The short answers are – no, and no. Quite the opposite in fact. Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins summarized it nicely in her book, noting that even though most cats today eat dry food, the number of patients that veterinarians treat for serious dental and periodontal disease is tremendous.
Dry food, with its high-carb load mixes with saliva in the mouth that adheres to the gums and teeth more than wet food. Dr. Hodgkins says that if anything, dry foods may even promote plaque and tartar formation- the precursors to gum disease and enamel erosion. And we all know that opens the door to expensive dental cleanings, downstream health issues, and stress and pain for your cat.
Periodontal disease in cats, sadly, is common and naturally we want to do everything we can to prevent it. Dry food isn’t the answer.
