Judging the Toothbrush in a Treat

With a dozen in my herd, I’m constantly seeking methods to ensure their well-being and happiness, including maintaining their sparkling teeth.
To be honest, this task is rarely solved with a toothbrush and twelve grumpy felines. That’s where the mighty, crunchy dental cat treat steps in.

1-Feline Greenies Dental Treats

The Twelve Tester Approval Rating:🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈 (12/12 Paws Up!)

Why the Herder approves:

The Greenies are, quite simply, the benchmark in our home. They are the one treat that earns the perfect score from all twelve of my Testers. A 100% approval rating from a herd of this size is practically a miracle!

• Abrasive crunch: Greenies have a crisp, porous texture that provides the necessary abrasion to clean the tooth
• Right Size: It’s large enough for cats to eat comfortably but large enough to ensure they must be chewed rather than swallowed whole
• VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) Seal of Acceptance

Cons:

While the large 21 oz container of Greenies is cost-effective for a large herd, it presents a serious security risk! My team of twelve testers is apparently quite clever. I’ve discovered that a couple of them shall remain nameless. However, they are definitely getting extra points for ingenuity. They have figured out how to open the standard lid.

The last thing a Cat Herder needs is a dozen cats throwing a surprise treat party at 3 AM.

Herder’s Tip: If you buy the economy size, do not trust the original container. I immediately empty the treats into a sturdy, cat-proof container with a genuinely secure latch. This small switch saves me from cleaning up an entire product worth of treats. It ensures the Greenies stay a controlled reward and not a midnight free-for-all.

2-Wellness Whimzees Natural Dental Treats

The Twelve-Tester Approval Rating: 🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈 (10/12 Paws Up!)

Why the Herder approves:

• Intense Scrubbing: The firmer texture and the ridges on the treats mean the cats spend more time chewing. This maximizes the abrasive action against the surfaces of the teeth. This is great for those hard-to-reach spots.
• Novelty Factor: The interesting shapes and different texture kept most of my testers engaged.
• The Downside: The two testers who abstained from the vote simply found them too firm. So, while they are highly effective, they may not be a hit with every single cat. The two cats that rejected the product have pre-existing genetic dental issues and are missing some teeth.

Currently, Whimzees are not offered in larger sizes. While this is acceptable for flavor and variety testing, it’s a point to note. So far, 10 of our cats enjoyed the chicken flavor, and we have not yet tested other available flavors.

3-Minties Dental Treats

The Twelve-Tester Approval Rating: 🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈 (12/12 Paws Up!)

Why the Herder Approves:

• Breath Freshening: The inclusion of natural ingredients like alfalfa and parsley is their primary appeal. While the crunch helps with plaque, the added botanicals genuinely help neutralize odors, offering a noticeable improvement in breath freshness.
• Crunch Factor: They have a classic crunchy texture similar to Greenies, ensuring the mechanical action needed to help scrub the teeth.
• Size: They are offered in two sizes. A 10 ounce bag is a good size for us.

4-Purina Dentalife Dental Treats

The Twelve-Tester Approval Rating: 🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈🐈 (11/12 Paws Up!)

Why the Herder Approves:

• Porous Power: The unique texture is highly effective at getting a deeper clean than just a surface-level crunch.
• Size: A 19 ounce bag is a great size.
• VOHC approved

Takeaways:

After extensive testing by my Twelve Testers, there is a major takeaway for any Cat Herder. Dental care doesn’t have to be a battle. It just needs to be delicious and consistent.

We found treats with the highest clinical backing, like Greenies and Purina DentaLife (both VOHC accepted), are essential. They are staples for scientifically proven tartar control. For those needing a little extra edge, Minties offer unbeatable breath freshness. Meanwhile, Whimzees provide an intense scrub for cats with strong, healthy teeth.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether you manage one feline or a magnificent dozen. The best dental treat is the one your cat will chew willingly every single day. Rotate treats that combine irresistible flavor and real abrasive action. This way, you ensure that every purr comes with a cleaner smile. Your cat will have a healthier smile.

If you have read my previous post,”My Morning Routine With Cats,” you’ll remember these crunchy little powerhouses. They play a starring role!