Best Dental Supplements for Cats
Say cheese! Keeping your cat’s teeth clean is vital to her health. To keep those pearl whites shiny, check out our guide for the best dental supplements for cats.
Taking steps to keep your kitty’s teeth and gums healthy is important, so there are many different dental care products, from treats to toothpaste, that are specifically formulated for felines. These are designed to make it easier for pet owners to maintain their furry companion’s oral health, and to keep their breath fresh, in between checkups at the veterinarian.
If you’re new to feline dental care, continue reading to learn about some of the many dental supplements for cats that are on the market today. Keep in mind that there are plenty more where these came from, but these 10, which are listed in no particular order, can give you a clearer picture of what is available. And, remember, if you aren’t sure about what direction to take to keep your pet’s mouth as healthy and clean as possible, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian for some guidance.
1. Editor’s Choice: Pet Wellbeing Healthy Gums Dog & Cat Supplement
The Pet Wellbeing Healthy Gums Dog & Cat Supplement may help if your goal is to reduce plaque on your cat’s teeth, as well as prevent additional plaque buildup so your kitty can have healthier teeth and gums. It is designed to help your pet’s body resist oral infection by reducing bacterial growth in the mouth, and its ingredients may even help soothe oral membranes and gums that are inflamed. Plus, it might help make your pet’s breath fresher too.
This is an herbal supplement that does not use harsh ingredients or alcohol. However, read the label carefully before use to ensure you are administering it correctly, and to be certain you are giving your cat the right dose.
Using the dropper, you apply this product directly onto your cat’s gums and coat them with it. As you do so, avoid touching the dropper to the mouth, as you don’t want to contaminate it. The number of drops you’ll use will depend on your pet’s weight.
The ingredients include:
- Calendula flower (Calendula officinalis)
- Marshmallow root (Althea officinale)
- Goldenseal root (Hydrastis canadensis)
- Bayberry root bark (Myrica cerifera)
- Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)
- Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Prickly Ash bark (Zanthoxylum americanum)
- Coptis root (Coptis chinensis)
- Myrrh gum (Commiphora mol-mol)
- Coenzyme Q10
- Ascorbyl palmitate (Vitamin C)
- Zinc oxide
- MCT (Medium Chain Triglyceride) Oil
Note: It’s best to have your pet examined by a vet before using this dental product. Also, this supplement should not be used in cats that are pregnant or nursing. And talk to your vet before administering this product if your pet has been diagnosed with a medical condition, or if your pet is taking other medications or supplements, as they might interact.
2. Runner Up: PetAlive Oral-Assist for Healthy Teeth and Gums in Dogs and Cats
The PetAlive Oral-Assist for Healthy Teeth and Gums in Dogs and Cats dental supplement is an alcohol-free, natural, homeopathic product. It might help boost the strength of your cat’s teeth, as well as reduce inflammation and help with healing other oral health issues.
Because this dental product comes in a spray bottle, it can be administered with ease. All you have to do is spray it directly into your kitty’s mouth, or you can even spray it onto your pet’s food. It’s worth noting that all PetAlive products are made in FDA-registered, cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice)-compliant facilities according to the highest standards.
This product contains the following ingredients:
- Belladonna 6C
- Chamomilla 6C
- Coffea cruda 6C
- Hydrofluoricum ac 30C
- Merc solub 30C.
- Carya ovata bark extract
- Citrus extract
- Lonicera japonica
- Polylysine
- Purified water
- Steviol glycosides (stevia)
To administer this dental product, you’ll need to prime the pump before using it for the first time. Then, hold the bottle close to your pet’s mouth so that you can spray it directly into the mouth if you are not going to spray it onto your cat’s food or water. The dose for cats is one or two pump sprays, and you can use the product three times a day until symptoms subside.
3. Best Homeopathic: HomeoPet Feline Purr Dental Cat Supplement
The HomeoPet Feline Purr Dental Cat Supplement is a natural product that is designed to support your companion’s oral health. It may help improve a kitty’s bad breath, and it may even help with reducing plaque and tartar on the teeth, so it might be a good choice if you want to take steps to keep your kitty’s teeth and gums healthy.
This is a liquid that is easy to administer, as you can simply add it to your pet’s water or meal, or place it gently in your cat’s mouth if she will tolerate it. Plus, it can be used safely on pregnant cats, nursing cats, and kittens. It doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, and the manufacturer claims it doesn’t have any known side effects.
Just be sure to read the label carefully to determine the proper dose for your feline friend. Depending on your pet’s weight, you might need to administer anywhere from 2 to 10 drops daily.
