#CatDentalHealth with @PetSmart and Authority Dental Cat Treats #Ad #Sponsored

This post is sponsored by PetSmart, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. 
I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Dental Health Month, but Tails from the Foster Kittens only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article.

National Pet Dental Health Month was founded in 1994 as a way to highlight the need for caring for our pet's teeth. This year ®PetSmart wanted to team up with bloggers to highlight this need and provide options.

There are a wide variety of ways to help a cats keep their teeth clean. Some say chewing on raw meat and bones will keep them clean, some say using a pet tooth brush and pet toothpaste, but these are generally options people are unwilling or unable to do for their pets. Enter the dental treats! We were asked to promote the Authority brand dental treats. They come in several flavors: Chicken, Duck, Tuna and Salmon. We chose chicken.

I know we would all like to do what we can to help ensure our cat's long lasting good health. Taking care of one's teeth can help more than the pet's mouth and the smell of their breath. Plaque can build up and cause a great deal of inflammation and even infection which can have long term health consequences if left unchecked such as microscopic changes in the heart, liver, kidneys*. Brushing your cat's teeth daily is ideal, but do not let perfect become the enemy of good. Most cat owners want their cats to be happy, and brushing rarely brings out the happy purr in our kitty..

Okay Muffin, which option do you like best?

Really Mom? is that even a question?

Can I haz the treats??

Can you 'brush' our teeth too?

Dental treats claim that they promote chewing action that helps reduce plaque and tartar. They are made in unique or larger shapes that encourage chewing. If the cats chew the treats (sadly most of my cats ate them whole) the fibers in the treat are aligned to scrape the tartar off the teeth. A lot of people still think that feeding regular kibble will help keep a cat's mouth healthy, but that is actually been proven as untrue and many cats who eat regular kibble need cleanings just as often as those who eat other types of food - with the exception maybe of food formulated specifically for dental health.

So if your kitty has breath that could peel paint off the wall, consider scheduling a visit with a vet to discuss your options. It is never too late to start doing something in regards to your pet's dental health, and while we would all love to be able to brush their teeth daily, do not let the fact that you can't do that stop you from doing something.