Although Purina Cat Chow brand cat food Indoor Formula doesn’t contain any specific ingredients to protect the teeth from tartar buildup, consumption of dry, crunchy foods, such as an of the foods in the Purina Cat Chow line of products can be helpful in keeping teeth cleaner. The cat’s chewing action acts like a toothbrush as particles scrape against the teeth to help remove plaque. However, there is no substitute for regular dental care. In contrast, canned foods aren’t as helpful in cleaning teeth since the wet food tends to stick to the teeth and usually doesn’t require much chewing.
The cat’s teeth should be kept clean to reduce the likelihood of the development of dental problems. Food bacteria and saliva accumulate and adhere to the tooth surface, forming a soft plaque. If plaque continues, chalk-like materials build up and form a hardened dental calculus on the tooth surface. If left unchecked, plaque and calculus buildup can eventually cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and of the membrane lining the tooth socket (periodontitis). A veterinarian can remove this buildup while the cat is under a light anesthetic.
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