What is the best cat food for older cats with bad teeth? Many older cats suffer from bad teeth, which makes eating difficult. The cat’s teeth can only be replaced naturally, and this process slows down as the cat ages.
This problem must be confronted head-on because it can lead to malnutrition and other complications if left unchecked.
There are various ways to help with this problem, but the best way is to make sure your older cat eats nutritious food. While it may be hard to feed your older cat because of the painful mouth, it is well worth it.
The first thing to do is talk to your veterinarian about the problem. Your vet can examine the teeth and help you decide what kinds of foods might be painful for your cat’s sensitive mouth.
Here we discuss the top 10 cat foods for older cats with bad teeth that can help you.
Table of Contents
10 best cat food for older cats with bad teeth
Several brands of cat food are healthy for older cats with bad teeth.
1. CareFRESH Complete Meal
This cat food is ideal for older cats with sensitive gums or those who have lost their teeth completely.
The pellets of this product have a soft texture that allows the cat to gum and chew at the food without causing further tooth pain. It is available in both a wet and dry option, so you can decide what your cat prefers.
Food Form: Dry Food
Life Stage: All life stages
Primary Ingredients: Dehydrated poultry protein, chicken fat, millet, pumpkin seed, potato fiber, turkey meal
Health Considerations: It doesn’t contain any grains, artificial colors, or flavors.
Pros:
◉ It has a soft, chewy texture, perfect for an older cat with bad teeth.
◉ The food is available in both wet and dry options for your convenience.
◉ It contains all the necessary nutrients for a healthy cat.
◉ The cat can chew and digest the food without causing further tooth pain.
Cons:
◉ It might be hard for cats that are sensitive to touch to eat with their paws on this product.
◉ Some cats may not like the taste because it is different from typical cat food.
2. Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Cat Food
This cat food is a complete and balanced diet for older cats with bad teeth. It is a wet food made of chicken, rice, and vegetables for added flavor.
This cat food has a soft texture that your older cat will enjoy chewing and swallowing without pain. It also contains vitamins and antioxidants to help strengthen your cat’s immune system.
Food Form: Wet Food
Life Stage: All life stages
Primary Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, peas, carrots, natural chicken flavor, ocean fish
Health Considerations: It has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It doesn’t contain any corn or wheat either. This makes it a food that older cats with dental issues can eat without pain.
The protein content is also at least 10%. It also has omega-3 fatty acids to help maintain a healthy heart and reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Pros:
◉ Formulated for senior cats
◉Real chicken is the first ingredient
◉Comes in two flavors and two sizes
◉Small, easy to chew kibble pieces
Cons:
◉ This cat food is expensive when compared to some other brands. However, it may be worth the price because of its delicious taste and high-quality ingredients.
◉ The formula may have changed since General Mills purchased Blue Buffalo.
3. Smalls Fresh Raw Cat Food
This cat food is made from raw, naturally raised chicken. It has a high protein content and does not contain grains, soy, wheat, or artificial ingredients.
This product is a great daily source of antioxidants and vitamins for your older cat. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids to help maintain the health of your cat’s skin and coat.
Food Form: Wet food
Life Stage: All life stages
Primary Ingredients: Chicken meal
Health Considerations: The formula meets the AAFCO nutrient requirements for adult maintenance. It also has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Pros:
◉ Will not upset your cat’s tummy with wheat, soy, and other foods that might cause allergic reactions.
◉ Made in the U.S.A.
◉ Its chicken and fresh vegetables are perfect for older cats with bad teeth.
◉ It is made of raw chicken meat, so this food is low on cost and is a healthy source of protein for your cat to eat daily.
◉ Made from fresh, human-grade ingredients
◉ Free from any preservatives, color, etc.
Cons:
◉ You need to move it from the freezer to room temperature, or else your cat will not be able to chew it.
◉ The food could be inedible for cats with a bad taste for chicken.
◉ More expensive than supermarket varieties
4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental Dry Cat Food
This cat food is designed specifically for older cats with bad teeth. Its soft kibble pieces are easier to chew and digest to make your cat’s sensitive mouth easier.
This formula is 100% complete and balanced for adult cats who need dental support. It contains nutrients that help reduce plaque build-up and fight tartar-forming bacteria in your cat’s mouth. These ingredients also help restore enamel and promote healthy gums.
Food Form: Dry Food
Life Stage: All life stages
Primary Ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, brewers rice, corn, brown rice, corn gluten meal
Pros:
◉ This cat food is specifically formulated for dental health.
◉ The kibble pieces are small enough to chew safely and digest easily.
