Dental health diets for cats

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Oral health can be difficult for pet owners and veterinary teams to manage in cats, particularly for pets whose owners are not committed to regular tooth brushing and/or dental treats. [1] [2] Oral disease is common among cats, and may lead to other health issues such as bacterial infections of major organs including the heart, kidneys and liver. [3] [4] When pet owners are aware of the benefits of supporting good oral health in cats, this substantially improves positive outcomes. [2] Dietary selection, along with at-home-dental-hygiene care, allows cat owners to influence the oral status of their pets. [2]

Contents

Feline dental health diets are pet foods designed to prevent oral diseases in cats. Many commercial and prescription pet food manufacturers offer dental specific diets aimed to improve the oral health of adult domestic cats.

On overall feline health

Managing oral health is important for maintaining optimum health status in cats. [3] [5] Periodontal diseases are prevalent in cats of all ages and have the potential to further develop into local and/or systemic diseases. [3] If oral hygiene is not supported and periodontal disease develops, the overall health of the animal is affected. [3] [4]

Oral disease is not a new problem for cats. A 2014 study examined the skulls of cats that died before 1960 and discovered the same feline dental diseases found in modern times. [4] This highlights that felines are predisposed to poor oral health, a trait which is likely due to their origins as a desert species and the typical diet they consume. [6] [7] It is important to note that purebred cats are not at a higher risk of developing oral diseases when compared to mixed breeds. [4] This further supports the supposition that the lifestyle of the cat plays the largest role on dental health. [6] [7]

Specific dietary nutrients

There are key nutrients to look for on the food label of dental diets which support dental health. These ingredients focus on preventing tartar, plaque, and bacterial growth in the mouth.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that is often added to diets for its antibacterial properties. [8] It has also been proven to reduce plaque in cats. [8] [9] In association with this, bad breath, also known as halitosis, is reduced. [8] [9] It is commonly found in feline diets as zinc ascorbate, zinc gluconate, zinc oxide, or as other types of zinc salts. [9] [10] A cat may absorb anywhere between ten and twenty-five percent of the dietary zinc they consume. [10] Depending on other nutrient levels present, the absorption of zinc in the cat's body may be anywhere within this range. [10] In particular, calcium and phytate are known to decrease zinc absorption. [8] Alternatively, feeding zinc to cats in high concentrations can cause toxicity symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and a lack of appetite. [8]

Polyphosphates can be used to coat the kibbles of both dog and cat dental diets. [9] [11] These compounds are effective at binding to minerals, in particular calcium, which would otherwise bind to plaque and harden to form tartar. [9] [11] In particular, sodium hexametaphosphate has been shown to effectively decrease tartar buildup on teeth. [12] It is able to do this by binding to the calcium component found in tartar. [12] Kibbles coated with this compound have been proven to prevent the formation of tartar on all teeth, and not just those involved in the mechanical breakdown of food (mainly the molars). [12]

Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is a useful ingredient for cats whose mouth and gums are already diseased. [8] It is usually added to the coating of kibbles in the form of ascorbyl phosphate. [13] Ascorbic acid is an effective antiseptic used to heal mouth sores and reduce inflammation. [8] These results were determined by visual assessments and bacterial cultures. [8]

Diet physical properties

Diet selection is important for feline dental health. Cats fed a dry food diet have a better oral health status regarding the presence of dental diseases and tartar accumulation when compared to cats fed a wet food diet. [1] Similarly, when cats are fed only or partially dry commercially prepared cat food as part of their feeding program, there is a reduction in tartar and gingival disease when compared to cats fed home prepared diets. [2] Advantages of a dry diet are due to the abrasive properties, such as the patterning or texture of the kibble, which mechanically scrape teeth and aid in the removal of plaque buildup. [9] [14] The addition of dietary fibre present in high levels is effective in achieving this texture and is useful in promoting chewing in order to increase contact with teeth. [9] The positive effects of a kibble on feline dental health are achieved in dry pet food formulations and are not exclusive to diets which focus on dental health. [14]

Kibble size is also an important factor when creating a dental diet. By increasing kibble size, tartar can be significantly decreased. [15] This reduction in tartar correlates to the increased need to chew as kibble size increases. [15]

Homemade raw diets that include the feeding of meaty, raw bones to mechanically break down plaque and tartar have proven to be more of a risk than benefit. [9] In addition to risking spoilage due to microbial and bacterial growth, fracturing of teeth is also common. [9]