This is a homeopathic product, and its ingredients include:
- Arsenicum album 12x
- Berberis vulgaris 6x
- Calcarea carbonica 12x
- Calcarea fluorata 12x
- Calcarea phosphorica 12x
- Calendula officinalis 6x
- Cinchona officinalis 6x
- Fragaria vesca 6x
- Hypericum perforatum 12x
- Mezereum 12x
- Plantago major 6x
- Silicea 12x
- Thuja occidentalis 12x
4. Best Multi-Pet: ProBioraPet Probiotic Dog & Cat Oral Care Powder
Designed for both canines and felines, the ProBioraPet Probiotic Dog & Cat Oral Care Powder is a natural, oral care probiotic product. It is formulated to help freshen your pet’s breath, as well as promote cleaner and whiter teeth.
Put simply, the blend of beneficial bacteria in this powder might help balance the bacteria in your kitty’s mouth by counteracting harmful bacteria, thereby promoting oral health. And this product is considered safe for all life stages and breeds.
This dental supplement is easy to use, as all you have to do is sprinkle one scoop of the powder onto your furry friend’s food just once per day. You don’t have to worry about getting anything directly on your pet’s teeth or gums, so this can be a great choice for kitties that don’t like you going near their mouth. The product is flavorless and odorless, so it shouldn’t affect your cat’s attraction to her food. However, you do need to be sure your pet eats the food within two hours of sprinkling this product onto it.
Ingredients include:
- Non-GMO Soy Protein Isolate
- Probiora3 (Streptococcus Oralis KJ3, Streptococcus Rattus JH145, Streptococcus Uberis KJ2)
- Silicon Dioxide
5. Best Vegetable Capsules: PetAlive Gumz-n-Teeth Dog and Cat Supplement
The PetAlive Gumz-n-Teeth dental supplement comes in the form of veggie capsules. Made in FDA-registered, cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) compliant facilities, this herbal supplement does not contain any gluten or artificial ingredients like flavors, preservatives, and colorants.
The ingredients in this formula are non-addictive and safe, and they may help promote the health of your kitty’s gums and teeth, as well as her bones and immune system. In fact, the only inactive ingredients are vegetable cellulose and organic rice flour, while the active ingredients are:
- Certified organic horsetail herb
- Spirulina thallus
- Certified organic dandelion
Because this dental supplement comes in the form of a capsule, and because the dose for cats is ½ of a capsule twice daily, you can open it up and pour it onto your pet’s food. Mix it into the food before serving it to your kitty.
There are some precautions that need to be taken with this product. For example, if your pet has a microchip, you should not use this dental supplement for more than six weeks. Also, you should not give this product to cats that are pregnant or nursing because its safety during pregnancy and nursing hasn’t been established.
6. Best for Breath: VetriScience Perio Support Everyday Health Dog & Cat Powder Formula
Another dental supplement for cats that is worth considering is the VetriScience Perio Support Everyday Health Dog & Cat Powder Formula. This powder is described as aromatic and tasty, and it may help keep your kitty’s breath fresh and her teeth clean, especially if she is not a fan of having her teeth brushed.
All you have to do is sprinkle some of this powder onto your cat’s food to help reduce harmful bacteria, as well as help prevent the formation and buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Ingredients include natural zeolites that might help in the prevention of plaque. And this supplement also contains probiotics that may help remove bacteria that can cause bad breath and play a role in plaque buildup. Plus, it also has cranberry extract, which may help support the health of your cat’s gums.
Other ingredients include:
- Yucca Schidigera Extract
- Taurine
- Zinc
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Enterococcus Faecium
Use this product as directed, and read the label carefully to be sure it is appropriate for your cat. The label will also tell you exactly how much of this product you should give to your kitty based on her weight.
7. Best Flavor: Wysong DentaTreat Dog & Cat Food Supplement
The Wysong DentaTreat Dog & Cat Food Supplement is a tasty product that can help you take a natural approach to supporting your kitty’s oral health. It utilizes the beneficial properties of ingredients like probiotics, cheeses, and minerals to help prevent teeth and gum ailments, as well as discourage the growth of bacteria that can promote bad breath and plaque. Plus, it does not contain any artificial flavorings or colors.
You can sprinkle this product right onto your kitty’s food. As an alternative, you can use it on a toothbrush if your pet will tolerate brushing. Or you even can give it to your cat as a treat that can be licked up from a clean bowl. Just be sure to read the label carefully to determine how much of the powder you should use for your kitten or adult cat.
Here is the list of ingredients in this product, to help you determine if it would be appropriate for your pet:
- Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Romano Cheese
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Calcium Lactate
- Potassium Citrate
- Salt
- Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate
- Chicory Root
- Yeast Extract, Dried Yeast
- Milk Protein
- Apple
- Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product
- Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product
- Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product
- Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product
- Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product
- Dried Lactobacillus lactis Fermentation Product
- Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product
- Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product
- Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Product
8. Best Seaweed: ProDen PlaqueOff Powder Cat Supplement
This yet another dental supplement for cats that comes in powder form. It is 100% natural, it does not contain any artificial preservatives, addictives, or gluten, and it is made from seaweed. It might help soften existing tartar on the teeth, as well as prevent plaque from sticking to your kitty’s chompers. And it might also help freshen bad breath as well.
