I was recently asked by The J.M Smucker Company to create some unique tips for using a product and I wanted to share with you.
Did you know that by the time cats reach adulthood they have a whopping 30 teeth, which is only two less than an adult human? For a domestic cat, taking care of all of those teeth isn't easy. Unlike their wild counterparts they do not often chew on bones and grass, nor can they brush them as humans do. Which explains why 85% of cats show signs of oral disease by 3 years of age! Of course, we can take our cats to the veterinarian for dental cleanings, but I prefer to try to prolong those expensive vet's visits by taking care of my cat's teeth at home as much as possible, which includes giving them all treats that help with dental hygiene.
The good news is, there are signs to look for and ways to both prevent and treat the problem. That fishy smell your cat likes to puff into your face as it purrs? Perfectly normal. But if your cats breathe legitimately makes you want to gag with a strong odor - then it's a strong sign he or she is having oral problems, often related to gum disease and/or tooth decay.
Get a thorough checkup at your cat's yearly physical. A dental check up probably isn't on your short list of things to discuss with your vet but it should be. In addition to asking your vet to look at your feline friend's teeth, let your vet know if your cat has been experiencing bad breath or oral bleeding.
Just like people, one of the most crucial aspects of preventing oral disease and establishing dental hygiene is diet. Feeding your cats a combination of wet and dry foods as well as deboned raw meat (think Fish, Beef and Rabbit) will help keep your cat's teeth healthy.
Tartar control treats are a great addition to a healthy diet. Give them to your cat daily or use them as a reward for good behavior/learning tricks. Your cat will never know it's actually just to get their teeth clean. On a recent trip to Walmart I picked up the new Meow Mix Brushing Bites. They're a tasty, crunchy treat that help keep cats teeth clean by reducing plaque and tartar.
Hazel is my most finicky cat, so she's usually my prime testing subject when it comes to new treats and food. She saw that bag and immediately came running - she has a slight catnip addiction and probably thought it was a new bag of catnip...
Meow Mix Brushing Bites are made with real chicken or salmon and fortified with vitamin D and calcium to help support strong teeth and bones. We love spoiling our cats, and it's always nice to know that we can give a tasty treat to help take care of their teeth - something we can both smile about! I was so happy that ALL of the cats loved these new Meow Mix Brushing Bites!
You can try a tasty take on dental treats and pick up Meow Mix Brushing Bites, available at Walmart! The product can be found at your local Walmart and will also be available on Walmart.com soon. For now, you can find out more about Meow Mix Brushing Bites here.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine.
