Bye-Bye Brushing Battles: How Raw Diets Keep Pets’ Teeth Cleaner

Dental health is the cornerstone of full-body vitality - and keeping your pet’s pearly whites in top condition is one of the best ways to ensure that your dog or cat lives a long, happy life. Choosing the right food and treats to support clean teeth and dental hygiene is a step in the right direction!

Statistics show that up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats are diagnosed with some form of dental disease by the time they’re two years old ¹. One of the leading causes of dental disease is tartar buildup. Tartar forms when plaque, a sticky film produced by bacteria, hardens on the teeth. These bacteria thrive on starches and sugars present in many conventional pet foods, like kibble. Since Vital Essentials is formulated with meat and no plant material, there are little to no starches in our foods, which means less tartar buildup for your pet! Additionally, one study ² found that dogs fed a raw diet scored better in multiple health markers including dental health - and the longer the dogs were fed raw, the better their scores were.

There’s also evidence that the abrasion of chewing crunchy food and treats helps clean teeth and stimulate gums, which may prevent tartar buildup and strengthen your pet’s teeth. With several crunchy texture options, Vital Essentials’ crunchy nibs, raw bar treats, and treat bites help to support better dental health!

By choosing Vital Essentials raw dog and cat food, you're not just providing a diet rich in high-quality, biologically appropriate nutrition—you’re also supporting your pet’s dental health in a natural, effective way. A healthy mouth means a healthier, happier pet—so give them the best chance at a vibrant life with the power of raw nutrition!

¹ Wiggs RB, Lobprise HB. Periodontology. In: Veterinary Dentistry: Principals and Practice. Philadelphia: Lippencott-Raven; 1997:186-231

² Kristina Hiney, Lara Sypniewski, Pratyaydipta Rudra, Adel Pezeshki, Dianne McFarlane, Clinical health markers in dogs fed raw meat-based or commercial extruded kibble diets, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 99, Issue 6, June 2021, skab133, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab133