Deciding to add a cat to your home includes looking after their overall well-being, including dental health. Cat owners may sometimes forget dental care and hygiene of their cat; it is a little-known fact that one of the top reasons for vet visits is due to feline dental problems. Overlooking cat dental care can lead to various health problems such as unpleasant kitty breath, gum disease, tartar buildup, tooth loss, gastrointestinal problems, and heart disease.

The good news is that there are various ways to ensure dental care for cats, from catnip and mints to treats designed to promote dental hygiene. With these many options, feline dental care should be a norm. Wondering where to start? Here are some ideas:

Cat Dental Treats

Rewarding a cat with a treat after a good behavior is an ideal way to encourage positive feedback. One issue, however, is that the treats sometimes contribute to tooth decay and plaque build up. For a healthy dental condition of your cats, go for cat dental treats that are tooth-friendly.

Purina DentaLife Dental Cat Treats

Designed to promote dental health, these cat dental treats are more porous than usual ones to fight off tartar and plaque buildup. The treats are shaped in a way that cats can easily bite into it and help clean all sides of the teeth. This product contains no artificial coloring or flavoring.

Feline Greenies Dental Cat Treats

An all-in-one treat, this chicken-flavored dental cat treat is packed with natural ingredients, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients such as taurine and chlorophyll for optimum feline dental health. The treats are formulated to specifically meet the nutritional standards implemented by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. These treats must only be given to cats one year of age or older.

Meow Mix Brushing Bites Cat Treats

Available in different flavors of tuna, chicken, and salmon, these bite-sized cat treats are specially designed to reduce tartar and plaque buildup on your cat’s teeth. Made with real salmon, the treats are also fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D to ensure strong and healthy teeth and bones. The nutritional level of this treat also meets the standard required by AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. Depending on the size of your cat, dosage requirement is as follows: 9-11 pieces per day for 5-9 lb cats or 12-14 pieces a day for 10-14 lb cats.

Paws IQ Cat Dental Treats – Salmon Flavor

Free from ingredients that can be harmful to your cats such as corn or wheat, these dental treats are specially designed to freshen the breath of your kitties and to control tartar build up. The treats are also high in protein for an overall good health.

Emerald Pet Cat Chicken Dental Grain-Free Treats

As mentioned, there are some ingredients that can cause more harm than good for your cats. Along with wheat, soy, and corn, grain is also a no-no when it comes to feline health. These all-natural formula dental treats promote healthy teeth and fresh breath while being free from grain, gluten, soy, and dairy. Each piece is less than 2 calories as well, to help maintain a good balance of calorie intake for your cats. The feeding suggestion is as follows: 6 -9 pieces for 5-10 lb cats, 10-14 pieces for 10-15 lb cats, and up to 15 pieces for cats that are over 15 lbs.

Hartz Dentist’s Best Chicken Flavored Dental Cat Treats

Dental cat treats that can be given both to kittens and adults, these are formulated with DentaShield to help reduce tartar formation. Each piece is packed with vitamins and minerals to help promote healthy dental care for cats of all ages. With its crunchy bite, the teeth are cleaned and the gums are massaged. The treats also come in chicken flavor making it more appealing to cats.

Oral Hygiene Chews

In addition to treats, chews are also great to encourage dental care among cats. These chews are specially formulated to address feline dental problems and is a recommended purchase along with cat treats.

Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for Cats

These oral hygiene chews use an exclusive dual-enzyme system that eliminates bacteria that causes plaque and tartar buildup. Through a combination of abrasive action due to the chew’s shape and design, along with its natural antiseptic properties, the dental health and oral care of your cats are improved. These chewable treats are made from select freeze-dried fish, making it safe and yummy for kitties. The recommended dosage is one chew, daily.

In Clover—Smile—Dental Health—Cat Chews

This cat chew is packed with natural ingredients that kill bacteria before it is able to start building tartar and plaque. With a unique combination of catnip, green tea extract, flavonoids, and prebiotics, the sticky biofilm coating the teeth is dissolved. When left on its own, this biofilm turns into plaque over time. There is no need as well for brushing or scraping, making it easy for cat owners. The treats are easily consumed by the cats, thanks to the bits of catnip within. For cats with unpleasant kitty breath, the chlorophyll within these chews promote a sweet minty breath. The recommended dosage is two chews per day.

N-Bone Cat Chew

A healthy and chewy treat for cats, these chicken-flavored chew sticks aid in removing tartar and plaque buildup. The treats are also formulated with natural taurine for improved overall health. There are no added preservatives or artificial colors, making it safe for kitties to consume.

Catnip

The quintessential cat treat, most cat-owners already have catnip in their homes. In addition to the usual relaxing effects of catnip, it is also known to help improve feline oral health. Below are some products that will surely give your cat a good time while also keeping their teeth and gums healthy.

Matatabi Cat Stick Catnip Chew Sticks Pet Kitten Cleaning Teeth Healthy Care Organic Silvervine

These catnip sticks work wonders on your cat’s teeth. A few of its benefits include helping get hairballs out and improving gastrointestinal health, soothing mild stomach discomfort, cleaning teeth, and reducing tartar and plaque. These catnip sticks are also formulated with vitamins, without harmful additives or preservatives. The treats come in resealable and ecological packaging, to maintain the freshness of the sticks.

