stomatitis in check. The vet said her throat and mouth look very good for a cat with known stomatitis.

Here are some basics on slippery elm bark:
Slippery Elm | Little Big Cat - Dr. Jean Hofve

 

[guarua]

Our vet recommends gauze pads even more than toothbrushes, though I'm not sure that's going to work for Edwina, who also has IBD! (I picture getting my whole hand chomped...) We have the exact same problem as you do with cat toothpaste: problem ingredients.

I've been meaning to try using a toothbrush (which she doesn't mind) along with a little marshmallow root powder, which could even (perhaps?) be helpful for her stomatitis and gut. You might consider slippery elm bark, which is a wonderful anti-inflammatory: giving Edwina slippery elm bark syrup -- which we started using for her IBD/gut symptoms -- on some of her meals/snacks has seemed to help keep her stomatitis in check. The vet said her throat and mouth look very good for a cat with known stomatitis.

Here are some basics on slippery elm bark:
Slippery Elm | Little Big Cat - Dr. Jean Hofve

I've been giving him supplements with slippery elm and it has been so helpful! He never pukes anymore. But I'm still trying to be careful with food and treats. This is what I've been using: chewy.com/dp/231939
I've also been told by my vet about the gauze pads. Unfortunately I did a very poor job introducing the toothbrush the first time and he has some pain in his teeth when I brush them, so it ends up being a big struggle.

My cats get raw meaty bones to keep their teeth clean. One gets chicken necks cut into pieces, and chicken wing flats cut lengthwise so each bone is intact. My other cat who has IBD gets duck necks, cut into 20g chunks and then smashed a bit with a meat mallet to crunch up the bone on the inside. They each get one of their respective meaty bones a day. I also brush my IBD kitty’s teeth since as a kitten I was told he had periodontal disease and to brush his teeth every night. I’ve been doing that for seven years now. Both cats have excellent teeth. My cat who won’t let me brush her teeth went to have them cleaned by the vet and they told me there wasn’t really anything they needed to do, just polish them and remove a small amount tartar on the molars. They told me to keep doing whatever I’m doing cause it’s working.

So I recommend using raw meaty bones for keeping cats teeth clean. As for which to use, chicken and duck feet might be too complicated for a cat who’s never had RMB’s before. They can be used once he has more experience. Chicken necks or duck necks are easier since they’re a simple cylindrical shape and can easily be cut into chunks. Chicken wing flats or chicken wing tips are good as well. I’m assuming your boy can eat chicken since you mentioned the chicken feet. Dressed quail is a good option as well. The bones are small and easy for a cat to chew.

I also meant to ask, what brands do you buy? I'm trying not to spend too much haha.

 

[Jabzilla]

I've been giving him supplements with slippery elm and it has been so helpful! He never pukes anymore. But I'm still trying to be careful with food and treats. This is what I've been using: chewy.com/dp/231939
I've also been told by my vet about the gauze pads. Unfortunately I did a very poor job introducing the toothbrush the first time and he has some pain in his teeth when I brush them, so it ends up being a big struggle.


I also meant to ask, what brands do you buy? I'm trying not to spend too much haha.

I'm in Canada, so I get the dressed quail from the local Asian grocery store chain. I order the chicken and duck necks from True Carnivores - Raw Food For Cats & Dogs Home Delivery In the US, Raw Feeding Miami has a bunch of RMB options. Duck – Raw Feeding Miami and Hare Today has a bunch as well. Category | Hare Today

 

[lisahe]

I've been giving him supplements with slippery elm and it has been so helpful! He never pukes anymore. But I'm still trying to be careful with food and treats. This is what I've been using: chewy.com/dp/231939
I've also been told by my vet about the gauze pads. Unfortunately I did a very poor job introducing the toothbrush the first time and he has some pain in his teeth when I brush them, so it ends up being a big struggle.

Yes, we use Vet's Best tablets, too, they're great! Both our cats still get more SEB, in a supplement that also includes probiotics, and in plain syrup. (I did some math to be sure I'm not overdosing the cats on SEB but that combination is fine.)

Brushing (or otherwise cleaning) a cat's teeth can be quite an adventure!

 

[Cat McCannon]

Brushing (or otherwise cleaning) a cat's teeth can be quite an adventure!

Right up there with giving a cat a bath

 

[lisahe]

Right up there with giving a cat a bath

Ouch, yes! I had one cat who loved water and even got in the bathtub a couple times but am grateful that our current two cats have never needed full baths!

 

[iPappy]

I'm in Canada, so I get the dressed quail from the local Asian grocery store chain. I order the chicken and duck necks from True Carnivores - Raw Food For Cats & Dogs Home Delivery In the US, Raw Feeding Miami has a bunch of RMB options. Duck – Raw Feeding Miami and Hare Today has a bunch as well. Category | Hare Today

Can confirm, Hare Today has some excellent products and a huge variety. The company is excellent to work with, too.
Feeding whole bones is out of my comfort level, but gizzards are so chewy it really seems to help keep their teeth clean.
I've never made a huge attempt to brush my cats teeth, but the next one I get will have it introduced early on. (Even if I can't get them perfect, it would be great to be able to actually handle and examine their mouths if necessary!)
I've been thinking about ordering some stuff from Raw Feeding Miami at some point, as well. I've heard great things about them.