◉ It comes in both a wet and dry option.
◉ Works for adult cats of all ages.
Cons:
◉ This cat food might be too expensive for some people.
◉ Not suitable for kittens under 4 months of age.
◉ Requires a prescription from your veterinarian
◉ Kibble is too big for some cats
◉ The first ingredient is chicken by-product meal, not a whole chicken
5. Purina Pro Plan Senior Chicken & Beef Wet Cat Food
This cat food is one of the best food brands for older cats with bad teeth. It contains real natural beef and chicken in its recipe.
The formula of this product contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help maintain a healthy immune system in your cat. There are also omega-3 fatty acids to help maintain your cat’s healthy skin and coat.
It comes in both a wet and dry option to choose what is best for your pet. Both versions contain easily digestible kibble pieces.
Food Form: Wet Food
Life Stage: All life stages
Primary Ingredients: Chicken, beef, natural chicken flavor, potato, peas
Health Considerations: The formula meets the AAFCO nutrient requirements for adult maintenance. It’s also free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
Pros:
◉ Smaller sized cans with good portion sizes
◉ Comes in a variety of sizes to fit your cat’s preferences.
◉ Made with real natural ingredients that will not upset your older cat’s digestive system.
◉ Comes in five different flavors and two formulas for cats 7+
◉ Provides your cat with the needed nutrients to maintain a healthy immune system.
◉ Formulated for senior cats
◉ It is very affordable, and you can choose which variety of dry or wet food your cat prefers.
Cons:
◉ You must freeze this product before serving it. The ingredients will be too hot for your cats to eat otherwise.
◉ You must feed this food only as much as your cat will eat since there are no preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors.
◉ Strong odor
6. Petcurean Now Fresh Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
This dry cat food is made with fresh, human-grade ingredients. It is rich in vitamins and minerals to help maintain your cat’s healthy immune system.
This formula is free from by-products, artificial flavors, and colors. It doesn’t contain any corn, wheat, or soy either.
The kibble pieces are also small, so they are easier to chew and digest for cats with bad teeth or dental issues.
Food Form: Dry Food
Life Stage: All life stages
Primary Ingredients: Chicken, turkey, wild-caught fish meal, pumpkin seeds, chicken broth.
Health Considerations: The formula meets the AAFCO nutrient requirements for adult maintenance. It’s also free from artificial flavors and colors.
Pros:
◉ The grain-free formula is made with human-grade ingredients. This is one of the best cat foods for older cats with bad teeth because it doesn’t contain corn or wheat.
◉ Grain-free and gluten-free
◉ Includes 100% fresh meat
◉ Includes fruits and veggies
◉ Great for cats over the age of seven
◉ Includes omega 3 and 6 oils
Cons:
◉ This cat food is not suitable for kittens under four months of age.
◉ The dry version is more expensive than the wet variety. The wet variety has a smaller kibble
size, though, so it might be suited for older cats with bad teeth.
◉ Pricey
7. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Cat Food
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Cat Food is specially formulated for older cats with bad teeth. It has all the ingredients to keep your cat’s mouth healthy and its teeth strong.
This formula is free from artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives (yes, even phosphates).
The food contains antioxidant vitamin E in its recipes to help protect against free radicals in your cat’s body. It has zinc, selenium, and a patented tooth support complex to keep your cat’s teeth and gum healthy.
This formula is specifically made for cats seven years of age and older to help maintain their oral health.
Food Form: Dry Food
Life Stage: All life stages
Primary Ingredients: Chicken, brown rice, corn gluten meal, chicken fat, powdered cellulose
Health Considerations: The formula meets the AAFCO nutrient requirements for adult maintenance. It also provides essential antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support your cat’s immune system.
Pros:
◉ Helps promote optimal Oral Care by strengthening teeth and gums
◉ Healthy for cats over seven years of age
◉ Contains vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to help maintain a healthy immune system in older cats
◉ Free from artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
◉ Gluten-free
◉ Formula specifically to reduce plaque and clean your cat’s teeth
◉ It can be used for cats of all adult and senior cats
Cons:
◉ Expensive if you buy larger bags of food.
◉ Since it comes in dry kibble form, it is not suitable for kittens under 4 months.
8. Now Fresh Grain-Free Cat Food
This food is the best cat food for older cats with bad teeth. It is made with human-grade ingredients, and corn, wheat, and soybeans are not included in its recipe.
This formula is also grain-free, gluten-free and preservative, and chemical-free. It doesn’t contain any by-products or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
There is also a premium prebiotic blend in all of the formulas that could help to improve your cat’s digestive health.
