For some pet’s a prescription dental diet such as Hills t/d may be recommended to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy and clean. Ever wondered how they work and what you can do to get the most out of your pet’s dental diet? Here’s some information and tips so you can achieve the best results.
Firstly products such as t/d have specifically formulated kibble (the individual biscuits). The kibble features a unique shape, texture and composition to encourage chewing rather than swallowing. This mechanical action created by chewing provides a gentle abrasive on the teeth during chewing, helping to breakdown the bacteria that make up plaque. Furthermore specific active ingredients and nutrients help reduce gingivitis.
If you are feeding your pet a prescription dental diet here’s some tips we recommend you follow:
- Dental diets are effective in maintaining clean teeth. If your pet’s teeth are discoloured or show signs of plaque then they need a dental check-up and possibly a dental scale and polish prior to commencing a dental diet (unless specified by your vet).
- The proportion of t/d or similar used for your pet’s diet will vary according to the severity and persistence of their dental problems, check with your veterinarian for the correct diet for your pet.
- Mixing t/d with other biscuits or food will reduce its effectiveness
- For absolute best results feed on a daily basis as a sole diet. Veterinary dental diets are formulated to provide a balanced diet.
- If your pet also has ‘wet’ or other food, it is critical that you feed t/d at the end of each meal. Just like we (humans) brush our teeth after eating.
Following these simple tips will help you to achieve the best results from using a dental diet to keep your pet’s teeth healthy and clean.
