Can, kibble, or both? Interesting article and comments.

[Princes mom]

I know this topic has been posted before, but I was wondering if there were any new opinions. I've always only fed kibble (Fromm and Solid Gold), but the more I read, I'm thinking of mixing the two. I read that kibble has more carbs than can food, so it can promote tooth decay. I was always under the mindset that kibble was better for their teeth, but apparently not
I plan on picking up a few cans of Fromm can food this Friday.
What can foods do you use?

Great info...
Canned or Dry Dog Food - What's the Better Choice?

[tokipoki]

I think the most important thing in terms of preventing tooth decay is a good brushing routine, regardless of type of diet.

With that being said, I like to mix! Mostly for variety and increasing water intake. Toki isn't very picky and will eat plain ol' kibble but sometimes needs encouragement getting started on breakfast. I take a small spoonful of canned food and mix it with some warm water to make a loose gravy (we are watching calories and the water really helps with fullness without the calories and also stretches the canned food) and mix in her kibble with that for breakfast.

My favorite canned foods that we use are Tiki Dog, Party Animal, and Weruva. We also use the Nature's Variety Instinct although I mix that with some canned pumpkin (suggestion I found here!) to cut down on the richness of the food. I've heard great things about Fromm's canned line and will try it eventually (they only sell it in the big cans as far as I know so it takes us a while to get through them ). I've also used like a 1/4 of a rehydrated Stella & Chewy's freeze-dried patty to mix with kibble as well. We do a lot of mixing!

[Princes mom]

I just read an article about which companies use BPA in the lining of their can food. The results will shock you! Wellness, Drs. Foster and Smith, and several others are on the list of those who do use it... Which Pet Foods have BPA free cans?

[Princes mom]

You are so right about brushing! I've started using a Rota-Dent toothbrush on Ian a few months ago, and he handles it very well. He has white, shiny teeth; his vet is impressed!

[lovespandp]

I don't feed wet, I personally don't see the need for it. Peanut does just fine with only eating dry, he gets treats and also he gets coconut chips sprinkled in his dry.. I would rather put coconut chips or fresh veggies in the dry than mixing wet food... IMO

Also the only think that is going to prevent tooth decay is brushing, and dental cleanings!!

[Princes mom]

I know about the brushing. I brush Ian's teeth twice a day, and rarely miss a day. I was worrying about the carbs...down the road, so to speak. I use preventative care. Ian has not needed a dental, yet, thank goodness! Did you read the article?

[wisteria]

Bella gets Royal Caine Puppy Yorkie with a teaspoon of baby food mixed in...usuallyo sweet potato or squash..............thoughts on this are welcome.

[mimimomo]

I went to Whole Foods couple of weeks ago & they had Party Animal canned food, so got a couple of those. I liked the ingredients & it didn't contain carageenan.
Carrageenan Just Don't Do It
Carrageenan Isn't Good For You: High Correlations to Cancer and Inflammation

Mine will gobble up the canned w/out chewing their kibble if I mix it together, so I give it to them separately. Mimi will nibble on the kibble fine if mixed w/canned. She's so silly, she actually likes tasting & savoring her food. loll

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Princes mom

I know about the brushing. I brush Ian's teeth twice a day, and rarely miss a day. I was worrying about the carbs...down the road, so to speak. I use preventative care. Ian has not needed a dental, yet, thank goodness! Did you read the article?

Ya I did.. I dunno- I personally just don’t like canned food, something about it, grosses me out.. LOL I honestly don’t see a need to feed it- If you have a healthy active dog. Peanut has a great weight to him, he is somewhat active.. and he has always had Dry food- I sometimes will give him a can here and a can there, but I would never mix it in his food on a daily bases. I would rather do something I know is better for him.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by wisteria

Bella gets Royal Caine Puppy Yorkie with a teaspoon of baby food mixed in...usuallyo sweet potato or squash..............thoughts on this are welcome.

That is fine to do, but why are you doing it? I personally wouldn't do it on a daily bases.. Those types of baby foods are great, stay away from anything that has onion or garlic, it is mainly the "meats" baby food...

I will give Peanut the Organic Baby food, I will always get the sweet potato, squash, peas.. mostly veggies.

You can also give her fresh veggies in her dry food, peas, green beans, carrots..

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Princes mom

I know this topic has been posted before, but I was wondering if there were any new opinions. I've always only fed kibble (Fromm and Solid Gold), but the more I read, I'm thinking of mixing the two. I read that kibble has more carbs than can food, so it can promote tooth decay. I was always under the mindset that kibble was better for their teeth, but apparently not
I plan on picking up a few cans of Fromm can food this Friday.
What can foods do you use?

Great info...
Canned or Dry Dog Food - What's the Better Choice?

There's a lot of evidence to suggest kibble is much better for the teeth than canned food. Just the stickiness of canned food is one reason it’s bad for the teeth. The chewing action is good for dog’s teeth and gums.

There is reasonable evidence that soft diets are associated with increased frequency and severity of periodontal disease, and that harder foods requiring vigorous prehension and mastication are preferable for dogs and cats. Diet and periodontal disease in dogs and cats - WATSON - 2008 - Australian Veterinary Journal - Wiley Online Library.

By the way, tooth decay isn’t the primary reason dogs lose their teeth. Dogs seldom get cavities unless they have a double row of teeth. Periodontal disease is the reason, but I agree with the others who say tooth brushing is important to help prevent periodontal disease.

[Schooby]

I feed Chase and Calvin Grandma Lucy's with their kibble in the morning, and canned with their kibble for dinner. I have done it since they were puppies, at first to get them to eat. They will eat just dry kibble (now), but I like doing it this way. Plus it's a good way to add water to their meals. My favorite canned are Weruva and Tiki Dog, but we use Fromm, Addiction, and Party Animal Organics.

[Princes mom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

There's a lot of evidence to suggest kibble is much better for the teeth than canned food. Just the stickiness of canned food is one reason it’s bad for the teeth. The chewing action is good for dog’s teeth and gums. By the way, tooth decay isn’t the primary reason dogs lose their teeth. Dogs seldom get cavities unless they have a double row of teeth. Periodontal disease is the reason, but I agree with the others who say tooth brushing is important to help prevent periodontal disease.

Isn't it funny that there are so many conflicting "facts"! I guess if it isn't broken, don't fix it! What I did was boil organic ground bison and fresh chopped string beans together to use as a topper for his kibble. I mixed about a teaspoon of it with 1/4 cup of kibble and he loves it! He'll have it a couple of times a week for dinner.