It happens to many dogs sooner or later, especially old ones. Due to a variety of issues, your pup could start losing their teeth, making it extremely difficult for them to eat traditional kibble.
When that happens, it can be hard to find suitable food to give your dog, especially one that they can actually eat. With that in mind, we took a look at the best foods on the market today for dogs with bad or no teeth.
In the reviews below, we’ll show you which foods should be easy for your pup to munch on, while still being delicious and nutritious.
7 of the Best Soft Dog Foods for Older Dogs With Bad or No Teeth
Here’s a canned food product that will provide relief without breaking the bank! Pedigree uses ground ingredients to come up with a loose texture.
It’s like a gelatinous mush that contains no big chunks. Everything is ground to a fine consistency, making it easy for dogs to consume without using their teeth at all.
In terms of flavor, most dogs will have no problem scarfing this food down! It’s made with chicken, beef, and liver.
It has a good amount of healthy fats, too. The fat not only improves flavor, but it nourishes the skin.
You can’t go wrong with Blue Buffalo. The brand’s dry formula is one of the best on the market.
This canned option takes all of the great qualities of the kibble and makes it available to dogs that can’t chew.
It’s a grain- and gluten-free recipe that uses wholesome ingredients throughout. Turkey, chicken, and chicken liver are the primary sources of protein.
Those meats are ground up into a fine mash that any dog can eat.
Because this formula is for seniors, it also has ingredients to support joint health and mobility.
The SmartBlend formula food from Purina One is like gourmet food in a can!
It contains no fillers whatsoever. Instead, it has morsels of soft meat that you can see.
This recipe doesn’t have a ground-up texture. But, the pieces of natural lamb are swimming in flavorful chicken broth. As a result, each piece is super tender and easy to chew.
Overall, this food is a delicacy your pooch will enjoy. It meets all of your dog’s dietary needs and is packed with flavor. What more could you want?
Hill’s Science is another brand worth checking out. Like the dry food products, this canned formula promoted good health with balanced nutrition.
It has lean protein from chicken and pork liver to promote muscle mass.Meanwhile, a mix of healthy vegetables provides a slew of vitamins and minerals.
The food looks like a stew that you could have cooked on your stove! It’s soft and tasty enough for even picky dogs to eat. Plus, it’s good on the digestive system and promotes regularity with its fiber content.
From the Wellness brand is this soft senior pate.
Specifically formulated for senior dogs, this food provides balanced nutrition that’s made to help your companion age gracefully.
While it contains a blend of premium proteins like chicken and whitefish, you would never know!
That’s because the food is ground up into a fine paste. The consistency might not be the most appealing to human palates, but to a dog that’s suffering dental issues, it’s a dream!
Your dog can lick up and get all the nutrition they need to stay healthy.
This food is part of Purina’s Prepared Meals line. It simulates the wholesomeness of a home-cooked meal. But, it’s already prepared and ready to eat!
This particular formula uses wild rice, sweet potatoes, and turkey. It features chunks of real turkey meat swimming in a flavorful gravy.
The food is wholesome, tasty, and nutritionally balanced. While it’s not ground up made into a paste, the individual morsels are soft and palatable.
Thanks to the lengthy cooking process, the meat is tender enough for most dogs to eat.
Here’s a unique alternative to canned and dry food.
The Honest Kitchen puts the food through a powerful dehydrator to create a moisture-free product.
Just add some warm water and watch the meal come to life!
Prepared meals have a texture that’s similar to mashed potatoes. It’s lickable, delicious, and super easy on the teeth. Best of all, the formula is top-notch.
There’s about 24.5 percent protein. Most of that comes from dehydrated chicken meat. You’ll also find premium ingredients like barley, flaxseed, oats, and more.
Purina’s Moist and Meaty dog food offers a nice balance between wet and dry food.
It’s firm enough to hold its shape and prevent wet messes. But, the food easily crumbled under slight pressure. So, your dog can eat these flavor-packed morsels without the pain!
The tender food is formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition. Each serving comes in portioned packets.
You can offer it alone, as a topper for existing food, or even as a treat. Either way, your dog will appreciate the snack!
The Blue Buffalo Bits are made for young puppies. However, older dogs with bad teeth can enjoy them, too.
Each heart-shaped piece is made out of real meat and wholesome ingredients.
