Feeding your dog or cat for optimal dental health!

Feeding your dog or cat for optimal dental health

Your pets dental health is a very important part of their overall health. Periodontal disease causes a lot of pain and discomfort, It is also linked to diseases of the kidneys, liver, and heart! 

One of the most important ways to improve dental health is by feeding your furbaby the correct diet.

Minimize plaque 

The persistent presence of plaque on the tooth surface is the most important factor influencing the development of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Plaque deposits put pressure on the gums, causing inflammation, swelling,and receding gums. This causes pockets to form between the teeth and gums where more debris gets stuck, worsening the problem. A serious complication of periodontal disease is the formation of an abscess. This destroys the root of the tooth, causing major pain, bleeding gums, bad breath, excessive salivation, painful chewing, and possible loss of appetite or weight.

Diet can play an important role in the minimizing plaque formation and can help remove already existing plaque. The type of diet feed, along with tooth brushing and chew toys can also factor into the persistence and removal of plaque.

The form of food is key    

Studies have shown that dogs and cats that are fed  only soft foods such as canned or home-cooked foods had more dental calculus and periodontal disease than dogs and cats fed only dry food or a mixture of soft food with kibble. 

However, even the kibble fed dogs and cats had significant dental disease, including plaque build up, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. One reason for this is the high carbohydrate concentration found in most commercial dry foods, they provide sugars that feed bacteria in your pets mouth.

Raw fed dogs and cats may have less gingivitis and periodontal disease, but this is also dependent on the breed as well as diet. Raw food contains natural enzymes that help prevent tartar buildup.    

Foods that help repair gum tissue

Gingivitis and stomatitis result in painful gums, the repair of these tissues will be hastened by a diet containing vegetables rich in niacin, folate, and minerals. Dark leafy greens such as kale, dandelion, and collards along with vegetables such as broccoli and asparagus are good for this. Fresh liver and eggs also contain folate and vitamin A, which helps heal the mocous membranes and bone broth can help strengthen teeth.