Kibble That Cleans Teeth Etc

[ncarter]

Hi guys,

Just wondering what people make of all the claims pet food manufacturers make about kibble. You know that it cleans teeth and gums, reduces tartar, that its the shape of the kibble that does it etc etc. Is there much of a scientific basis for these claims? Because too me it really sounds like great spin.

[Rappie]

There is some evidence, but it's not a guarantee that they will work for every dog. One of my own dogs (5kg) tries to swallow the large dog Hills t/d biscuits whole, so they are no use to him, lol.

There are two main ways that they work - either through the kibble 'construction' so that they don't shatter and supposedly 'scrub' teeth, or through a chemical action where a phosphorous containing substance prevents calcium from saliva binding to plaque and forming tartar. Do they work? I think so, but they have their limitations and won't prevent dental disease in all dogs. Some small white fluffy dogs just have bad teeth no matter what we do. Some dogs will never get dental disease no matter what we do.

[moosepup]

My SWF just had a dental today and the vets sent her home with a complimentary bag of Hills T/D. Hope it works but I think I'll also start brushing. I give her chicken necks and wings but she doesn't chew them very much. She can swallow a neck whole, bit like a snake!!

[Mum to Emma]

Hi guys,

Just wondering what people make of all the claims pet food manufacturers make about kibble. You know that it cleans teeth and gums, reduces tartar, that its the shape of the kibble that does it etc etc. Is there much of a scientific basis for these claims? Because too me it really sounds like great spin.

About 3 years ago a vet dental specialist in Melbourne recommended the Royal Canin equivalent of T/D (I'm not sure what it's called). Said it was the only one that works. He was in the middle of writing a paper on the subject.

[Poodle wrangler]

Raw bones improve my dog's teeth.

Cheaper and tastier for dog, too

[blacklabrador]

Raw bones improve my dog's teeth.

Cheaper and tastier for dog, too

:D

[Miss B]

I'm not particularly impressed by Hills T/D. Can't say much about the other brands as I've had no experience with them.

Personally, I prefer raw meaty bones.

[Hairy Maclary]

I use raw meaty bones for my dog, but I will say that the Royal Canin Oral Sensitive for cats has worked amazingly well for our cat. :D

[moosepup]

Bones are ideal of course but not always an option. :D

[Eliza Jane]

I used Hills TD for my siamese cat (RIP). Her mouth was so small she couldn't manage bones at all, not even the smallest joint of a chicken wing. I don't like the ingredients of the TD at all but only fed her some TD as treats every day, not for her whole diet. The kibble did a great job of cleaning her teeth, far better than I had been able to do with brushing. It worked so well she didn't need a dental.

For my boy I have found he throws up raw bones, even when I can get him to chew them (he prefers to swallow whole) so I have switched to air dried bones. I know the dangers of the dried bones splintering so I give him large ones such as roo vertebrae, let him pick the meat off then take them before he starts on the bone itself. So far this is keeping his teeth nice and clean. I would prefer to keep on with this and not to have to use the Hills kibble. I haven't tried any other dental kibble so can't comment on them.

[karly101]

Have tried a few different bones with my sisters dog and he refuses to eat them so at the moment he is getting Hills T/D for his dry food... from teeth check it does seem to be doing its job of maintaining the teeth but I think it would be more effective if we did a proper dental first.

I know the dental specialist in Melb actually doesn't agree with feeding bones at all as he believes they are more damaging to teeth causing wear and fractures.