Being able to care for our dogs as they come into their golden years is a blessing we all wish for. But it also means that we have to be aware of the health issues that come with our older dogs.
Failing teeth is a problem many of us with senior dogs will have to face.
Thankfully…
…there are things we can do to make our dog’s life easier.
Switching to a softer diet can help alleviate the discomfort your dogs may feel, but it must be done carefully. We need to ensure that the nutritional value of the new food still meets the requirements of your senior pup, along with being an easier to chew option for them.
Losing teeth is, of course, something our dogs face as puppies too. Fortunately for us, those needle-like finger stickers that puppies possess are soon replaced with 42 adult teeth more suited to the needs of the adult dog and their diet.
The Best Foods For Dogs With No Teeth
The key is to give a soft, easy to munch meal that your toothless little one doesn’t have to struggle with. While you can feed any variety of kibble to your pooch by softening it with water or wet blend, I have compiled a list of specific diet options that you can give your toothless doggy.
Check out the best dog foods for dogs with no teeth (or bad/few teeth) and pick one that you think your hound will thoroughly enjoy!
| Top Picks | Top Ingredients |
|---|---|
| 1. Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Combo Canned Dog Food (Best For Adults) | Chicken By-Products, Chicken, Meat By-Products, Beef, Animal Liver |
| 2. Stella & Chewy’s Perfectly Puppy Chicken & Salmon Raw Dog Food (Best for Puppies) | Chicken, Salmon With Ground Bone, Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed |
| 3. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Senior Chicken Dinner Canned Dog Food (Best for Seniors) | Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas |
| 4. Purina Beneful Prepared Meals Chicken Stew Wet Dog Food | Chicken Broth, Chicken, Wheat Gluten, Liver, Meat By-Products |
| 5. Moist & Meaty Burger with Cheddar Cheese Flavor Dog Food | Beef By-Product, Soy Flour, Soy Grits, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water |
How to Switch Dog Food Without Getting Your Pup Sick
1. Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Combo Canned Dog Food
Ratings: 
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken By-Products, 2. Chicken, 3. Meat By-Products, 4. Beef, 5. Animal Liver
This rich ground dinner recipe by Pedigree is perfect to serve your furry buddy with no teeth. The soft meal is chopped and does not include chunky pieces. In short, this formula is easy to chew and include digestible nutrients extracted from high-quality ingredients such as chicken, liver, and beef. The scrumptious meal has a very soft texture that’s easy for your dog to chew. And since it is prepared from highly nutritious ingredients, your big dog gets all the essential protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals they need to maintain great health.
This complete and balanced diet makes absorption of essential nutrients easier and the perfect consistency gives you the surety that your precious pooch is getting the most out of every meal. The recipe also contains optimal levels of minerals and oils to nourish the skin and the shiny coat of your beloved hound.
Highly Recommended!
2. Stella & Chewy’s Perfectly Puppy Chicken & Salmon Raw Dog Food
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Salmon With Ground Bone, 3. Chicken Liver, 4. Chicken Gizzard, 5. Pumpkin Seed
Kickstart your toothless puppy’s growth with the delicious Stella & Chewy Perfectly Puppy Freeze-Dried Dog Food. Like a true carnivore’s diet, the recipe is made from 95% animal ingredients from chicken and salmon. This includes raw meat, bones, and gizzard to help your puppy build stronger muscles and ligaments.
You can soften the freeze-dried patties using water or broth to make them easier to eat for young puppies that haven’t grown teeth. Organic veggies like carrots, squash, and broccoli will deliver a decent amount of carbs to keep your pup active for the whole day. They will also develop a healthier coat and stronger joints with the help of chia seeds and green mussels. Most importantly, the food is fit for all breeds and is 100% grain-free, so you can confidently feed it to any dog.
3. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Senior Chicken Dinner Canned Dog Food
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Broth, 3. Chicken Liver, 4. Carrots, 5. Peas
Specifically designed for senior dogs, its complete and balanced nutrition includes additional supplementation to support your dog’s health and overall wellbeing. The wet-food option has a pate texture, which allows a toothless dog to eat without a struggle.
Prepared with the best and most nutritious ingredients, this wholesome meal can be served on its own or can be mixed with kibble for an additional kick. Feel free to further adjust the consistency by adding some warm water to the meal.
4. Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Savory Salmon Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Salmon, 2. Oatmeal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Cane Sugar, 5. Potatoes
Extra crunchy treats like dog biscuits and rawhide bones are off the menu for dogs with tooth problems. Fortunately, you can still show your dog love. This Savory Salmon Recipe by Blue Buffalo is a perfect treat for you canine challenged canine. Whether for treating or training, each treat is loaded with DHA and a variety of nutrients.
This natural dog treat has a soft consistency and is made from real chicken for protein and contains added minerals and vitamins. The blend also includes essential fatty acids to keep your dog feeling great from inside and out. The wholesome recipe of these rewarding treats makes them an ideal pick for any dog. Because of its soft consistency, it makes an excellent choice for dogs who have problems chewing.
5. My Ollie Turkey Fare
Ratings:
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Ground turkey, 2. brown rice, 3. eggs, 4. carrots, 5. spinach
Help your four-footer achieve peak health with customized diets from My Ollie. Our favorite recipe for canines without teeth is the Lamb Dish. It has the best combination of easy-to-chew ingredients like lamb meat, butternut squash, kale, and chickpeas. The recipe is full of proteins that promote muscle repair, carbs and fiber for greater energy, and a range of essential vitamins and minerals.
However, the best part about My Ollie is they customize each order according to the age, breed, and weight of your canine. You can also point out tooth problems in the questionnaire to receive meals with a smoother, softer texture. Although the meal plan is expensive, the long-term benefits of a human-grade fresh diet are unparalleled.
6. Primal Lamb Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Lamb Hearts, 2. Lamb Livers, 3. Ground Lamb Bones, 4. Organic Kale, 5. Organic Carrots
The raw freeze-dried dog food is the ultimate solution to feeding your toothless buddy a wholesome and nutritious diet. The nuggets are packed with the best ingredients and offer a great balance of nutrients to fulfill their primal diet requirements through the preserved nugget recipe. So no more measuring, grinding, or chopping needed! You just have to add water to the nuggets and the meal is ready. And since you are in control of how much water needs to be added, you can adjust the perfect consistency that your toothless little one can gobble up without any struggle.
With optimum levels of amino acids, natural enzymes, essential fatty acids, and a healthy supply of vitamins and minerals, this grain-free and gluten-free recipe is a great diet option for your pooch. Suitable for for all breeds, serve your toothless buddy a savory meal with just the perfect consistency and let them enjoy their meal to the fullest!
7. Moist & Meaty Burger with Cheddar Cheese Flavor Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef By-Product, 2. Soy Flour, 3. Soy Grits, 4. High Fructose Corn Syrup, 5. Water
Make your pooch’s day paw-some with this delicious blend of interesting flavors by Moist & Meaty – Purina. The recipe does absolute justice to its name and offers a complete and balanced meal with delicious flavors and tender texture for your dog.
To make the easy-to-chew pieces even more delectable for your toothless little hound, add some water to soften it up. The nutritionally rich blend is surely going to serve up the smiles. Feel free to add it as a meal topper on a wet food option for a burst of flavor and nutrition.
8. Purina Pro Plan Sport High Protein Turkey, Duck & Quail Entrée Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey, 2. Water, 3. Chicken, 4. Liver, 5. Duck
Originally designed for active breeds — the Purina Pro Plan High Protein Formula’s buttery pate texture makes it ideal for underweight dogs with no teeth. The food is made from turkey, duck, and quail meat to maximize muscle growth and strength. For carbs, it mainly uses rice which is easy on the stomach of loaded with calories.
Besides having a super-soft texture, the food is also popular with dogs that become skinny due to their finicky eating habits. It’s a completely balanced formula with a range of essential vitamins and minerals needed for a sharp mind, healthy joints, and strong immunity. Its 78% moisture content will also ensure that your dog is properly hydrated throughout their weight gain journey.
9. Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility Weight & Joint Care Chicken Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Brewers Rice, 3. Pea Fiber, 4. Whole Grain Corn, 5. Corn Gluten Meal
I wanted to add a prescription diet to the list to give dog parents an option for comfortably feeding their toothless dog with special dietary requirements. This dry dog food by Hills’s Prescription Diet is a veterinary recommended option for weight control and improved bone health.
Rich in protein and fiber, the recipe offers a great boost to your pooch’s unique metabolism to support better health. Since it’s in the form of crunchy kibble, add warm water to the bowl filled with dry food and let the kibble soak completely to become softer. Serve after a few minutes and let your little one enjoy his meal without trouble.
10. Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Bland Chicken & Rice Canned Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Water Sufficient For Processing, 3. White Rice, 4. Rice Flour, 5. Natural Flavor
The two-ingredient recipe and soft pate texture of Dave’s Pet Food make it an excellent choice for sensitive canines without teeth. Chicken and rice are the only whole foods in the formula that repair muscle and replenish your dog’s energy. The food is turned into a smooth paste and contains plenty of water — an ideal texture for canines that lack teeth.
You will get zero grains, red meat, dairy, corn, soy, or any unnecessary ingredient that might upset your dog’s sensitive stomach. They will still receive essential minerals and vitamins to maintain strong bones, robust immunity, and a healthy heart. Even though the recipe contains only two ingredients, it packs a ton of taste and is highly popular with picky dogs.
11. Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Turkey & Potato Canned Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey, 2. Turkey Broth, 3. Potatoes, 4. Flaxseed, 5. Fish Oil
Improve your dog’s quality of life with the allergy-free and easy-to-digest Blue Buffalo Skin & Stomach Care Recipe. The recipe uses a single source of protein and carbs — turkey and potatoes — to fulfill your dog’s basic nutritional needs. It has a soft pate texture that toothless dogs can easily gulp down without excessive chewing.
Essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are still included for proper body functioning. Blue Buffalo also eliminated ingredients that could trigger allergies, including red meat, by-product meals, dairy, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives. Owners have reported healthier stools and improved appetite, especially with toothless dogs, after switching to Blue Buffalo Basics.
12. Purina Beneful Prepared Meals Chicken Stew Peas & Barley Wet Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Broth, 2. Chicken, 3. Wheat Gluten, 4. Liver, 5. Meat By-Products
Make sure your pooch has his tummy full even if he’s toothless by providing him a nutritious meal he can conveniently eat and digest. The prepared meal by Purina Beneful is full of wholesome goodness and a perfectly soft consistency that makes eating easier. The meaty flavors and richness of quality ingredients make it an ideal meal that guarantees complete and balanced nutrition for your furry buddy. The wet-food blend is prepared in a savory gravy that boosts the texture and taste of this meal.
The high-quality ingredients ensure a premium blend with no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. This also guarantees balanced nutrition and great flavors that make it such a popular blend for dog parents. The soft consistency means you can confidently serve the delicious meal to your pooch. I am absolutely paw-sitive that your dog will love it!
13. Purina Pro Plan Savor Turkey & Sweet Potato Entree Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey, 2. Water, 3. Liver, 4. Meat By-Products, 5. Chicken
Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Entrée is our top choice for highly-active breeds that have difficulty eating due to periodontal diseases. It’s loaded with protein from turkey meat to repair and strengthen your canine’s muscles. Instead of grains, the recipe uses easily-digestible sweet potatoes to power your dog’s intense physical activities.
The mushy pate texture of Purina Pro Plan makes it easier to swallow for dogs suffering from cracked teeth or tooth loss. Purina also adds 23 essential vitamins to strengthen your dog’s immunity and omega fatty acids to make their coat shinier and softer. The food is 100% free from grains and artificial additives, making it ideal for sensitive and allergic canines.
FAQs
My dog is losing teeth. What does it mean?
There are a few reasons why your dog could be losing teeth. For puppies, it is a natural process, where they lose their temporary milk teeth and get their adult teeth soon after. In adults and senior dogs, losing teeth could indicate significant periodontal disease. This happens when bacteria form plaque on teeth and gums and damage the support tissues surrounding the teeth, leading to tooth loss. Aging and declining health of senior dogs can also cause their teeth to fail.
Is it normal for dogs to lose their teeth as they grow older?
Yes, that’s quite prevalent and can happen to 85% of dogs after they turn 4 years old. The key is to keep a check on your dog’s teeth and gums and provide nutrition that supports your canine’s dental health.
My puppy is losing teeth. Are dog teeth supposed to fall out?
Yes, just like human babies, puppies lose their milk teeth too. This happens between 14 and 30 weeks. The 28 milk teeth are soon replaced with a more permanent set of 42 teeth, including molars.
My pup just swallowed his baby teeth. Should I be worried?
The process of puppy teething is pretty much the same as human babies. During this period, you can find a few teeth here and there, but in most cases, your pup is likely to swallow it while they’re eating. It is absolutely harmless and there’s no need for you to worry.
How can I tell if my dog has dental problems?
Dental or oral health problems in dogs can be determined through certain symptoms. These include:
- Loose teeth
- Bleeding gum/redness in gums
- Vocalizing when they eat or yawn
- Blood on chew toys
- Bumps or lumps in the mouth
- Bad breath
- Bloody or ropey saliva
- Resistance in letting you pet their head
- Resistance in eating crunchy foods
Can my dog eat comfortably without teeth?
It can be a little uncomfortable at first, but as mentioned earlier, it is better for a dog to have no teeth than to have rotten teeth. Also, with time, dogs learn to cope and can eat without teeth. The key is to give them the right food and in the right consistency to make this easier.
Can tooth abscess be life-threatening for my dog?
If ignored and left untreated, an abscess can cause a severe eye infection, bone loss, damage to organs, and widespread tooth loss along with periodontal disease. In the long run, a tooth abscess can be life-threatening.
How do I feed my dog with no teeth?
Your dog needs a diet that doesn’t require hardcore chewing. Serve your toothless pooch a meal with soft and moist consistency that can be eaten without any struggle. Wet food options and pate-like consistency is great for toothless dogs. Mix and match the food with wet food toppers and smoother consistency to enable your dog to enjoy his food without chewing.
Can I still give dry dog food to my dog with no teeth?
Most dog parents switch to wet food options for their toothless dogs. However, if your dog is really fond of his kibble, you can continue feeding them too by softening them in water. Simply soak the kibble in enough water for a few minutes before serving it to your dog.
Is giving an exclusive wet food diet bad for my dog’s teeth?
An exclusive wet food diet doesn’t massage your dog’s gums or clean their teeth as they eat. This can lead to more plaque, which could potentially cause tooth decay. Pet owners need to be more vigilant about their dog’s tooth maintenance and proper brushing if they only feed a wet food diet to their pooch.
Can you pull a dog’s tooth without anesthesia?
Yes, there’s a possibility of pulling a dog’s tooth without anesthesia and the process is called anesthesia-free dental cleaning. The practice includes the scraping of teeth with an instrument – also known as scaling. Your dog may, however, get very impatient during the process since he’s not sedated.
What dental care should I provide my pooch?
While we are all aware of the basics, here are a few dental care steps you should carry out for your dog:
- Give them a good diet
- Give them chew toys
- Offer fruits and vegetables as snacks
- Pick the best dog toothpaste and toothbrush
- Carry out a routine dental checkup/cleaning to remove tartar and plaque from your pet’s teeth.
Will a toothless dog have his tongue hanging out of the mouth all the time?
Some dogs might find it difficult to hold their tongue inside the mouth without teeth. They end up with their tongue constantly hanging out of their mouths.
Does a toothless dog require brushing?
Absolutely! Even with the teeth gone, brushing is crucial to keep their gums clean. The food bits can stick to the gums and can cause infection if left unclean. Brush 2-3 times a week to keep up with your dog’s oral hygiene.
Can a dog’s diet impact on his dental health?
The calcium and phosphorous present in certain blends can help keep your dog’s teeth healthy. For toothless dogs, maintaining gums and overall dental health is also important. In addition to keeping up with their oral hygiene, regular removal of tartar and plaque can prevent gum disease and cavities.
Should I add vitamin supplements to my dog’s diet for dental health?
It’s best to look for food with supplemental vitamins and minerals present in it. This will ensure a complete meal that offers nutritional value to your pooch and also keeps the gums strong. However, if you think the food isn’t offering enough vitamins and minerals, there’s no harm in adding a few supplements after seeking permission from your vet.
Can I still give treats to my dogs if he loses all his teeth?
Yes, of course. You just need to be careful about the consistency of the treats. You can find tender and moist treats that are suitable for toothless dogs.
Can my dog experience other health problems because of losing teeth?
Bad dental health and periodontal disease can cause bad breath, bleeding gums, and tooth loss. But it is also associated with other health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
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Buyer’s Guide
Puppyhood, aging, accidents, and illness – any of these reasons can leave your furry companion without teeth. Fortunately, a toothless tail-wagger doesn’t take too long to adapt to this change and can go back to normal eating with your assistance.
In some cases, you can prevent this from happening, especially if you are consistent with your dog’s dental checkups. In case you are unable to avoid it, at least prepare yourself to feed your dog right to avoid further complications due to bad nutrition.
Let’s start with the basics!
Why Do Dogs Lose Their Teeth?
There are dozens of causes why a dog loses its teeth. It can be because of age, dental problems, lack of nutrition, accident, trauma, and many more. Regardless of the cause, it is your responsibility as a dog parent to care for your dog and ensure that he gets his required nutrition.
