Cats, Nutrition, and Periodontal Disease

What do I need to know about periodontal disease and my cat?

Periodontal disease is the most common problem affecting cats of all age groups. Diseases that affect the gums can cause pain and infection, in addition to causing the teeth to fall out. Periodontal disease can also impact major organs like the heart or kidneys.

The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to do some daily dental care for your cat in the comfort of your own home. For some cats, this process may require feeding an effective, evidence-based dental food to help control the build-up of plaque.

What is plaque and why might it be a problem for my cat?  

There are hundreds of different bacterial species living in your cat’s mouth. When these bacteria stick to the surface of any tooth, a film is formed and that’s what we call plaque. It’s difficult for the body to get rid of this plaque on its own, and as it builds up over time, it gets harder (like cement) and permanently sticks; that’s when we call it “tartar”. Periodontal disease develops as bacteria move from the tartar to the sensitive gums.

What can I do to promote oral health in cats?

• Reduce and control plaque. Plaque is the root cause of periodontal disease in cats.
• Match plaque-controlling techniques to the needs of each individual cat.
• Feed a diet with an appropriate texture to contribute to oral health.
• Stay ahead of plaque accumulation (build-up) and schedule professional periodontal therapy as recommended by your veterinarian.

The importance of daily, at-home dental care cannot be overemphasized. If you are having trouble with home dental care, your veterinary healthcare team can help. They can show you how to remove plaque by using a toothbrush or a piece of surgical gauze wrapped around your finger. Do not use human toothpaste to brush your cat’s teeth at home; instead, use toothpaste specifically formulated for cats and dogs.

Is sugar associated with dental disease in cats?

Studies have shown that sugars (soluble carbohydrates) do not contribute to plaque accumulation in cats.

What factors contribute to feline dental disease?

Risk factors that contribute to periodontal disease in cats include:

• Breed. Purebred cats have a higher incidence of periodontal disease.
• Age. The older the cat, the more time dental disease has to accumulate.
• Immune system health. A healthy immune system contributes to a healthy mouth. When cats are sick or their immune system is compromised, they are at greater risk for periodontal disease.

What is nutritionally best for the long-term health of my cat’s mouth and teeth?

Historically, veterinarians recommended feeding dry cat food to prevent periodontal disease. However, clinical studies show that dry food alone does not contribute to improved oral health. The texture and makeup of your cat’s food can have an impact on the environment of the mouth (oral cavity). It can be helpful to feed a diet developed to alter plaque bacteria metabolism, provide mechanical cleaning of tooth surfaces, and stimulate saliva production to maintain tissue integrity.  

How do I know if my cat’s food will contribute to oral health?

Your veterinarian can recommend a food that supports feline oral health. You can also look for foods marketed as dental diets that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC: https://vohc.org). The VOHC was established in 1997 to provide an independent and objective means of evaluating and recognizing products that interfere with or control plaque accumulation. It evaluates data generated in clinical studies, which must be performed using VOHC-approved protocols. 

The VOHC has two levels of award: plaque control and tartar control. Plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease, so look for the VOHC seal that specifies plaque control. It is important to use these nutritional products in a way that achieves optimal performance, which generally means daily use for every meal. If you combine or mix the dental diet with another food, you will reduce the efficacy (or impact) of the dental diet, preventing your cat from getting the maximum effect.

Dental food kibbles are bigger than conventional kibbles, which forces a cat to chew each kibble instead of swallowing them whole. These larger dental kibbles work to scrape plaque from the surface of a tooth as the cat bites through the kibble.

Which feline diets have earned the VOHC seal for plaque control?

A complete list of cat products (not just food) that have been awarded the VOHC seal is available on the VOHC website, at https://vohc.org/accepted-products/#cats.