Best Cat Dental Treats
Our TOP Pick
- TEMPTATIONS Cat Treats are 100% nutritionally complete and balanced for adult cat maintenance
- This irresistible cat treat has a unique pocket shape that is crunchy on the outside and scrumptiously soft and creamy on the inside
- TEMPTATIONS brand is America’s #1 cat treat*
It is estimated that 50 to 90% of cats have some form of dental issue.
In fact, research shows that about 85% of cats ages 6 and older suffer from dental issues such as periodontal disease.
This disease is a condition where tartar builds up on the teeth, causing gum inflammation as well as a number of other conditions.
When gum inflammation reaches the bloodstream, your cat’s organs are put at risk. This could lead to other disorders that could be prevented if your cat had better oral health.
Here is a list of Top 6 Cat Dental Treats in The Market
*We reviewed all the products below – jump to review section here.
So aside from dental cleaning, checkups, and other dental treatments for your feline friend, what can you do to help them have better oral health?
The answer? Cat dental treats. These are kitty treats that come in small, crunchy treats that cats chew, cleaning their teeth in the process, preventing plaque and tartar buildup.
Why Buy Cat Dental Treats?
These treats are not meant as a substitute for regular veterinary care and dental work. However, they may prolong the amount of time in between your cat’s dental cleanings. They can also help to prevent periodontal disease with frequent use.
Cats are carnivores and their teeth are essential so they are able to chew on meats properly and have good overall health. In their natural habitat, cats in the wild keep their teeth healthy and sharp by chewing on tough meats and bones. However, because domesticated cats do not hunt and eat prey, they need some major help in taking care of their gums and teeth.
This is why cat dental treats are essential for your cat’s dental health. And because they’re incredibly notorious for being so difficult when you try to brush their teeth, these dental treats are the perfect solution.
Do They Work?
Cat dental treat manufacturers use scientifically-proven methods to create products that work. Across all cat dental treats, you’ll discover that most of them are small, crunchy, and loaded with vitamins and minerals. They also come in flavors that are favored by cats so your pets would love chewing on them.
They work to help prevent dental health issues but they are not a solution to oral disease when it’s already occurring.
They do remove tartar and reduce the bacteria that can cause dental issues.
What is The Importance of Cat Dental Care?
Though plaque and tartar might seem like mundane problems for your kitty, the progression of oral disease can cause more problems for your cat’s health.
Once the disease spreads, bacteria could reach the organs and bloodstream, causing more serious and pressing problems.
Gingivitis [1], periodontitis, and teeth loss can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your cat (buy Gingivitis Optimal Kit – to relieve gingivitis and promote better overall oral health). These oral diseases can lower their quality of life, lead to weight loss, and bring you huge vet bills (consider pet insurance).
When it comes to your cat’s dental health, prevention is always key, and this is where cat dental treats come in.
RELATED: Consider teeth cleaning with cat toothpaste!
6 of the Best Cat Dental Treats in the Market [Review]
To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve rounded up 6 of the most popular and most trusted products in the market today.
They’re delicious, loved by cats, and they’re among the best selling cat dental treats we’ve found.
So without further adieu, here are 6 of the best cat dental treats in the market:
1. Feline Greenies Natural Dental Care Cat Treats in 11oz.
Cats love this treat as they’re small, uniquely shaped, and delicious. Cats seem to love the chicken flavor best and they’re crunchy, which means your feline friends love to chew on them.
They’re made of natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals so they’re not just good as empty calories.
The treats clean teeth and freshens breath at the same time.
What we liked
- The oven-roasted chicken flavor is loved by cats.
- Vitamins include iron, zinc, Vitamin A, and Vitamin B12.
- Vet-recommended.
What we didn't like
- Ingredients may be natural but include wheat, which some cats are allergic to.
2. Feline Greenies Natural Dental Care Cat Treats in Value Size
It comes in an oven-roasted chicken flavor, with added vitamins, minerals, and taurine. The only difference between the value size and the 11-ounce tub is that if you’re not sure that your cat will like eating this treat, then the value size is a good way to start.
The 11-ounce tub may be too big to start with. If your cat doesn’t have a liking to the treat or the flavor, then that 11-ounce tub will be a big waste.
What we liked
- Vet-recommended
- Great flavor
- Value size is a great size to start with as an introduction to your cat
What we didn't like
- Bigger cats may find the treats small and might swallow them without chewing, which defeats the purpose of the product being a dental treat in the first place.
3. Feline Greenies Natural Dental Care Treats in Tuna Flavor
Aside from helping to promote dental health, this Greenies dental treats also helps minimize hairball formations and promote healthy digestion. With this tuna flavor, you get more health benefits compared to the chicken flavor treats.
What we liked
- Vet-recommended
- Contains added vitamins and minerals
- Added health benefits such as better digestion and reduced hairball formation
What we didn't like
- Not the best flavor in the Feline Greenies product line
4. Temptations MixUps Crunchy and Soft Cat Treats
The unique pocket shape helps to control tartar buildup as your cat chews on the small treats. They’re 100% nutritionally completed and balanced for adult cats, too, with their added vitamins and minerals.
Each treat is under 2 calories so your cat can chew on them many times in a day and you won’t have to worry about your cat’s weight gain.
What we liked
- Comes in 3 flavors in one tub
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Great for multiple cats due to the big tub size
What we didn't like
- If you buy it for one cat, there might be a tendency for you to overfeed your cat
- If your cat only likes one flavor, you’ll have to find all the treats in the flavor that she likes and this will take so much of tour time rummaging through the tub.
5. Temptations Jumbo Stuff Cat Treats
It also contains added vitamins and minerals that adhere to the daily nutrient recommendation for adult cats. It’s made of 100% natural ingredients and helps tartar control.
What we liked
- Jumbo Stuff treats are a little bigger than regular treats, which means there is more of it to chew on.
- It comes with added nutrients.
What we didn't like
- Cat owners have said the treats are very addicting and their cats display withdrawal symptoms when they run out.
6. Purina DentaLife Adult Cat Treats
It comes in a tasty chicken flavor and is said to help clean teeth from all sides. They’ve also added calcium, as well as taurine, an essential amino acid that’s needed by cats.
What we liked
- One of the more affordable cat dental treats that make teeth clean
- Calcium and taurine added, which is not found in other products
What we didn't like
- Does not freshen cat breath
The Bottom Line
Prevention is always better than cure and these oral hygiene chews for cats are perfect to help your cat have dental hygiene.
Cats are not as willing to have their teeth brushed so giving them these dental treats is like hitting two birds with one stone. You get to provide proper dental hygiene for your cat while they also enjoy chewing on delicious, healthy snacks at the same time.
However, these are not meant to be a substitute for a dental cleaning or professional care. If your cat is about to lose a tooth or there’s plaque buildup already that’s causing your cat pain, then you have to bring her to a vet who can provide the proper care.