The Veterinary Oral Health Council

When looking for dental diets and treats for cats, the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is a useful indicator to determine the efficacy of a product. Run by the American Veterinary Dental College, this council exists to validate dental health claims, such as the reduction of tartar and/or plaque, made by food and treat manufacturers. [9] They recognize and provide credit to companies who have done their due diligence in ensuring the clinical efficacy of their product. [16] The VOHC do not perform their own testing, but instead review research provided by pet food companies who must follow regulations and protocols that they have established, in addition to undergoing a rigorous approval process. [16] The VOHC seal of approval can be found on products in both veterinary clinics and retail stores. [16]

Advocating for feline oral health

To promote oral health of felines, a dental diet is an excellent place to start. Diets with key nutrients such as zinc, polyphosphates, and ascorbic acid, can aid in the prevention of dental disease and the reduction of plaque and tartar accumulation. [8] [9] Aside from diet composition, large kibble size is a factor for consideration when purchasing a commercial diet. [14] [15] Additionally, looking for the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal is a good way to identify products which meet standardized protocols that help consumers purchase products that have been proven to be effective. [16]

Related Research Articles

Periodontal disease Medical condition

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become swollen and red and may bleed. It is considered the main cause of tooth loss for adults worldwide. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or fall out. Bad breath may also occur.

Dog food Food intended for consumption by dogs usually made from meat

Dog food is food specifically formulated and intended for consumption by dogs and other related canines. Dogs are considered to be omnivores with a carnivorous bias. They have the sharp, pointed teeth and shorter gastrointestinal tracts of carnivores, better suited for the consumption of meat than of vegetable substances, yet also have ten genes that are responsible for starch and glucose digestion, as well as the ability to produce amylase, an enzyme that functions to break down carbohydrates into simple sugars - something that carnivores lack. Dogs evolved the ability living alongside humans in agricultural societies, as they managed on scrap leftovers from humans.

Calculus (dental) Form of hardened dental plaque

In dentistry, calculus or tartar is a form of hardened dental plaque. It is caused by precipitation of minerals from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in plaque on the teeth. This process of precipitation kills the bacterial cells within dental plaque, but the rough and hardened surface that is formed provides an ideal surface for further plaque formation. This leads to calculus buildup, which compromises the health of the gingiva (gums). Calculus can form both along the gumline, where it is referred to as supragingival, and within the narrow sulcus that exists between the teeth and the gingiva, where it is referred to as subgingival.

Teeth cleaning is part of oral hygiene and involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth with the intention of preventing cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. People routinely clean their own teeth by brushing and interdental cleaning, and dental hygienists can remove hardened deposits (tartar) not removed by routine cleaning. Those with dentures and natural teeth may supplement their cleaning with a denture cleaner.

Tooth decay Deformation of teeth made by acids from bacteria

Tooth decay, also known as cavities or caries, is the breakdown of teeth due to acids made by bacteria. The cavities may be a number of different colors from yellow to black. Symptoms may include pain and difficulty with eating. Complications may include inflammation of the tissue around the tooth, tooth loss and infection or abscess formation.

Cat food Food for consumption by cats

Cat food is food for consumption by cats. Cats have specific requirements for their dietary nutrients. Certain nutrients, including many vitamins and amino acids, are degraded by the temperatures, pressures and chemical treatments used during manufacture, and hence must be added after manufacture to avoid nutritional deficiency.

Raw feeding is the practice of feeding domestic dogs, cat and other animals diet consisting primarily of uncooked meat, edible bones, and organs. The ingredients used to formulate raw diets can vary. Some pet owners choose to make home-made raw diets to feed their animals but commercial raw food diets are also available.

Periodontology or periodontics is the specialty of dentistry that studies supporting structures of teeth, as well as diseases and conditions that affect them. The supporting tissues are known as the periodontium, which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament. A periodontist is a dentist that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants.

Dental plaque is a biofilm of microorganisms that grows on surfaces within the mouth. It is a sticky colorless deposit at first, but when it forms tartar, it is often brown or pale yellow. It is commonly found between the teeth, on the front of teeth, behind teeth, on chewing surfaces, along the gumline (supragingival), or below the gumline cervical margins (subgingival). Dental plaque is also known as microbial plaque, oral biofilm, dental biofilm, dental plaque biofilm or bacterial plaque biofilm. Bacterial plaque is one of the major causes for dental decay and gum disease.

Veterinary dentistry

Veterinary dentistry is the field of dentistry applied to the care of animals. It is the art and science of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions, diseases, and disorders of the oral cavity, the maxillofacial region, and its associated structures as it relates to animals.

Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion

Feline Tooth Resorption (TR) is a syndrome in cats characterized by resorption of the tooth by odontoclasts, cells similar to osteoclasts. TR has also been called "feline odontoclastic resorption lesion" (FORL), neck lesion, cervical neck lesion, cervical line erosion, feline subgingival resorptive lesion, feline caries, or feline cavity. It is one of the most common diseases of domestic cats, affecting up to two-thirds. TRs have been seen more recently in the history of feline medicine due to the advancing ages of cats, but 800-year-old cat skeletons have shown evidence of this disease. Purebred cats, especially Siamese and Persians, may be more susceptible.

Tooth brushing Act of scrubbing teeth with a toothbrush

Tooth brushing is the act of scrubbing teeth with a toothbrush, usually equipped with toothpaste. Interdental cleaning can be useful with tooth brushing, and together these two activities are the primary means of cleaning teeth, one of the main aspects of oral hygiene.

Oral hygiene Cleaning the mouth by brushing the teeth and cleaning in between the teeth.

Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's mouth clean and free of disease and other problems by regular brushing of the teeth and cleaning between the teeth. It is important that oral hygiene be carried out on a regular basis to enable prevention of dental disease and bad breath. The most common types of dental disease are tooth decay and gum diseases, including gingivitis, and periodontitis.

Cat health Health of domestic cats

The health of domestic cats is a well studied area in veterinary medicine.

Gingivitis Inflammation of the gums

Gingivitis is a non-destructive disease that causes inflammation of the gums. The most common form of gingivitis, and the most common form of periodontal disease overall, is in response to bacterial biofilms that is attached to tooth surfaces, termed plaque-induced gingivitis. Most forms of gingivitis are plaque-induced.

<i>Trichomonas tenax</i> Species of single-celled organism

Trichomonas tenax, or oral trichomonas, is a species of Trichomonas commonly found in the oral cavity of humans. Routine hygiene is generally not sufficient to eliminate the parasite, hence its Latin name, meaning "tenacious". The parasite is frequently encountered in periodontal infections, affecting more than 50% of the population in some areas, but it is usually considered insignificant. T. tenax is generally not found on the gums of healthy patients. It is known to play a pathogenic role in necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis, worsening preexisting periodontal disease. This parasite is also implicated in some chronic lung diseases; in such cases, removal of the parasite is sufficient to allow recovery.

Oral disease is one of the most common diseases found in dogs. It is caused by the buildup of various anaerobic bacteria in the mouth which forms plaque, eventually hardening into tartar on the teeth along the gum line, and is related to the development of gingivitis. Since small and toy breeds have a much smaller jaw but contain the same number of teeth, crowding allows higher bacterial build up and puts them at higher risk of developing periodontal disease.

While there is no clear definition, a senior cat is generally considered to be either mature, senior or geriatric. As the population of senior cats appears to be growing in North America based on numbers for geriatric populations, important nutritional considerations need to be made when choosing an appropriate diet for a healthy senior cat. Dietary management of many age-related conditions becomes more important in senior cats because changes in their physiology and metabolism may alter how their system responds to various medications and treatments.

Allergies in cats

Cats exposed to allergens may develop allergies or allergic reactions. Allergies tend to become evident and intensify over extended periods of time and can take years to develop. Some allergic diseases and allergies in cats include feline atopic dermatitis, flea allergy dermatitis, feline-mosquito hypersensitivity, and food-induced allergy. In the case of feline atopy, hypersensitivity to allergens is due to genetic predisposition. However, various allergies may arise due to environmental factors. Allergens, ingested, inhaled, or airborne, can be seasonal or non-seasonal, similar to allergies in humans. Suspected seasonal allergens include but are not limited to pollen, fleas, and mosquito bites; suspected non-seasonal allergens include but are not limited to plastic materials, food, dust, trees, and grass. After exposure to suspected allergens, symptoms may be immediate or delayed, arising within a few minutes to two hours. Symptoms can include both dermatological and gastrointestinal signs such as itchy skin, hair loss and excessive scratching. In cases of feline atopic dermatitis or atopy in cats, pruritic skin diseases may result; however, signs can also include miliary dermatitis, symmetrical alopecia, and lesions of the eosinophilic granuloma complex.

References

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  13. ↑ US 20060189579,Anderson, Stewart; Gadient, Martin& Hofmann, Peteret al.,"Method of stabilizing ascorbyl phosphate and salts thereof",published 2006-08-24
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