Canned Soft Dog Food
Another option is to feed your dog canned dog food. Almost every dog food brand that makes crunchy kibble also makes canned, soft food, so you can stick with the brand you trust. These dog foods are formulated to meet the nutrition requirements your dog needs on a daily basis. Some canned foods, especially those advertised as containing “gravy” may still contain chunks that need to be mashed before serving to your dog. Be sure to gently warm this food before serving. Commit to finding the kind of food your dog enjoys most. When your dog doesn’t have teeth, it is extra important to do everything you can to keep her eating an appropriate daily amount.
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.
It’s not just wet food forever …
Your dog’s beautiful smile might be missing a tooth or two (or maybe even all of them), but does that affect what she can and can’t eat?
When it comes to feeding a pup with missing or no teeth, it’s really not as complicated as you might think.
The Dodo spoke with Dr. Heather DiGiacomo, a veterinarian with Newtown Square Veterinary Hospital in Pennsylvania, who explained what to feed your dog if she has fewer chompers than her fellow pups.
There are a bunch of reasons why your dog might be missing a tooth.
“Some puppies never develop or grow certain teeth, so they will be missing as the dog gets older,” Dr. DiGiacomo told The Dodo.
Even if your puppy finishes her teething phase with all of her adult teeth, she could still end up losing them over the years.
“As dogs age, periodontal disease is very common,” Dr. DiGiacomo explained. “If periodontal disease is advanced, it can cause teeth to fall out spontaneously.”
An isolated event, like an injury, could also result in your pup losing a tooth or two.
“Dogs who undergo an anesthetic dental procedure with their veterinarian may also have surgical extraction of diseased teeth,” Dr. DiGiacomo said.
5 Healthy Toothless Dog Friendly Treats
Krystn is a passionate pet nutrition enthusiast. She has worked in the pet industry for over a decade and loves to share her passion for animal welfare with others. She loves all animals but is currently channeling some crazy cat lady vibes with her four lovable, but rebellious cats.