There are lots of dental treats on the market, and because so many of them look like standard treats, I have always found it very difficult to evaluate the benefits as my fur kids seem to swallow without doing any chewing!
There are a variety of products to promote dental hygiene for dogs, but cats are another story. As a company Virbac specializes in dental products from chews to toothpastes dedicated to pet dental needs.
So, let’s talk cats first. The C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews are exactly that – a chew. I have watched both my cats going to work on them – and they chew on both sides of their mouths. Available in poultry and fish flavors, the chews feature an exclusive Dual-Enzyme System, plus an abrasive texture that when combined with a cat’s chewing action, work to reduce plaque and tartar helping keep teeth clean and breath fresh.
In my feline household we refer to them as “toothbrushes” and the treat is added to the food bowls when I prepare their meals. I feed a combo wet and dry diet. Ziggy will tackle his wet food first and save the chew for later. Tory takes hers out of the food bowl to play with – batting it around and then running off somewhere quiet to chew it. This is how breakfast is “plated” in the mornings. See photo below.
There was the start of tartar showing on Ziggy’s teeth (he’s eight years old), but according to my eye, it seems to have diminished since we started using the chews. But the proof will be in the pudding so to speak when we have our annual dental check-up at the vet’s office soon and the review will be updated to report the vet’s findings. The texture of the treat is designed for them to chew and it does its work as they bite down. No quick swallowing without it touches sides! I have seen my cats chewing on both sides of their mouth too.
There is also a large range of C.E.T. chews for dogs or all sizes. I got our testers Moose and her sister Rosie to try them too. Their Mom, a veterinary technician reported that the pair really chew on them too and it’s a welcome treat for both of them. Despite the variety of products available for dogs, Rosie’s mom deemed this the best choice for Rosie — and she really enjoys them.
The Virbac website has a lot of useful information along with data sheets. They don’t sell to the public but the chews are freely available online from well-known pet retailers. Wait until they have specials – and stock up!
The C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews for both dogs and cats get our Must Have Stamp of Approval. They are now a part of our daily routine.
February is pet dental month. Be sure to take advantage of any dental cleaning specials available at your vet. Be sure to ask!
