The chewing action itself produces more saliva and physically helps to reduce plaque accumulation. Salivary flow also contributes to protection of the [[:Category:Oral Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|oral cavity]] and [[:Category:Teeth - Anatomy & Physiology|teeth]] by bathing all oral structures and washing [[bacteria]] away. Saliva contains numerous antibacterial substances which contribute to the defense mechanism in the mouth but also contains products like lactoferrin which bind to iron, a mineral needed for bacterial growth. Other enzymes present in saliva help neutralize potentially harmful by-products released by bacteria.
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The act of chewing itself produces more saliva and physically helps to reduce plaque accumulation. Salivary flow also contributes to protection of the [[:Category:Oral Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|oral cavity]] and [[:Category:Teeth - Anatomy & Physiology|teeth]] by bathing all oral structures and washing [[bacteria]] away. Saliva contains numerous antibacterial substances which contribute to the defense mechanism in the mouth, but also contains products like lactoferrin which binds to iron, a mineral needed for bacterial growth. Other enzymes present in saliva help neutralize potentially harmful by-products released by bacteria.
==Cats==
==Cats==
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Many cats will not chew or spend a long time chewing. Cats tend to tear food into smaller pieces rather than spending a long time chewing and grinding the food. Finding a product that creates a good chewing action in cats, whilst maintaining their interest is not easy. Currently there are fewer products on the market for cats than for dogs to aid chewing.
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Many cats will not chew or spend a long time chewing. Cats tend to tear food into smaller pieces rather than spending a long time chewing and grinding the food. Finding a product that creates a good chewing action in cats, whilst maintaining their interest is not easy. At this time there are fewer products on the market for cats than for dogs to aid chewing.