While Purina Dentalife Dental Cat Treats appear to do a better job than any other dental cat treat on the market, they aren’t the only option. In addition to our top recommendation, we’ve chosen several other treats that go the extra mile to improve your cat’s oral health.

Unlike any commercial cat food, raw meaty bones force your cat to use his jaws to gnaw and tear, digging his teeth into muscle tissue and breaking through raw bone. This gnawing action strengthens the jaws and cleans the teeth.

DENTALIFE® Dental Chicken Cat Treats

Now let’s go over a few points that should help you find the treats that will work best for your cat. Why Cats Need Dental Treats There are numerous ways to keep your cat’s mouth healthy but brushing his teeth every day is the most effective method. Annual dental cleanings at the vet will remove any buildup you weren’t able to catch with the toothbrush and dental treats can help to fill in any gaps. A delicious daily dental treat that helps clean your cat's teeth easily and effectively with its scientifically designed crunchy and porous texture.

Genetics, diet, and oral hygiene all work in concert to support your cat’s dental health. Before treats, your first priority should be choosing the right diet and brushing your cat’s teeth with a good toothbrush and toothpaste. After you’ve established an oral care regimen, dental treats can help to fight against tartar and plaque buildup and dental disease in between brushing. Relevant Content: While dry cat food is often touted as a low-residue alternative to wet cat food, the inherent carbohydrate content of these foods makes that claim questionable. The high calcium and phosphorus content of dry foods can also contribute to increased buildup of tartar on your cat’s teeth.

At a Glance: 6 Best Dental Cat Treats To Buy

According to the marketing, these treats lightly abrade your cat’s teeth, scrubbing off plaque and surface bacteria. But there’s a problem with this theory. Cats don’t thoroughly chew their food. Their teeth seldom spend enough time touching the rough food to benefit from any abrasive effects. If your cat has ever vomited after eating dry food, you’ve probably seen graphic evidence of this fact.

Our favorite cat dental treats are the Feline Greenies Dental Cat Treats. They are affordable and made specifically to reduce tartar build-up, all without artificial ingredients.

In addition to regular brushing, professional cleanings, and commercial dental treats, homemade dental treats can help keep your cat’s teeth healthy. Some people will occasionally feed raw bones to help break up tartar, though there are some risks with this. The majority of cat dental treats on the market are inspired by an old-school veterinary myth about dry kibble. During the 20th century, we were told that dry kibble was good for a cat’s teeth because it leaves less residue than canned food. Before we jump into the details about this treat and the rest of our top recommendations, let’s talk about the benefits of dental treats for cats and what to look for. Here’s Why Cat Dental Treats Are a Good Idea