Dogs also lose their teeth as babies. It’s the temporary milk teeth that fall naturally. However, you must keep a check to identify any abnormal patterns. If the teeth are falling off too early or at a rapid pace, you need to take this into consideration and see a vet right away.
Identifying the cause will not only help you provide more suitable nutrition to your pooch but will also help you cure the root of the problem. If the problem is associated with dental health, you must care for your dog’s oral health before anything else.
Thankfully, if the causes are natural, you only need to focus on feeding your dog the right food. Unlike other dogs, your toothless doggie cannot munch on chewable or hard kibble. Your toothless little guy needs something that he can gobble up without much struggle. You can switch to wet food diets and other options with a soupy texture. You can even blend wet food with chunks to mix it all up with gravy. You will learn more about the food options in this guide.
Starting Your Dog Tooth Care Early
One of the best ways to prevent your dog from losing teeth is to start early. The right approach will keep your dog’s teeth healthy for longer.
Here are a few ways to keep up with dental care of your pooch:
- Your dog needs to be regularly evaluated for dental maintenance by your vet. This will keep dental diseases and tartar at bay. Your dog’s teeth can become susceptible to dental problems after the age of 3. A regular checkup will prevent dental as well as additional health problems in your dogs.
- Brush your pet’s teeth regularly and provide your precious pooch with the best home care. If your dog loses the teeth, make sure you continue brushing to keep your dog’s gums healthy.
- Provide your dog with a proper dental diet. You can find various brands that include nutrients that support your pet’s periodontal health and keep gums and teeth healthy.
You can also provide additional vitamin supplements to your dog for better dental health.
Potential Health Problems Associated with Your Dog’s Dental Health
Poor oral hygiene of your dog is often associated with other health problems, including heart disease and diabetes.
Here are five potential health problems that your dog may experience if their dental health care is compromised:
- Inflammation – Dental infections can cause bacteria, which can lead to inflammation. The response of the immune system can damage the tissues, cause pain, and even results in infection.
- Heart Disease – Periodontal disease is also associated with cardiopulmonary diseases such as endocarditis. The risk is significantly high in dogs that are already suffering from stage-3 periodontal disease.
- Diabetes – Diabetes and periodontal diseases are two conditions feeding on each other. Dogs that are diagnosed with periodontal disease can often have a companion case of diabetes and dogs with diabetes can often have periodontal disease. Infection and inflammation linked to periodontal disease can have a significant impact on the blood sugar of your dog.
- Pain and Sensitivity – Just like human beings, dental problems can cause pain and sensitivity in dogs.
- Broken jaw – Periodontal disease can weaken a dog’s jaw and can cause it to break. While there’s a possibility, thankfully it is not a common occurrence.
Treating the oral health of your dog is the first step in treating any of these conditions.
Everything You Need to Know About Feeding our Toothless Dog
First things first, you need to eliminate the chewing and tearing part from your dog’s diet. But this does not necessarily mean changing the food your dog already loves, even if it is dry food kibble.
Here are all the options you have for feeding your toothless dog:
Dry Kibble
You do not have to snatch away your pooch’s favorite meal! You can still serve your dog a bowl full of her favorite food if you know how to serve dry kibble to your toothless tail-wagger. Soak the kibble in warm water, beef broth, chicken broth, or gravy to the bowl and let sit for a few minutes until the kibble softens. Mashup the kibble as per your dog’s preference and feed her a soft consistency that she can easily eat. If needed, don’t hesitate to grind the kibble in a food processor to mash it up.
Wet food
You can also pick a canned soft pureed variety with gravy and chunks of meat and vegetables. Blend the ingredients in the gravy using a food processor if your dog doesn’t like the chunks. You can also pick a pate form that’s already completely mashed, which your toothless pooch can thoroughly enjoy.
Dehydrated food
Dehydrated or air-freeze food is a proper meal that’s in its driest form. The idea is to adjust the consistency by adding water or broth to the mixture. This gives you the opportunity to feed a complete meal to your pooch and in a form that your dog can enjoy without any struggle.
Conclusion
While I have included a list of the best dog foods and treats for dogs with no teeth, it is always a good idea to speak with your vet about your dog’s diet. If the reasons for falling teeth are natural, you can continue giving your dog the food you are already giving – just in a softer form. In case you want to switch to a different diet, you can pick a suitable one from the list I have shared.
With all this information in hand, you can save your dog from becoming malnourished and sick. As far as their dental treatment is concerned, make sure you consult a professional and get the best treatment done.
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