cat teeth cleaning, dental, urine crystallization, health risks, dry cat food Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

Transcription of radio talk show

Dry Cat Food vs Web Cat Food? - Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Cat owner asks about risks with dry cat food, specific diets to avoid crystallization in feline urinary tract?

Answer (Veterinarian) 

Sure, so your talking about Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. What we know about that particular condition is that years ago there were pet foods that contributed towards crystal formation in the bladder that contributed to that particular problem. Now, most, if not all, pet foods are formulated to reduce the potential for those crystals to form. We still do have cats that have a genetic predisposition to having Lower Urinary Tract Disease. Most commonly now it is,... 

Question - My vet wants me to give my cat hard cat food to help her teeth - how to help her teeth?

The gold standard for keeping teeth clean is brushing, but I can tell you I know that is a big challenge as I have tried to do it with my own cats. So, brushing is the gold standard, but you can also use a variety of products that you can wipe on the teeth - specifically the enzyme based tooth paste products. If your cat has a predisposition to Lower Urinary Tract Disease then  you should have your cat on the preventative diet. If it doesn't have that specific predisposition and has never been diagnosed with it. Then there is no need necessarily for your cat to be on that diet. We do tend to see less often Lower Urinary Tract Disease issues in older cats because they often have a more watery urine as a result of aging of their kidneys.

How does the enzyme tooth paste work?

It helps to remove the bacteria cell wall that the bacteria uses to stick onto the teeth. So it helps bacteria to be killed naturally by the saliva by taking away the protective coat, and it helps to reduct their stickiness on the teeth.

Ask the Vet - monthly phone in radio program. Listeners can call in to Dr. Chambers with questions about their pets.  CFAX 1070