Dog food for toothless dogs: recommendations for choosing the most suitable one
With age, our little ones may lose a tooth or part of their teeth. This often significantly complicates the way your pet ingests food, so it's essential to change their diet to opt for food for toothless dogs, such as wet dog food for toothless dogs. In this article, we want to tell you what food for toothless dogs is and everything you need to consider when changing your pet's diet. Let's get to it!
Dog food for toothless dogs: What is it?
Older dogs tend to suffer from dental disease because teeth are more fragile and wear down over timeSometimes, tooth extraction is necessary as a dog ages to avoid the pain caused by biting and gum inflammation. In these cases, it becomes necessary to use toothless dog food. But what exactly do toothless dogs eat? What is this type of dog food like? Toothless dog food is based on a specific type of food for senior dogs. This food has higher humidity than the others, it is usually wet dog food, since it is easier to chew or, if necessary, can be swallowed directly without having to chew.
How to choose wet dog food?
There are several types of wet dog food, depending on the degree of wear and loss of your pet's teeth. Based on this, you can choose the following types of food.
Wet dog food
Wet food for toothless dogs corresponds to a food that has a high percentage of humidityThis food has a soft, smooth texture that makes it perfect for feeding senior dogs. Its composition and texture also prevent gum damage. This type of wet dog food usually comes in cans. The kibble, dry food, or meat cubes inside should be crushed with a spoon or fork to make them easier for teething pets to swallow. Furthermore, since it's a softer food, this food It is easier to digest than traditional feed.
Dry dog food
This is a specific food for senior pets with deteriorating teeth or even no teeth at all. The characteristic that makes this type of food special, in addition to its ingredients and nutritional value, is that softens easily in contact with liquids. Therefore, these foods are designed to be soaked, for example, in chicken broth, but also directly in warm water. This way, the food becomes a highly recommended food for toothless dogs that can be easily ingested—and digested.
How to help a dog without teeth?
When talking about toothless dogs, how to feed them, and how to help them, there are several aspects we must take into account to improve our dogs' quality of life and help them adjust to this new change. Our recommendations are as follows:
- Change the feed progressivelyThe change should be gradual so the dog can adapt and avoid digestive problems. Keep in mind that losing teeth can lead to various problems that require your help to improve their quality of life. Therefore, it's very important to get your little one used to eating without biting or chewing. This may seem difficult at first, but over time, the dog will get used to it. Be sure to support them and pet them every time they do this.
- Prepare homemade food: If you want to alternate between special food or simply giving your pet a treat, you can also choose to prepare homemade food. In this case, you need to use cooked foods, such as potatoes, chicken, or vegetables, and mash them. Make sure this diet includes all the nutrients your pet needs so that there are no long-term nutritional deficiencies.
- Care and affectionThe love, patience, and attention you give your pet at this stage of their life is key to keeping them happy and healthy. Instead of being sad and lamenting, be with your dog and give them all the love you have. Your pet should continue to enjoy their food, so make a gradual change to a diet they like.
Talking about toothless dogs, how to feed them, and how to care for them at this stage isn't that complicated. Of course, you'll need to be patient so your pet can get used to the change. With a quality food, like the one we offer at Arquivet —which is also made with natural ingredients—and with your care and affection, your pet will have everything they need to be happy.
How to prevent a dog from losing teeth
Dental care for your pet is necessary to prevent tooth loss. It is important maintain proper dental hygiene that can help us delay the process. To do this, we can take our little one to the vet for routine cleanings, as well as use various supplements such as oral solutions, cleaning snacks, and other special products. Another thing we can do is brush our dog's teeth regularly. There are special toothbrushes for dogs, as well as toothpastes. Of course, make sure your dog doesn't gnaw on stones and other objects that can wear down their teeth over time.