02/04/2023
Kibble contains starches and fillers that break down into sugar, contributing to plaque and a build up of bad bacteria. A study in Australia showed that dental health declined in just 17 days after switching from a raw to a kibble diet in dogs. Another study showed higher dental disease in cats fed a dry food diet versus feral cats eating a (raw) diet in the wild.
Unfortunately, dogs and cats often do not chew their kibble, even if the pieces are larger and filled with air. One study concluded that kibble did not result in enough abrasive action on the teeth to significantly reduce plaque and tartar. Furthermore, the kibble used in the study was a prescription diet which is not meant to be a base diet for a dog or cat.
🥇 The gold standard for good oral health in dogs and cats is daily brushing, just like it is for us.
Join my (free) February Dental Health Challenge here: https://www.drjudyu.com/dental-health-challenge