It contains salmon, brown rice, flaxseed, and more. Like other Blue Buffalo products, there are no unnecessary fillers or additives.
The moisture content is about 27 percent. The treats are soft to the touch and easy enough for dogs with bad teeth to chew. The high-protein snack makes for an excellent training tool or reward.
Dental issues in dogs are quite complex. Your furry friend’s teeth go through wringer throughout its lifetime.
If you’re not careful and proactive about your dog’s teeth, they can suffer from a slew of painful maladies.
Periodontal disease is, by far, the most common dental condition that plagues domesticated dogs.
It’s estimated that over two-thirds of dogs over three years old have some form of Periodontal disease.
This condition starts innocent enough. Bacteria in the mouth create plaque, which sticks to the surface of the teeth.
Eventually, the plaque hardens and turns to dental calculus. Also known as plaque, calculus is a tough material that can chip off with a dental pick.
The exact process happens with human teeth, too.
The longer plaque sits on the teeth, the worse it gets. Sooner or later, your dog will experience gum infections. The bacteria move below the gum line and wreaks havoc on the tooth structure.
Slowly but surely, bone loss occurs.
The loss isn’t immediately visible without the use of X-rays. But, the effects of the disease become more evident as it progresses.
Veterinarians classify Periodontal Disease cases into four stages. The first stage is relatively benign, and there are ways to treat the teeth to prevent further damage.
By stage four, your dog has bone loss of 50 percent or more.
They’re likely in severe pain and are at risk of losing multiple teeth. The late stages of the disease make your dog susceptible to secondary infections, too.
Systemic infections can occur when bacteria get into the bloodstream. Not only are these infections life-threatening, but they can quickly spread to several organs.
Periodontal disease is no joke! It’s essential to seek veterinary care if you suspect that your dog is in the early stages of the disease.
Your dog’s teeth aren’t indestructible. They can experience trauma and damage. Dogs often experience structural tooth damage after chewing on hard items with no give.
For example, it’s pretty standard for dogs to get hurt chewing on non-bending toys, hard bones, or dry antlers.
Many of the dried treats you see on the market today pose a rather serious risk.
Any dog can suffer from a broken tooth. However, it’s most likely to affect those who already suffer from dental disease. Remember:
Periodontal Disease causes slow bone loss. As a result, those chompers become a lot more prone to breaking.
Physical trauma can cause both immediate and long-term pain. The nerves inside your dog’s tooth become exposed, which can generate tons of distress.
Tiny shards can also cut your dog’s gums or create a choking hazard.
Abscesses are one of the more serious side effects of a broken tooth. Even with a minor crack, bacteria can enter the tooth and make their way to the root.
The bacteria infect the pulp tissue and cause an abscess to form. The spot is full of pus and can grow in many different locations.
If not treated immediately, the infection will kill the tooth as the abscess contaminates the bone around the root.
It’s a dangerous condition that can only be treated with root canal surgery.
What Causes Bad Teeth in Older Dogs?
There are many reasons why dogs can suffer from bad teeth. Some canines are predisposed to dental problems due to their breed and genetics.
Others will lose their teeth because of accidents and traumas.
The most common cause of bad teeth, however, is a lack of dental hygiene.
You’ve probably seen the posters on your vet’s wall or heard them touting the benefits of brushing your dog’s teeth.
Unfortunately, most dog owners don’t go that extra mile.
Dogs are unable to take care of their teeth on their own. So, you have to take matters into your own hands. Vets recommend brushing your pup’s teeth at least three times per week.
Between those sessions, you can provide dental chews or toys to scrub those pearly whites clean.
It’s never too late to start brushing.
Even if your dog’s teeth are in bad shape, you can take steps to improve them. Consult with your vet and see what options are available and whether or not brushing now is beneficial.
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FAQ
What can I feed my dog with bad teeth?
- Primal Nuggets Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food — Best Overall. …
- The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Dog Food — Best Value. …
- Ollie Lamb Recipe — Premium Choice. …
- Purina Beneful Wet Dog Food — Best for Puppies. …
- Blue Buffalo Recipe Canned Dog Food. …
- Merrick Lil’Plates Mini Medley Wet Dog Food.
Is Wet food better for dogs with bad teeth?
What to feed older dogs whose teeth are failing?