Food Form: Dry Food
Life Stage: Mature adults
Primary Ingredients: Chicken, turkey, wild-caught fish meal, Deboned turkey, potatoes, peas, pea fiber, potato flour
Health Considerations: The formula meets the AAFCO nutrient requirements for adult maintenance. It’s also free from artificial flavors or colors.
Pros:
◉ Smaller sized cans with good portion sizes
◉ Comes in a variety of sizes to fit your cat’s preferences.
◉ Made with real natural ingredients that will not upset your older cat’s digestive system.
◉ Real turkey is the first ingredient
◉ Formulated for senior cats
◉ Helps manage your cat’s weight
◉ Contains added vitamins and minerals
Cons:
◉ You must freeze this product before serving it. The ingredients will be too hot for your cats to eat otherwise.
◉ More expensive than other options.
◉ Some cats don’t like the taste.
9. Royal Canin Aging 12+ Wet Cat Food
Royal Canin Aging 12+ Wet Cat Food is formulated for older cats more prone to illness and dental problems.
It is grain-free, gluten-free and preservative, and chemical-free. It doesn’t contain any by-products, artificial flavors, or colors which is great news, especially if your cat has bad teeth.
This formula comes in various formulas that fit your cat’s preferences. There are formulas made for kittens, though these are more expensive than the senior versions.
Food Form: Wet
Life Stage: Mature adults
Primary Ingredients: Deboned turkey, chicken, lamb, salmon, herring, prawn meal
Health Considerations: The formula meets the AAFCO nutrient requirements for adult maintenance. It also provides your cat with vitamins and minerals to support optimal immune function.
Pros:
◉ Made with real meat and natural ingredients
◉ Comes in a variety of formulas to fit your cat’s preference
◉ Contains added vitamins and minerals that help support optimal immune function
◉ Formulated for cats 12 years old and older
◉ A gently-cooked recipe that is easy to digest for senior cats
◉ Easy to eat thin slices in gravy
Cons:
◉ Expensive if you buy larger bags of food (smaller cans are cheaper)
◉ Contains wheat flour
10. Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Senior Dry Cat Food
This food is grain-free, gluten-free, preservative, and chemical-free. It doesn’t contain any by-products or artificial flavors, or colors.
This recipe is very similar to the Wellness Core formula, except it has added vitamins and minerals to help improve your cat’s immune system.
Food Form: Dry Food
Life Stage: All life stages
Primary Ingredients: Deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken, salmon meal, herring meal, dried egg product, certified gluten-free rice flour
Health Considerations: The formula meets the AAFCO nutrient requirements for adult maintenance. It also provides vitamin E to help promote healthy skin and coat and calcium to help with strong bones.
Pros:
◉ Good ingredients for senior cats
◉ Gluten-free
◉ Grain-free
◉ Formulated for cats 12 years old and older are more prone to illnesses.
◉ Helps with the immune system and urinary tract health
Cons:
◉ Strong smell
◉ Some cats may not like the flavor
◉ Pricier
◉ It can be used for cats of all adult and senior cats
◉ Contains wheat flour
How To Select Cat Food For Older Cats With Bad Teeth?
As you can see, there are several different cat food options available nowadays. When choosing the best cat food for older cats with bad teeth, your top considerations should be their age and if they have any dental problems.
If you have senior cats, choosing a cat food formulated for older cats is always the best option.
If your older cat has dental issues like plaque or tartar build-up, make sure they only eat wet food or dry food that has been specially designed to reduce plaque and tartar build-up.
Here are some things to look for when selecting an adult cat food:
Protein:
Look for food that provides around 30% of your cat’s diet in protein. This will help to keep their muscles healthy.
Fats and Fiber:
The primary benefit of this type of food is that it helps control your cat’s weight. It also creates a feeling of fullness and aids digestion. Cats with bad teeth will benefit from the fiber content.
Look for foods with high moisture content to keep plaque build-up at bay and prevent tartar build-up.
Digestibility:
High-quality cat food is well balanced and should be fairly easy to digest.
Grain-free foods containing high-quality ingredients will usually be the best options for senior cats with bad teeth.
Treats:
Your cat deserves tasty treats, and this should not be sacrificed when you have older cats with bad teeth. However, choosing treats made with simple ingredients is important too. Avoiding wheat, corn, and soybean ingredients means your cat won’t develop allergies to these items.
Liquid food for cats with bad teeth
Another option is to purchase liquid food for cats with bad teeth. There are many benefits to this, and it is a great alternative to dry or canned food for older cats with bad teeth.