To administer this product, which claims to work in as little as three weeks, you can sprinkle one scoop onto your cat’s dry food or mix it into her wet food once daily. You can start off with a smaller amount to get your kitty used to its flavor before increasing the amount that you’re supposed to be using, but don’t use more than the amount specified on the label.
The main ingredient in this dental supplement is the seaweed, Ascophyllum nodosum. Brewer’s yeast is also in the formulation in order to make it more appealing to cats.
Just be aware that this product is not recommended for cats that have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.
9. Honorable Mention: Pet Health Solutions Ora-Clens 1-TDC Periodontal Dog & Cat Supplement
If you want a product that will go beyond providing oral health benefits, check out the Pet Health Solutions Ora-Clean 1-TDC Periodontal Dog & Cat Supplement, which may also support joint health. In addition to supporting the health of your kitty’s gums, this proprietary blend of 1-TetraDecanol Complex fatty acids may also help older felines who have arthritis, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects.
This product comes in the form of softgels, and the fish flavor makes it appealing to kitties. To use it, you need to administer it orally. Read the label instructions, and follow them closely. For example, for a cat that weighs less than 25 pounds, you’d give one capsule daily for 30 days, followed by one capsule every other day thereafter.
For supporting periodontal health, you would simply squeeze out the contents of a capsule right onto your cat’s upper gums. If that’s hard to do, you can try applying it to your cat’s nose, which should entice her to lick it off.
Inactive ingredients include:
- Carob
- Fish oil
- Gelatin
- Glycerin
- Water
- Soybean oil
Note: Safe use of this dental supplement in pregnant cats has not been proven.
10. Also Consider: Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Dental Care for Cats & Dogs
Lastly, there’s Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Dental Care for Cats & Dogs, which is yet another powder dental supplement that you can consider if you want to support your kitty’s oral health, especially if she isn’t a fan of having her teeth brushed.
This easy-to-use, convenient product is naturally formulated to help freshen your cat’s breath, support gum health, and promote cleaner chompers by fighting plaque buildup. The powder is non-abrasive and tasty, and all you have to do is sprinkle some onto your cat’s food at every meal.
Ingredients include:
- Vegetable fat
- Natural zeolites
- Cranberry extract
- Zinc ascorbate
- Taurine
- Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product
- Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product
- Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product
- Dried Lactobacillus Ferment
Just take the time to read the label carefully to be sure this product is appropriate for your cat, and to determine the right dosage based on your kitty’s weight. Also, keep in mind that safe use in pregnant animals hasn’t been proven. And it is best to give this to your pet during or after eating so you can reduce the odds of gastrointestinal upset.
Not Sure What’s Best for Your Cat’s Teeth and Gums? Talk to Your Vet First
When it comes to something as important as your cat’s oral health, it’s always a great idea to talk to your vet when you aren’t sure about what path to take. He or she can examine your pet’s mouth, determine if a professional cleaning is necessary or if a problem like gingivitis is causing unpleasant symptoms, and give you expert tips on the right products to use to help your cat’s teeth and gums remain clean and strong. Your best strategy might be one that involves the use of a simple powder supplement, or you might need to use a combination of brushing, dental treats, and supplements to help get your kitty’s mouth into a state of balance.
What can I give my cat for dental disease?
When you notice your cat having symptoms of dental disease, you will have to take them to a veterinarian for a check up. Only a medical professional can prescribe proper treatment and pinpoint the exact issue – more often than not, your cat will need professional teeth cleaning under anesthesia, followed by measures that prevent future build up of tartar. Avoiding a visit to the vet can make matters worse and your pet’s dental disease more severe, so don’t delay it.
What should I consider when choosing dental supplements for my cat?
Not all kitties are very cooperative when it comes to oral care, so the first thing to consider is the method of administration – powder or liquid, gel or water additive. Next, be sure to go for proven ingredients, such as kelp, that help promote better dental health in cats. Avoid dental supplements with artificial ingredients as they can irritate sensitive felines.
How do you know if your cat’s teeth hurt?
Cats might not be able to tell us if they experience pain, but they can signal it through their behavior and physical changes. When a cat is experiencing tooth pain, it will usually manifest through drooling, bad breath, swollen and inflamed gums, vomiting, and decreased appetite. If your pet seems to be in pain when eating food or avoids eating altogether, it’s highly likely that painful teeth are to blame. Either way, whenever you notice something amiss, it’s best to contact a vet to make sure you’re not mistaking some other medical issue for painful teeth.
Additional resources:
Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.
More by Lisa Selvaggio
