There’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching your fluff struggle, especially when normal things like eating cause her pain. Those awful dental issues can be super hard to deal with, but choosing soft dry food for cats with bad teeth is one way to make it easier for your furbaby.
I know, I know… Our furry companions are the pickiest eaters in the world, especially when it comes to kibble. Sometimes I feel like the stars and planets have to align a certain way for my cat to eat some of her dry food. Now, when he was dealing with dental issues, I remember that became 10 times worse.
In order to make it easier for him, I’ve embarked on a mission to find the softest dry food my feline king can eat (and enjoy the taste of, of course). I made sure that the food I got him was packed with essential nutrients my fluff needed to stay healthy and active, especially when he was in pain.
Today, I’m here to share my small discoveries with you, with the hopes of helping your furball enjoy her food fully again. After all, that’s what our little feline gourmands deserve. Her small meows of gratitude and soft purrs while she eats will be the sweetest sound you’ll ever hear.
What to look for in your food for cats with bad teeth?
Before we get to the actual list, it’s important to know what are some things your kitty’s food should include. After all, the fact it tastes good isn’t always enough, no matter how much your fluff meows for more after she empties her bowl. Here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Your fluff’s food should be high in protein
Cat food that’s high in protein is purrfect fuel for your feline buddy. This is especially important if you’re a parent to an older kitty. Just like we need protein to stay strong and healthy, so do our furbabies. It’s a superhero ingredient that gives them the energy to climb your furniture and run around your home.
It supports the overall health of your fluff and makes their coats nice and shiny. It’s essential for a healthy immune system and makes their food a lot more tasty. It’s definitely the main ingredient your kitty needs.
2. There should be no artificial additives
You go into the store and you’re overwhelmed with cat food choices. Do you know what will make the selection a lot smaller for you? Looking for food that has no artificial additives.
Your purrer deserves a real meal, just like you do, especially when she’s in pain. I’m sure you wouldn’t give your kitty artificial colors and flavors and, trust me, she would turn her head away from the bowl if she doesn’t taste something real and nutritious in it.
Sure, some artificial flavors may make her food tastier but, trust me, she needs real, natural, and wholesome meals to stay strong and healthy.
3. It should be easily digestible
Do you know what could make her condition even worse? If she had to deal with tummy pain on top of the discomfort she feels in her mouth. Because of that, it’s important that your kitty’s food is easily digestible.
To find the perfect, digestible meal for your fluff, make sure it’s rich in protein, such as fish or lean chicken. They’re super easy for our feline friends to digest and absorb. A sprinkle of fiber will be a perfect addition, so look for some natural sources such as sweet potatoes.
And, of course, you should pay attention to the texture. Not only is it easier to digest, but softer food will be a lot easier for your kitty to eat without it causing her pain. Adding some water to your dry kibble should do the trick.
Here’s a piece of advice: make her portions smaller. Trust me, your fluff would rather eat smaller meals throughout the day than eat larger ones twice a day. Smaller meals will be easier on her teeth and reduce the strain on her digestive system.
Best soft dry food for cats with bad teeth
1. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food Oral Care
Hill’s Science Diet makes taking care of your fluff’s pearly whites a breeze. In fact, your vet may recommend it to you, too! Find the one that’s best for your feline’s condition, and it will be the ultimate dental treatment for her.
This brand knows that our feline friends have different needs based on their age and health conditions – so they make foods for everyone! Yes, they offer meals tailored specifically for your fluff’s condition, and that includes oral hygiene problems. But, what makes Hill’s Science Diet’s food so pawesome?
Well, their Oral Care recipe is both soft and crunchy, and it will satisfy even the pickiest of felines. It’s the best of both worlds – soft enough not to cause her pain, and crunchy enough to give her teeth a thorough cleaning.
It’s proven to reduce plaque and tartar in cats, and it also contains essential vitamins and minerals, keeping your furball strong and healthy. Some kitties may find that the size of the kibble is a bit larger, but I’m sure your fluff will get used to it quickly.
2. Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Oral Sensitive
Royal Canin has a purrfect solution for your kitty’s sensitive teeth. Their Feline Health Nutrition Oral Sensitive food is perfectly crunchy, giving your fluff’s teeth the cleaning they need. Seriously, it’s like a small toothbrush disguised as a tasty meal – how could you resist?
This food has been clinically proven to reduce plaque by 41% in just seven days! That sounds like magic to me. On top of that, it’s not only focused on keeping her teeth clean, but it will also provide your fluff’s body with all the top-notch nutrients it needs.
We’re talking fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals – all of it packed in purrfectly crunchy kibble she’ll absolutely love. This food is definitely a game-changer, and your fluff’s soft purrs and meows will be the best proof of that.
3. Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Natural Kibble Raw Cat Food
If there’s one brand that knows how to make high-quality cat food, it’s Instinct. They search everywhere to find the best ingredients for their food and provide your furball with nothing but the finest meals she can have. Their food is all-natural, too!
If your kitty’s a fan of chicken, she’ll absolutely love every bite of her delicious meal, especially because the company said no to corn, wheat, soy, grain, or any kind of preservatives. Only the finest ingredients for your feline diva, because that’s what she deserves.
What makes this a perfect choice for your kitty and her sensitive teeth is the fact that the kibbles are small and easy to chew. Your furball won’t feel any discomfort, and she’ll be able to enjoy her royal treat without any distractions.
Their food is rich in protein and it’s designed to keep your fluff’s weight in check. This is a good thing because your feline bestie won’t be able to stop eating her fancy gourmet meal on her own. Free from additives and preservatives, this food is like treating your kitty with the most natural, farm-to-table meal.
But, I won’t lie to you – this delicious treat comes with quite a big price tag compared to average dry kibble. However, if your fluff is dealing with dental issues, then it’s definitely worth the splurge.
4. Purina ONE Sensitive Systems Adult Dry Cat Food
Purina is well-known for the pawesome food they make for kitties with sensitive stomachs and teeth problems. Their Sensitive Systems Adult is the purrfect solution if you’re looking for soft dry food for cats with bad teeth, as it offers more than just a dental treatment.
If your kitty has tummy issues too, don’t worry. Purina ONE has got your back here, too. This food is super easy to digest and absorb, leaving your fluff happy and with a full stomach. It’s rich in antioxidants that will boost your feline’s immune system, making her a feline superhero in fighting germs and bacteria.
If that wasn’t enough, wait until you hear it’s packed with omega-6 fatty acids, that will make your kitty’s fur the softest it’s ever been. No more skin irritations, dry patches, and flakiness. She’ll look like she came straight from the cover of a cat magazine!
Now, we all know how picky cats are when it comes to their food, and Purina ONE knows that the best. Because of that, they made this food with real turkey that will turn your fluff into a purring machine.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, this food also contains protein powder for an additional boost of energy. If your fluff isn’t a big fan of turkey but more of a seafood fan, this may be an issue, because the taste is pretty strong. If that’s not the case, both of you are in luck, as your kitty will enjoy every kibble she eats.
Read more: Caring For A Cat With No Teeth: Everything You Need To Know
