Feeding Your Dog Canned Wet Food
Another great option when it comes to feeding your toothless dog is canned wet food. Many brands make wet food, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding something your dog will eat. Wet foods come in a variety of flavor options, including fish, chicken, and beef. You might need to try a few different brands or flavors to see which one your dog likes best.
Be sure to check and make sure there are no large chunks in the canned food. If you find any chunks, use a fork to mash them up before serving. The most important thing is to make sure that your dog is getting enough food each day, as they may be less willing to eat for a short while after losing their teeth. Fortunately, almost all dogs eventually start eating normally, even after major oral surgery.
Hydrated Kibble
One simple solution is to hydrate and soften the hard kibble your dog already loves. By adding warm water or broth to her crunchy kibble and allowing it to soften overnight, her comforting and familiar food will be easy for her to eat. Once the kibble has softened, mash it up with a fork to break up any chunks. Add a little more warm liquid or warm the bowl for a few seconds in the microwave before serving. Your dog’s gums are sensitive to hot and cold, and pleasantly warmed food will feel soothing on her gums.
Homemade Soft Food
A third option is to make your own soft dog food at home. This can be done by adding your chosen lean protein (beef, bison, chicken, or turkey) to a slow-cooker, along with fruits (berries, bananas, mango) and vegetables (sweet potato, butternut squash, green beans, bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach) that are safe and nutritious for dogs. Talk with your veterinarian about the best ratios, and the possibility of adding a vitamin supplement to the mix. Cook this mixture in your crockpot on low for 8 hours, let cool, add a grain like rice if desired, then blend until smooth. If you don’t have a slow-cooker, you can cook all of the various ingredients on your stovetop, then blend together until smooth. If needed, spoon some water or coconut oil into the mix to get the right consistency. Warm the mixture gently before serving.
What happens if my dog loses all his teeth?
A common question I get asked by senior dog parents is what to feed an old dog with no teeth! The good news is, dogs adapt very well and you’d be surprised what they can gum!
Before we jump into what to feed them, I’d like to take a bit of time and talk about why some dogs end up toothless, or with so few teeth in their old age.
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