Difference between T/D vs Dental Care cat kibble?

Is there a difference between bags of cat kibble labeled T/D and those which have stuff like "Oral Care" or "Dental Care" written on them. From what I've seen, they both claim to do the same thing. Also, the shelter I adopted the cat from told me to feed her wet food only as an "occasional treat" since it exacerbates tartar formation by getting stuck in teeth. From everything I've learned about cat diets, this is completely wrong since they'd be deprived of a vital source of protein and moisture. Could someone confirm if the advice I got was incorrect? Thanks for the help!

Difference between T/D vs Dental Care cat kibble?
What I've heard is that the special dental diets are larger pieces of kibble and they might be a little bit gummier.





But in the end they're all the same since DRY FOOD DOESN'T CLEAN THE TEETH! Argh, I hope some day I can stop saying that. This myth just won't die and it really peeves me when so called professionals keep spreading it. I wish they'd get a clue.





T/D sounds like Hills food and without even looking I can tell you that that is absolutely crappy food. Toss it.





And of course the shelter is completely wrong. While it's true that canned food isn't going to keep the teeth any cleaner than dry food, it does NOT promote tartar. If you're feeding a good quality brand, it will help promote a healthier mouth environment.





Unless you're feeding your kitty a proper diet of chunks of muscle meat and bone, you really should take extra steps to keep their teeth clean. Such as brushing, or feeding raw chicken necks, or using a supplement, or something.





So the advice you received was most definitely wrong. Feed canned food - or even better a properly balanced raw meat diet.
Reply:One of the reasons they say not to feed canned food is that a lot of it is high in magnesium content and that is really bad for a cat's urinary health. If you are concerned that your cat gets enough protein - which they will with any good quality dry food, boil some chicken and chop it up for treats. Your cat will love it. Relative to the T/D or Dental Care, I always thought it was the same thing.
Reply:when you say "T/D" are you refering to a HILLS Science DIet product?? becuase all of them are over priced junk...





and any in grocery stores who have "oral care" etc are junk too..





wet food is helpful for keeping their urinary tract healthy - cats should have 1 teaspoon of wet per day mixed with water to make a soupy mixture...





their dry food should have enough protein.. all from grocery stores DO NOT.. find one which chicken meal as top ingredient and you will be fine protein wise...





pick one with NO corn..and no by-products..
Reply:T/D, dental care, oral care whatever they put on the bag is a gimmik to get you to buy their brand of cat food. BTW what brand do u feed? Best brand I found is Merrick feed dry freely and canned once a day. In the wild 90% of their water intake comes from their prey. Cats can't absorbe water as well when just drinking it straight and eating only dry food. Cats eating dry only spend their whole lives patially dehydrated which eventually can lead to kidney and renal failure. Actually the best thing to feed you're cat is a raw food diet. Research it, you'll be doing your cat a favor and he'll love ya for it!
Reply:The advice you were given about wet food being bad for the teeth is incorrect. Wet food does not cause more tartar formation than dry food and dry food does not clean the teeth. Some of the prescription dental formulas may, but I think they are poor nutritionally so not worth it. My cat swallows the larger pieces of t/d whole anyway.





http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac...





http://www.catinfo.org/





http://www.felinefuture.com/nutrition/bp...

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