Effect of Kibble Size, Shape, and Additives on Plaque in Cats

摘要

Forty mixed-hrccd cats complclcd a pcircitel-group. clinical study to compare supraginigvival plaque accumulation using a triangular or rectangular shaped dry-expanded diet, with or without an anti-calculus agent (sodium tripolyphosphate) or an anti-plaque agent plaque-reducing nutrient). The cats were divided into 4 equal groups based on plaque scores. Results showed that coating the kibble with sodium tripolyphosphate had no effect on plaque accumulation. Increasiitg the surface area and volume andcluifiging the shape of the kihhie was associated with a reductiing in plaque accumulation, and coaling the kihhie with a plaque-reducing nutrient further reduced plaque accumulation. The importance of a cornhination of both mechanical abrasion (chewing) and chemical interference (plaque-reducing nutrient) was deimmstrated in this study.