what to feed older cats who have trouble chewing

The 7 Best Cat Food for Older Cats with Bad Teeth

1. Smalls Human-Grade Fresh Raw Cat Food – Best Overall. Click Here & Use Code Hepper2022 to Save 33% on Smalls! ...
2. Fancy Feast Chicken Classic Palette for Seniors 7+ – Best Value. What cat doesn’t love Fancy Feast? ...
3. Royal Canin Aging 12+ Loaf in Sauce Canned Cat Food – Premium Choice. ...
4. Purina Pro Plan Senior Canned Wet Cat Food. ...

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Full Answer

What is the best cat food for older cats with teeth problems?

If you’re looking for the best cat food for older cats with teeth problems, fresh food provides the ideal combination of quality nutrition and palatability. Fresh food is at the top of the pack when it comes to nutritional integrity and it is also easy for cats with dental problems to chew and digest.

What can I give my Cat if he doesn't want to eat?

There are also commercial flavor enhancers you can add to your cat’s food and special therapeutic foods that are formulated specifically for sick or elderly pets who don't want to eat. Ask your veterinarian for details.

Is wet food easier to chew on for cats with bad teeth?

Not only is wet food easier to chew for cats with severe dental problems, but it is also higher in moisture and protein content than most dry foods.

What should I Feed my senior cat?

According to Dr. Becker, the most important thing in feeding senior cats is to provide them with the highest quality protein. Feeding a highly digestible protein that contains high moisture content makes it so much easier for their aging organs to process.

What to feed a cat that can't chew?

Surprisingly, many cats will continue to eat their usual dry food or without any teeth. Other recommended food choices for cats with no teeth include softened kibble (this can be accomplished by adding hot water or hot chicken broth to dry kibble and letting it soak for a few minutes) and canned food.

Do older cats have a hard time eating dry food?

Dry food contains only about 10 percent water and therefore isn't as hydrating as wet food. Dry food may also be hard for older cats to eat if they have dental issues, like missing or sensitive teeth. It's best to feed senior cats dry food as a treat only or not at all if they have tooth problems.

Why is my cat having a hard time chewing?

Oral dysphagia can be caused by dental disease, tongue paralysis, paralysis of the jaw, swelling or wasting away of the chewing muscles, or by an inability to open the mouth. Cats with oral dysphagia often eat in an altered way, such as tilting the head to one side or throwing the head backward while eating.

What is the best thing to feed an old cat?

Raw or “gently cooked” fresh food is an excellent diet for elderly cats. Dr. Becker recommends that if it is impossible to feed raw that dehydrated or freeze-dried balanced food reconstituted with plenty of water is good second choice. However, feeding an all dry-food diet in the long run will cause problems.

Is there a dry cat food that is soft?

If you're looking for soft dry food that is slightly more budget-friendly, the Friskies Tender and Crunchy Combo is the best soft dry cat food for the money. This kibble is crunchy yet tender, is loaded with antioxidants and essential omega fatty acids, and is 100% balanced and complete.

Is Wet food better for senior cats?

Wet food is easier for many senior cats to manage, and the increased moisture content is important for digestion and kidney health as well. If your cat insists on dry food, try using moisture-rich wet food as a topper.

How do I make my cat chew his food?

While meting out the food for a cat throughout the day means they will not eat as much in one sitting, it won't necessarily change how fast they eat. In fact, they may eat it even quicker if they think more will come. Anti-voracity feeding dishes are one of the best ways to slow down eating and encourage chewing.

How can I soften my old cat's cat food?

Add Water One of the easiest ways to make dry cat food softer is to simply add water. The dry food should soak up the water quickly, making it softer. You can microwave it slightly to speed up this process and make it squishier, if necessary. For most cats, adding a bit of extra water is more than enough.

Why do older cats stop eating dry food?

Checkup Time. Of course, if your cat isn't eating his dry food anymore, it could indicate a health issue. Infections and diseases like cancer, liver failure, kidney failure and gastrointestinal problems can all make a cat lose his appetite, and these are all things you need to get treated sooner rather than later.

Is canned tuna good for cats?

Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.

What should I feed my 17 year old cat?

Senior cats need more taurine, a heart-healthy ingredient found in cat food proteins such as fish, poultry and beef. Feed senior cats a dry food that's 10% fat to 28% protein, or a wet food that's 4% fat, and 8% protein. All animals slow down, as they grow older, thus needing fewer calories and less fat in their meals.

How much canned food should a senior cat eat?

Most cats need 4-5 ounces of canned food per day, total.

Why do older cats stop eating dry food?

Checkup Time. Of course, if your cat isn't eating his dry food anymore, it could indicate a health issue. Infections and diseases like cancer, liver failure, kidney failure and gastrointestinal problems can all make a cat lose his appetite, and these are all things you need to get treated sooner rather than later.

How do I get my older cat to eat dry food?

Sometimes, warming your cat's food to around body temperature can tempt them to eat. If your cat eats dry food, try dampening this with lukewarm water or a simple chicken broth made without salt or condiments. If they prefer wet food, you can place this in a water bath to gently heat it through.

How do you soften kibble on a senior cat?

Start by adding water (or broth) to your cat's dry food. Let it soak for about 10-15 minutes. You can add more water if the food isn't soft enough. Drain any excess water, but don't stress about removing all of it.

Do cats stop liking their food?

Cats go off their food when they're unwell and have no appetite. The food itself may also have expired and gone rancid. Alternatively, the cat may be bored with the food and want something different. A loss in appetite can be concerning for owners.