Expert: KC - 8/13/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have a Siamese/tabby cross who is 8 years old.  He has a sensitive stomach that is happy eating Science Diet for sensitive stomachs.  However, he has tarter problems with his teeth and I would like to provide him with kibble that is larger in size to help clean his teeth (this has worked well with one of my other cats).  Or is there some alternative (other than brushing his teeth) that I can try for keeping his teeth clean?

Thanks.



ANSWER: Hi!  I certainly know how horrible dental problems can be in cats.  Have you recently had them cleaned by your veterinarian?  If not, you might want to consider having your vet first check his teeth and do a full dental cleaning if needed.  Considering your question though, I'm guessing you've probably already had them cleaned and are a responsible pet owner who wants to prevent further problems.  I currently feed all of my cats premium foods, which sadly aren't Science Diet, Eukanuba, etc.  Those foods, although sold and marketed by veterinarians (because of the high profit), contain cheap and harmful by-products, excess sugars, fillers (like wood pulp), etc.  I'm a huge cat lover and have all of my little carnivores on the Wellness and Nature's Variety brands of food.  For a cat with a sensitive stomach, which I know all too well, they need as few preservatives and fillers as possible.  Not to mention, they need more canned than dry because the dry is going to contain more grain products which have more carbs...meaning more sugars to cause tarter.  I would suggest trying a canned formula that will help a sensitive stomach, such as the Nature's Variety rabbit canned...rabbit is excellent for sensitive digestive tracts.  I would feed twice daily (canned) and then immediately following let him eat a dry food (a grain free dry).  By feeding canned and then offering dry immediately after, the dry will help removed the canned and any tarter from his teeth.  However, feeding solely dry can just add sugars to the diet which aren't good in cats with dental problems or weight problems.  As soon as he's finished pick up the food so that he can't snack all day and further irritate his stomach.  Cats and dogs...basically all carnivores, weren't meant to graze on food all day, which is how many pet owners feed.  I'm curious though as to why you think that he has a sensitive stomach?  Could it be the food?  If your cat occasionally vomits for no apparent reason, particulary right after eating, has a dry coat, excessive shedding, and/or has diarrhea for no reason (after parasites have been ruled out), then I would consider diet to be the cause.  Years ago, when I fed Science Diet exclusively I had six out of my ten cats who would vomit for no reason, two had horribly itchy skin that had to be treated with steroids, and the rest were either over weight or nearly so, had dry skin, and would shed horribly.  I tried them on the Science Diet Prescription diet for sensitive skin, which helped at first, but they still had problems.  After totally changing foods because I had learned about the by-product free ones, none of my cats ever vomit, they have shiny healthy coats, and the diet even reversed diabetes in one of my cats.  I hope this information helps.  If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask :-)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the response... one question only leads to another though :-)  I use the Science Diet without any of the problems you describe.  I adopted him at age six and have tried other vet recommended sensitive stomach dry food with no success.  We've done all kinds of tests which have shown nothing, so I land back on the Science Diet.  I do give him wet food daily as well (Iams) and he loves it and had no problems with it in terms of vomitting.  I tried the Wellness wet food recently and all three cats loved it so I have been thinking about switching them for the wet food.  Unfortunately with three cats and three different diet situations, I have three types of dry food.  I tried rabbit once and they (all three) turned their noses up.  I  not responsible enough to have spent the $500.00 they want to clean his teeth so I was hoping for a diet solution.  He's a very easy going cat, so I think I will just have to make a point of taking time each day to brush his teeth.  I'm sure he would tolerate it.  I have seen supplements advertised that you can add to their food to help with dental issues... are they of any value (harm)?

Thanks again.

Answer
Yikes!  $500 to do a dental on a cat!  I'm not sure what part of the country you live in, but a full dental cleaning (tooth scaling to scrape off the tarter and/or ultrasonic cleaning) is WAY under $200...more like around $100 or less...at least in the south where I live.  The cost goes up if teeth have to be pulled but $500 seems extremely high.  You might want to get a few consults.  Sadly, if your cat has tarter buildup...particularly if it has led to gingivitis and/or peridontal disease...a good cleaning is the only solution.  After that, THEN proper diet is essential to maintain clean teeth and healthy gums.  If his teeth are in need of a good cleaning now, no food is going to 'fix' it.  ...and sadly, there is no way to scrape and clean severe tarter build up at home.  Brushing won't remove it...only scraping with a dental scaler or ultrasonic pick will do the job.  Brushing can prevent it, as can diet, but once it's on there it's not easy to get off and will eventually lead to tooth loss.  Also, the increase in bacteria in the mouth and gums can cause an increase in gastrointestinal problems, swollen lymph nodes, abcesses in the jaw due to infected teeth that need to be pulled, and unfortunately even heart problems due to the bacteria in the circulatory system.  Personally, I would visit a couple of other vet clinics...those in rural areas also tend to be cheaper, and just get their opinion on how badly a dental cleaning is needed.  Surely you can find a cheaper vet.  Once they are cleaned, then food, brushing at home, etc. will definitely prevent future problems.  If left untreated, the cost of antibiotics, tooth extrations, etc. can be very costly as it's pretty common for teeth to abcess and cause problems as I mentioned above.  As for supplements, I honestly think that most are a total waste of money.  In time, they become costly and add no nutritional benefit that a good premium cat food wouldn't add.  Some are harmful in that certain vitamins and minerals can be over dosed and cause harmful side effects.  Pretty much the only thing to do to prevent dental problems is to feed a food lower in sugar and carbs...which means a grain free food (some dry comes in grain free now).  If you feed canned (which is lower in sugar), offer dry immediately afterwards, as it will help remove small particles of canned.  And finally, just check their teeth regularly and look for early signs of tarter and plaque.  If it's present, you can use a child's soft toothbrush to remove it if you can.  However, severe tarter just won't come off at home :-(  I hope this info helps...  A lot of cat owners have to have teeth cleanings done every 5-6 years.  However, those I know who periodically check their teeth, brush at home before they get very bad at all, and watch their diet, rarely ever have to have dentals done.  If a vet has to clean his teeth this once, you should be able to prevent them from getting this bad again.  Also be sure to check your other cats (and/or dogs) teeth regularly.  If you have any more questions please let me know.