Did you know that many cats will develop symptoms of oral diseases, primarily gingivitis, by the age of three years old? As your cat ages, her risk for health issues will only increase and they may have trouble keeping on weight. Don’t let dental problems be added to your list of senior cat health concerns!
To avoid dental disease dilemmas, it’s critical to feed your senior feline food that is specially formulated for older cats with oral-related issues. In this article, we’ll explore the eight best cat foods for older cats with bad teeth reviews, and take a deep dive into how you can properly care for your cat’s tooth troubles.
The Smalls Fresh Cat Food is the overall best cat food for older cats with bad teeth. All of the Smalls fresh food comes in two textures – smooth or ground – and both of which are suitable for cats with bad teeth.
At the same time, the Smalls cat food is packed full of human-grade food and animal protein that will nourish your cat’s body. Unlike many other brands, the Smalls cat food is made from at least 80% protein, which is the purrfect amount for your obligate carnivore feline.
There are three protein sources to choose from, chicken, turkey, and beef. All three flavors are all-natural, human-grade, and safe for older cats with bad teeth. All you need to do is select the flavor that your cat will enjoy the most.
Pricewise, Smalls is a bit more expensive than traditional brands, but you get what you pay for with this food. The food is slightly more expensive due to its superior quality and preparation, making it well worth the price for most cat owners. Luckily, you can get 40% off your first order.
All around, Smalls cat food is the best cat food for older cats with bad teeth because of its superior quality and variety.
Pros
Made from fresh, human-grade ingredients
Free from any preservatives, color, etc.
Three proteins to choose from
Two textures to choose from
Cons
More expensive than supermarket varieties
2. Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Dry Cat Food – Best Value
Buffalo Blue Healthy Aging Dry Cat Food is surely the best cat food for older cats with bad teeth for the money. The long shelf life and low cost make this product extremely affordable. Buffalo Blue’s recipe is all-natural and does not contain any artificial flavors or by-products. The main ingredient is protein from chicken meat, and the flavor will make even the most persnickety cat’s mouths water.
Additionally, it contains vitamins to boost their aging immune system.
However, this food is available in only one flavor, so if your cat doesn’t like it, you’re out of luck. But that doesn’t change our ranking on it – it still is our top choice for best value, best cat food for dental health.
Pros
Affordable
Made from natural ingredients
Doesn’t contain any by-products or artificial flavors
Good for immune systems
Long shelf life
Cons
Only available in one flavor
3. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Cat Food
As your kitty ages, nutrition-packed cat food is crucial for her health. Many experts advise owners of elderly cats to feed them soft dry food, as they are easy to chew and will not go rancid right away.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Cat Food is an ideal choice. It is brimming with the vital nutrients your old cat needs and includes vitamins for healthy skin and coats. The inclusion of fiber aids in easy digestion.
While the cost is on the higher end of the spectrum, it’s highly recommended by vets. The food is made in the USA, so you can rest easy about wholesome ingredients and the utmost quality.
If you’re looking for grain-free cat food for your senior cat, look no further than Petcurean’s Now Fresh Cat Food. Your cat will enjoy decadent 100% fresh salmon, duck, and turkey, and 100% fresh omega-3 and -6 oils. The recipe also contains wholesome veggies and fruits including alfalfa sprouts, carrots, kelp, lentil, and spinach. The food does not contain any grain, gluten, by-products, artificial flavors, or any other fluff. It’s suitable for cats over the age of seven and also aids in weight management.
This product is on the expensive side but offers a lot of great nutrition.
Pros
Grain-free and gluten-free
Includes 100% fresh duck, salmon, and turkey
Includes fruits and veggies
Great for cats over the age of seven
Includes omega 3 and 6 oils
Cons
Pricey
5. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental Dry Cat Food
Specifically made for old cats in mind, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental Dry Cat Food contains premium kibble that creates a unique brushing effect as the cat chews due to the gently abrasive texture and cube shape. It will keep plaque, tartar, and other dental troubles at bay while giving your feline the vital vitamins and nutrients she needs to flourish. It also boosts her urinary system health.
This Royal Canin cat food is very expensive and requires authorization from your vet before purchase.
If you’re wondering what you should feed your old cat with bad teeth, this product may be your solution. Specially formulated for older cats with sensitive gums, the thin meat slices can be eaten easily. Your senior fluff ball will love the delicious gravy while you’ll love the high levels of essential fatty acids that promote good joint function and other health benefits.
Sometimes, the contents may be too much gravy and not enough protein. Due to it being a top-quality brand, it will run you a pretty penny.
Pros
Easy for older cats to eat
Good for cats with sensitive gums
High in protein and essential fatty acids
Cons
May contain a lot of gravy and not enough meat
Expensive
7. Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Senior Dry Cat Food
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Senior Dry Cat Food offers real, fresh, deboned chicken as the prime ingredient and also includes peas, chicken meal, herring meal, cranberries, and lentil to boost your aging cat’s health with every single bite. The grain-free recipe also includes antioxidants to support her immune system and urinary tract health so your paw-tner can feel her best!