Some of the benefits of liquid food include:
1. It’s usually easier on the teeth than dry or canned food.
2. It’s easy to add a vitamin supplement (usually only sold in liquid form) that will benefit your cat’s overall health.
3. It’s great to use when transitioning a cat used to eating dry or canned food.
It’s easy on your cats’ mouth, and they won’t have to gnaw on it, which can be painful if they have bad teeth.
How To Choose The Best Liquid Food For Older Cats With Bad Teeth?
There are several important things to consider when choosing the best liquid food for older cats with bad teeth.
The first thing is to choose a low carbohydrate food for senior cats with bad teeth.
This type of food will control their weight and prevent them from putting too much pressure on their teeth.
If you have a senior cat prone to plaque build-up or tartar build-up, try choosing a low-carbohydrate food or a grain-free one.
Look for foods that have been specially formulated for cats with bad teeth as well.
The ingredients are the next thing to consider when choosing a high-quality liquid food for senior cats with bad teeth.
There should be a good balance of all the essential nutrients, including omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. These benefit your cat’s skin, coat, eyes, and heart.
Look for liquid foods with added vitamins and minerals to help support your older cat’s immune system.
What Can I Feed my Old Cat with Teeth Problems?
If your older cat has problems with bad teeth like plaque or tartar build-up, it is important to take steps to control the problem.
This means feeding them high-quality food that helps deter plaque build-up and tartar build-up and provides added vitamins and minerals.
If your cat doesn’t eat any of the foods on this list, try purchasing a liquid food that can be easily added to their meals.
What to Avoid with Best Cat Foods for Older Cats with Teeth Problems?
You will want to avoid a few things when feeding your older cat with bad teeth. This can be accomplished by ensuring you have the right food and nutrition to support a healthy immune system and prevent plaque build-up, tartar build-up, and dental issues.
1. Fruits Or Veggies:
Avoid fruits or veggies that contain high amounts of sugar, like bananas, strawberries, and carrots. These fruits and veggies can have a very high glycemic index, which can harm your cat’s teeth.
2. Canned Food:
Avoid canned foods too. They often have high amounts of carbohydrates and oils that can harm your cat’s teeth.
3. Raw Meaty Food:
Avoid any raw meaty food for your senior cat as it may contain bacteria that will cause an infection in the mouth.
4. Too Much Protein:
Try to avoid high protein foods for cats with bad teeth as it can put too much pressure on their teeth.
Conclusion
If you have older cats with bad teeth, the best thing to do is be prepared. Ensure the cat food you are feeding them has been made for older cats and check for signs of plaque or tartar in their mouth. Keep your senior cat healthy by providing a good balanced diet and liquids that add nutrients to their system if they will not eat a regular diet.
I hope this article helped you understand your cat’s age and how to choose the best cat food for older cats with bad teeth.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.
FAQs
What To Feed A Toothless Cat?
It’s the same as when you have cats with teeth, but you will want to consider what types of food are good for cats that don’t have teeth. As cats age, their teeth tend to wear down and fall out. This is perfectly normal, but if your cat loses all their teeth, your choices will be a little more limited when feeding them. The best thing to do is start with soft foods and transition them into wet cat food or raw food over time.
How Can I Feed My Cat With Teeth Problems?
Include high-quality wet food or raw food in their diet when you suspect your cat is losing their teeth. Try feeding them wet cat food or raw food right away to prevent plaque build-up.
How Can I Transition My Older Cat Onto A Liquid Diet?
If you decide to transition your older cat onto a liquid diet, it’s best to do this slowly. Start by mixing a small number of your cat’s old food with the new liquid food. Once they are comfortable with that, you can add more fresh food and less of their old food until they are completely on the new diet.
What To Feed Senior Cats With No Teeth?
Senior cats with no teeth are a little more difficult to feed. The best thing to do when you have a senior cat with no teeth is to try their old food in with the new liquid food and see if they will eat it. If so, add it to the new food and adjust over time.
Which Is Better For A Cat’s Teeth Wet Or Dry Food?
It really depends on your cat. There are many benefits to wet cat food, including that it helps reduce plaque and tartar build-up. Wet food is best for cats with bad teeth.
What To Do When A Cat Doesn’t Have Teeth?
If you have a senior cat that doesn’t have teeth, the best thing to do is start feeding them as soon as you notice they are missing their teeth. Feeding senior cats wet or raw food is what many pet owners do in this situation, but there are specifically formulated liquid foods for older cats with no teeth.
Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.