{"id":319,"date":"2024-02-13T06:22:11","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T14:22:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shilohsvet.com\/blog\/?p=319"},"modified":"2024-02-13T06:22:12","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T14:22:12","slug":"how-to-care-for-a-toothless-dog-or-cat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shilohsvet.com\/blog\/how-to-care-for-a-toothless-dog-or-cat\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Care for a Toothless Dog or Cat"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A pet\u2019s teeth are part of their unique appearance, but a toothless dog or cat is equally  distinctive. Many factors lead to partial or complete toothlessness. Whether tooth extractions resulted from advanced periodontal disease or another cause, a proactive approach to a toothless pet\u2019s nutritional needs is critical to their health. Additionally, even in the absence of teeth, there are important ways to support overall oral hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Long View<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Periodontal disease<\/a> has the potential to spread infection throughout the body, affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys. Plus, broken, cracked, or loose teeth can impair chewing and cause food avoidance and inadequate nutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tooth extraction<\/a> is an alternative to keeping diseased teeth in the mouth, positively impacting a pet\u2019s daily quality of life and even their lifespan. In other words, a toothless dog or cat can still enjoy a long, full life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working Together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finding the right balance of products to feed a toothless dog or cat is key to their overall health. Prescription diets can deliver all the vitamins, nutrients, and proteins a pet needs to thrive. It is critical to provide them with balanced nutrition<\/a>. Depending on a pet\u2019s tastes and preferences, we can help you find chewable, appetizing foods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Creative<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Feeding a toothless dog or cat requires planning, research, and experimentation. Many owners find that simply adding warm water to kibble (or low-sodium chicken or beef broth for flavor) is enough to soften the food<\/a>, which makes it easier to chew (with the gums) and swallow. You may also try to mash up the hard kibble bits after the water or broth has soaked in enough. This is a good place to start, as a pet may be attached to the smell and taste of their existing kibble product. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing Gears<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Toothless pets may need time to adjust to wet food in their diet, especially if they\u2019ve always eaten hard kibble. <\/p>\n\n\n\n