The smell of this food can be overpowering and it is on the pricey side. Some cats may not like the taste and not eat the food, but we rate this as one of the best senior cat foods on our list.
Pros
Grain-free
Deboned chicken is the main ingredient
Helps with the immune system and urinary tract health
Available in numerous flavors, Purina’s Beyond Wild Prey-Inspired Canned Cat Food caters to your cat’s natural meat-eating instinct. It’s a grain-free food and contains poultry and turkey as its main ingredients. Additionally, it has veggies and is a great source of Vitamin A, essential amino acids, and iron. It is a super affordable product that is packed with protein.
However, it does contain liver from various animals, and some cats may be allergic to this ingredient. Additionally, some cats may turn up their noses at the taste.
Pros
Affordable
Grain-free
Chicken and turkey are the main ingredients
Numerous flavors
Contains vitamins and nutrients
Cons
Contains liver, which some felines may be allergic to
Some cats may not like the taste
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Cat Food for Older Cats with Bad Teeth
As your cat ages, she may get less active due to her metabolism slowing down. But just because she’s not burning a ton of calories anymore doesn’t mean that her needs for a high-quality diet will change. Older cats need a good combination of fat, protein, and vital nutrients in their diet to stay in peak condition for years to come.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a cat food for older cats with teeth problems.
Premium Proteins: Cats of every age need a diet that contains at least 26% protein. However, cat food that has protein has the main ingredient is always better because it helps older cats maintain muscle mass and a healthy weight.
Moderate Fat: Just like us, your kitty will need help to keep the pounds off as she ages. It’s important to feed her food containing low-to-moderate fat to avoid obesity. However, she’ll still need 12% to 15% fat in her meals.
Easy to Digest: Many older cats will develop food sensitivities and allergies, so it’s essential to feed them a diet that’s all-natural and easy to process.
Added Nutrients: For a well-rounded diet, look for foods with vitamins and mineral supplements, including fresh fruits and veggies.
Avoid Artificial Additives: These include items such as artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. They will only upset your senior cat’s sensitive tummy.
How to Feed an Older Cat with Bad Teeth
Now that you know what to feed your older cat, let’s explore how to feed one with bad teeth. The main thing to think about when choosing a suitable cat food for your pet with bad teeth is how easy it will be for her to chew the food. Ideally, you should purchase cat food that is made in tiny chunks.
This will help your kitty chew the food more easily. Additionally, well-moisturized cat food will keep her hydrated, as older cats will drink less water than their younger counterparts.
Soft foods can only make dental concerns worse. Experts recommend feeding your senior cat with bad teeth smaller chunks of cat kibble instead of soft food.
How to Feed an Old Cat with No Teeth
Chewing is hard for cats without teeth. Buying cat food for older cats with teeth problems becomes a challenge because you may be wondering what to feed them other than liquid or pate food. However, these types of foods often lack the vital nutrients that older animals need.
You should be feeding your toothless older cat soft, dry foods. The soft texture helps her grind the food without an issue and it’s also easy for her to digest. These foods also have a long shelf life, so you end up saving money in the long run.
Soft kibble also contains water to help keep your cat hydrated. Try to avoid feeding your cat mushy foods because they can easily become stuck to the gums and be bothersome for your pet.
Regardless of whether you feed your cat dry or wet food, you need a bowl that is sure to keep the mess contained—you can do just that with the Hepper Nom Nom Bowl.
This is designed with your cat’s comfort in mind. The whisker-friendly bowls are low and wide to prevent whisker fatigue, and the wide catch tray ensures that all food stays exactly where it should—inside the bowl.
At Excited Cats, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
5 Facts About Feline Dental Problems
Here are five important facts every cat owner should know about feline dental concerns.
Good nutrition is vital for your cat’s dental health. Be sure she’s always given a well-balanced diet full of essential vitamins and minerals.
Cat gum disease has different stages. Like us, the first stage is gingivitis, which is gum inflammation. If left to progress further, it can cause serious damage. So have your vet regularly check your cat’s teeth for plaque or bacteria.
If you ignore her dental problems, they can lead to more serious health issues for your cat. When senior cats can’t eat, they will lose a lot of weight.
Dry food will help clean your cat’s teeth.
As silly as it sounds, you need to brush your cat’s teeth. Their teeth can collect plaque just like ours can. So, it’s important to keep them clean and healthy.
It’s vital to feed your senior cat with bad teeth a well-balanced meal that she can easily chew and digest. Our top reviews for the best cat food for senior cats with bad teeth are Smalls Fresh Cat Food as the best overall choice and Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Dry Cat Food as the best value. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Cat Food is our third pick. Both of these foods are packed full of protein, easy for your cat to chew, and free of fluff.
When choosing a the best dry cat food for senior cats, look for foods with high protein that have a low-to-medium fat content. Additionally, always opt for dry kibble over wet food because it will help clean your kitty’s teeth.
We hope this review helped you find the purr-fect food for your older cat with bad teeth! Bon appetite!
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
