Dental Diets And How They Work

Dental problems in cats and dogs can lead to discomfort, pain and a cascade of other health issues. One part of the solution is feeding specialised pet foods that do more than just nourish. They're designed to support your pet's dental health in a way that keeps their taste buds tingling and their teeth gleaming!

Dental diets are designed to encourage chewing and promote mechanical cleaning of teeth as your pet eats. They often have a unique texture or shape that helps reduce tartar and plaque buildup, which are the primary culprits behind dental issues. Additionally, some dental diets might contain ingredients that have been scientifically proven to contribute to oral health, such as enzymes that combat plaque or additives that support gum health.

At Oakleigh Central Vet we recommend Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d a highly effective premium food that support optimum dental health in cats and dogs.

Kibble Size and Density

Hill’s dental foods have a larger kibble size, allowing it to clean the tooth up to the gum line.

A lower density also prevents the kibble from breaking easily, increasing the time that the kibble is in contact with the tooth surface and improving its tooth cleaning ability.

Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d

Hill's Prescription Diet® t/d is recommended for pets with dental disease, including gingivitis, periodontal disease, tartar, plaque, stain and oral malodour.

The larger kibble size increases mechanical cleaning action which helps to clean the gums as well as the teeth to fight gingivitis. This product would also be recommended for pets 7 years of age and older due to the lower levels of protein, phosphorus, calcium and sodium when compared to Oral Care. Lower levels of these nutrients are more appropriate for mature pets.

These differences aid in the reduction of plaque and tartar and stain, which is why only Hill’s t/d is clinically proven to reduce the occurrence of gingivitis.

As we've discovered, dental diets are a scientifically-backed solution to maintaining your pet's oral well-being. These specialised foods offer more than just a tasty meal – they engage your pet's natural chewing instincts while working to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. With their unique formulations and clinically proven technology, dental diets have the potential to transform your pet's life, from healthier teeth and gums to improved overall health.

As always, we recommend regular dental checks with a veterinarian to ensure that your pet’s mouth is healthy and pain-free. To launch Dental Month, for the months of August & September we will be providing FREE dental checks for your pets by our nurses.

At this FREE check your pet will: