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The Choice of Diet Affects the Oral Health of the Domestic Cat

Lookup NU author(s): Fernando Ribeiro da Mata

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Abstract

In this cross-sectional study, the gingivitis and the calculus indices of the teeth of N = 41 cats were used to model oral health as a dependent variable using a Poisson regression. The independent variables used were “quadrant”, “teeth type”, “age”, and “diet”. Teeth type (p < 0.001) and diet (p < 0.001) were found to be significant, however, age was not (p > 0.05). Interactions were all significant: age x teeth (p < 0.01), age  diet (p < 0.01), teeth  diet (p < 0.001), and teeth  age  diet (p < 0.001). The probability of poor oral health is lower in the incisors of young or adult cats, fed a dry diet in comparison to the cheek teeth of older cats fed a wet diet. Diet has a higher contribution to poor oral health than age. It is argued that cats’ oral health may be promoted with an early age hygiene of the cheek teeth and with provision of abrasive dry food.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Mata F

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Animals

Year: 2015

Volume: 5

Issue: 1

Pages: 101-109

Online publication date: 16/02/2015

Acceptance date: 09/02/2015

Date deposited: 18/02/2015

ISSN (electronic): 2076-2615

Publisher: MDPI

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani5010101

DOI: 10.3390/ani5010101

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