Brushing your cat’s teeth can be a difficult and timely process, which leads many cat owners to search for an easier and more convenient method of maintaining their cat’s dental hygiene. You might have come across dental cat treats, which offer your feline companion a crunchy snack that they enjoy while also benefitting their teeth. Most cats will willingly prefer a dental treat that they can eat over having their teeth brushed.
However, you must keep in mind that regularly brushing your cat’s teeth will still be necessary, while dental treats help to keep the teeth clean between brushes. A yearly check-up with a veterinary dentist is also advised for a professional dental cleaning.
There are many different types of dental treats you can offer your cat and each of these treats has properties that make them appealing for your cat’s dental needs. Check out our reviews of seven of the best dental treats for cats below.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
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Best Overall
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Greenies Feline Adult Dental Cat Treats |
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Best Value
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DentaLife Savory Salmon Dental Cat Treats |
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Premium Choice
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Purina Pro Plan Crunchy Cat Treats |
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VetIQ Minties Dental Cat Treats |
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VetriScience Perio Plus Teeth Cleaning Cat Treats |
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The 6 Best Dental Treats for Cats
1. Greenies Feline Adult Dental Cat Treats – Best Overall
| Flavor: | Roast chicken |
| Protein: | 27% min |
| Fat: | 12% min |
| Fiber: | 10% max |
The best overall dental treats for cats are the Greenies dental cat treats, which are designed to help keep your cat’s teeth clean, reduce the build-up of tartar, and freshen your cat’s breath. These dental cat treats are made with natural ingredients that contain added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to make them a balanced snack for cats.
They are free from harmful preservatives and artificial flavors and are low in calories, which makes them ideal for cats that are prone to obesity. The crunchiness of these dental cat treats is what makes them effective at keeping your cat’s teeth in good shape. The large size of these treats makes them ideal for large breeds of cats such as Maine Coons, but they can be fed to all breeds of cats.
2. DentaLife Savory Salmon Dental Cat Treats – Best Value
| Flavor: | Salmon |
| Protein: | 32% min |
| Fat: | 10% min |
| Fiber: | 7% max |
The best dental treats for cats for the money are the DentaLife cat treats. You get a 1.8-pound bag of treats for a lower price than most other dental cat treats. These dental cat treats have a porous and crunchy texture which makes them beneficial for removing the tartar build-up on your cat’s teeth that can cause staining and bad breath.
They contain a formulation of natural ingredients with vitamins, minerals, and added calcium and taurine for teeth health. Another benefit of these dental treats for cats is that they contain probiotics that aid in your cat’s digestive system while having an enticing flavor that many cats love.
3. Purina Pro Plan Crunchy Cat Treats – Premium Choice
| Flavor: | Chicken |
| Protein: | 32% min |
| Fat: | 10% min |
| Fiber: | 7% max |
Our premium choice for dental treats for cats is the Purina Pro Plan cat treats as they are full of wholesome ingredients and approved by veterinarians for dental health in cats. They are high in protein with real chicken being one of the main ingredients. They have been approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council to help control plaque and tartar on cats’ teeth while helping to keep your cat’s teeth clean and their breath fresh.
They are a low-calorie dental treat which makes them ideal for cats that are on a weight maintenance program and diet, so you do not have to worry about this dental treat contributing to your cat’s weight gain.
4. VetIQ Minties Dental Cat Treats
| Flavor: | Salmon |
| Protein: | 30% min |
| Fat: | 12% min |
| Fiber: | 5% max |
These dental treats from VetIQ are made in the USA with top-quality ingredients to form a healthy dental treat for both kittens and adult cats. They are formulated to help remove and control tartar on your cat’s teeth while freshening their breath. They are high in protein and contain limited ingredients, plus are free from wheat, soy, corn, and artificial flavors which make them a good treat to feed to your cat aside from the dental properties they provide.
They do have a salmon shape and taste, but the menthol smell used to freshen your cat’s breath can be quite overpowering for some cats.
5. VetriScience Perio Plus Teeth Cleaning Cat Treats
| Flavor: | Chicken |
| Protein: | 27% min |
| Fat: | Not Specified |
| Fiber: | 1% max |
This dental cat treats from VetriScience have been formulated to promote good dental hygiene in cats by encouraging strong gums, freshening breath, and reducing buildup on your cats’ teeth. They offer a crunchy outer layer that works like a toothbrush to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar and a soft inner layer with ingredients to support your cat’s gum health and release ingredients that keep your cat’s breath fresh.
They are slightly higher in calories than other dental treats we have reviewed but can be fed to cats that are within an average weight range. These dental treats feature many ingredients that have been clinically proven to aid in your cat’s dental health.
6. Emerald Pet Feline Dental Cat Treats
| Flavor: | Chicken |
| Protein: | 30% min |
| Fat: | 11% min |
| Fiber: | 5% max |
This allergen-friendly dental cat treats from Emerald Pet are ideal for cats that are prone to allergies from certain ingredients that may be found in other types of dental cat treats. The recipe features innovative ingredients that are used to fight plaque and tartar on your cat’s teeth while keeping their breath fresh.
They are grain, gluten, soy, and dairy-free, which makes them safe for cats that are suffering from an allergy to one of those ingredients. The fish-shaped treats are large enough to encourage your cat to chew them rather than swallow them whole, which makes them more effective at keeping your cat’s teeth clean.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dental Treats for Cats
How do dental treats benefit your cat?
Dental treats for cats usually have a crunchy texture that works as a brush to remove plaque and tartar from a cat’s teeth, which works by your cat chewing the treat to the point that it rubs along their gums and teeth. Some dental cat treats will be formulated with ingredients used to freshen your cat’s breath and dissolve build-up from your cat’s teeth too. Some will contain a mixture of both, with a hard outer shell and a soft inside which offers your cat both of the benefits.
A Word of Caution
Dental treats are not like regular treats: they are extra hard and could represent a choking hazard. Dental treats should only be given under supervision. Please make sure your cat has access to clean water at all times, and especially when receiving a treat. Remember that dental treats help remove tartar and keep the teeth clean between brushes but are not a substitute for regular teeth brushing and annual veterinary dental cleanings.
There are many ways pet parents can show their cat companions how much they love them. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is a beautiful alternative to your traditional cat treat and offers many benefits for both cats and their owners. Learn more about the NomNom here.
At Pet Keen, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Conclusion
Of the dental cat treats we have recommended in this article, two stood out as our favorites. Our top pick is the Greenies feline dental treats because they are free from harmful ingredients and the large size encourages your cat to chew them, allowing the treat to work effectively as a tooth and gum cleaner. Our second pick is the DentaLife dental cat treats because they are affordable and rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for your cat’s dental health and overall well-being.
Hopefully, our in-depth reviews have helped you find the perfect dental treat to help keep your cat’s teeth clean and healthy.
Featured Image Credit: DSchmidtArt, Shutterstock