Catnip Buds Dentalz Cat Treats

An effective stimulant for cats and also a way to keep their teeth and gums healthy, these catnip buds are all natural and organic. While chewing on these buds, the teeth of your cats are being cleaned while also encouraging play and active behavior.

Cat Mints

A great way to keep your cat’s breath fresh and their teeth healthy, cat mints are not just handy but really valuable too. Below are some mints that you can get for your kitties.

Arm & Hammer Advanced Care Dental Mints For Cats

These dental mints keep your cat’s breath fresh, while also keeping their teeth clean and gums healthy. The mints are made from natural ingredients such as baking soda and Omega-3 Fatty Acid for an effective dental health. With a crunchy texture, each bite promotes cleaner and whiter teeth for your cats. The treats are chicken-flavored with a scent is of fresh mint. Recommended feeding is one to two mints per day.

Chomp Pit’r Pat Liver Flavor Tasty Treats for Cats

This handy liver-flavored cat treats come in adorable packaging, perfect for cats and fur-parents on the go. What’s within, however, is more important. Inside are fish-shaped cat treats packed with parsley powder and green tea extract formulated to keep your cat’s breath fresh and their gums healthy. These treats are free from harmful ingredients such as artificial coloring, soy, corn, and dairy.

Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick

A combination of cat mints and treats, these sticks freshen kitty breath, reduces tartar buildup on their teeth, soothes tender gums, and exercises jaw muscles. Filled with real mint that most cats find equally attractive to catnip, the center can be rolled and pressed to release a more minty scent.

Other Cat Dental Health Tips

Tuna Water

PureBites Mixers Wild Skipjack Tuna & Wild Alaskan Salmon in Water for Cats

This canned tuna in water doubles as a fancy treat and a dental care regimen. Cat owners can dip a finger in tuna water and rub it on the gums of their cats. For cat owners with kittens, it is best to start this early in order to maintain a routine with your cats. The more comfortable a cat is, the easier it is to follow through as cats grow older.

Water Additive

Arm & Hammer Advanced Care Fresh Breath Mint Water Additive for Cats

Mix this mint-flavored formula to your cat’s drinking water to help keep their gums and teeth healthy, avoid mouth infections, and eliminate bad breath. This product is created with all natural ingredients to ensure the safety of your cats while eliminating tartar and plaque buildup. The recommended dosage is adding one capful per 8 oz of drinking water, every time the water bowl is refilled.

Insert-A-Treat Toys

Nylabone Munch ‘N Clean Dental Net Insert-A-Treat Treasure Trio

Just like dealing with kids, dental health and hygiene are made easier when it’s fun. This toy brings out the fun and playful side of your cat, while also cleaning their teeth and reducing tartar. It also promotes exercise for cats, keeping them active and healthy. Each pack comes with three brightly-colored toys with pockets where you can insert treats.

Cat Dental Insert-A-Treat Bait Buddies Treat Holder

A fun and healthy way to improve your cat’s dental care, these insert-a-treat packages are made for chase-and-chew activity. Cat dental treats are inserted into the pockets of the toy and while cats play with it and bite it, the product cleans their teeth and massages their gums. Since these treat holders are smaller in size, it is best to monitor and supervise the behavior of your cats after giving the treat.

Chew Toys

BCHZ Rubber Pet Dog Puppy Cat Dental Teething Healthy Gums Clean Chew Play Toys

It’s not all just fun and plays with these rubber toys. As cats and dogs play with them, their teeth get cleaned and they get to exercise while having fun. These chew toys are non-toxic and are made of materials safe for pets.

Cat Dental Kit (Toothbrush and Toothpaste)

SENTRY Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats

Developed by a veterinarian who knows what’s best for cats, this toothpaste comes with its own set of kitty toothbrush and a finger toothbrush for kittens. The latter can also be used to massage the gums of cats. It is recommended for cats to brush their teeth regularly in order to reduce tartar and plaque buildup, as well as ensure clean teeth and fresh breath. This hydrogen-peroxide enzymatic toothpaste does not foam so there is no need to rinse – making the brushing experience quick and easy.

Dental Care Oral Supplement

Proden PlaqueOff Dental Care for Dogs and Cats

An oral supplement for cats and dogs, this product promotes healthy teeth, gums, and overall dental care. It is made with 100% natural ingredients, mainly using a specific strain of seaweed harvested in north Scandinavia that has the ability to fight bacterial biofilm. The formula also comes in a powder form, making it easy to add it to wet or dry food. As a cat eats, the natural ingredients of the product are activated with the cat saliva and work on eliminating tartar and plaque buildup.

Treats and toys are good ways to encourage good behavior among cats. These are also some of the simplest ways to make them happy. Fortunately, these can also be used to improve a cat’s dental care routine. Through the use of these products, you can ensure that the dental health of your cat is taken care of. 

Make it a habit to regularly clean their teeth, invest in treats that promote dental care, and go for toys that are not just for fun but also improve their health. Check out the list above and let us know what works best for your cat!