Older cats are prone to dental diseases like gum inflammation and stomatitis, which causes mouth ulcers and swelling. According to studies,50-90% of cats older than four years suffer from dental diseases. As a result, dental diseases may cause a lack of appetite and weight loss and can affect the overall health of your cat. Therefore, food and nutrition play a significant role in older cats’ dental health.
The best cat food for older cats should be easy to chew and at the same time address the cats’ nutritional needs. In addition, there are specially formulated foods for older cats with bad teeth. This article will review the top 7 best cat foods for older felines with bad teeth and a detailed buying guide to help you choose the best for your feline.
Top 7 Best Cat Food for Older Cats With Bad Teeth
Although various companies manufacture food for older cats with bad teeth, choosing the right brand isn’t easy. After hours of research and careful consideration, our team identified the following top brands;
1. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult Oral Care, Chicken Recipe: Best Overall
Hill’s science diet is the number one vet-recommended cat food brand in the US, according to the April-May 2021 survey. Their food is formulated by scientists using unique ingredient combinations to support overall health and prolong life. Their dry cat food is formulated using clinically proven balanced nutrition to support senior cats’ dental health for adult oral care. It uses kibble technology which prevents the buildup of plaque and tartar in senior felines. Every bite of the dry food helps freshen the cat’s breath and promotes dental health. In addition, it contains Vitamin E and Omega 6 fatty acids, which promote the cat’s healthy immune system and skin health.
The Hills science oral care recipe uses natural ingredients and interlocking fiber technology, which scrape off plaque and tartar from the cat’s teeth. The company uses real chicken to provide high-quality protein and a blend of natural vitamins and minerals to provide balanced nutrition for overall dental health and well-being. This food does not contain artificial flavors or chicken by-products. Hills science does not recommend dry cat food for oral care for kittens, pregnant cats, or nursing cats.
Pros
- Freshens breath
- Prevents tartar buildup
- No artificial colors or flavors
- USA made
- Made of natural ingredients
- A cats favorite
Cons
- Bigger kibbles
- May cause allergic reactions in some cats
2. IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Seniors Dry Cat Food: Best Value
IAMS proactive health seniors dry cat food contains real chicken as the first ingredient to provide high protein for strong muscles and energy for play. It contains essential nutrients like calcium and phosphorus to support strong bones, joints, and teeth. Because older cats with bad teeth lose weight due to wrong feeding, IAMS proactive health cat food contains L-carnitine to help maintain a healthy weight. Furthermore, it contains Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant to help maintain your feline’s healthy immune system. The food consists of easy-to-chew kibbles with a crunchy texture to reduce plaque build-up on the cat’s teeth.
The IAMS proactive health senior cat dry food contains two times more antioxidants than the healthy adult original dry cat food to maintain a healthy immune system in seniors. In addition, it is made in the USA using 100% natural ingredients like real chicken, vitamins, and minerals. It does not contain wheat, preservatives, or synthetic ingredients, and it’s perfectly balanced for senior cats to eliminate the need for vitamin supplements.
Pros
- Crunchy kibbles prevent plaque buildup
- Contains high protein
- It contains phosphorus and calcium for healthy bones and teeth
- Easy to chew
- Maintains a healthy weight with L-carnitine
- USA made
- No synthetic ingredients
Cons
- Small kibble size
- It May be unsuitable for senior cats with sensitive stomachs
3. Royal Canin Oral Dentaire: Premium Choice
Canin cat foods are formulated exclusively by nutritionists and veterinary experts to address particular nutritional needs for senior cats’ dental health. They are tasty and contain balanced nutrients, fine texture, and savory aroma in specific kibble shapes and sizes. Their food consists of dry and wet food in equal portions to provide brushing effects while keeping the felines hydrated. Royal Canin for oral care is clinically proven to reduce dental plaque by 41% after seven days of exclusive use. In addition, it contains the proper nutrients to maintain healthy teeth in the right kibble size and shape.
The Royal Canin food for oral care contains a 100% balanced formula for adult and older cats in the right kibble texture to scrape off tartar and plaque from the cat’s teeth. As a result, you can cut costs incurred when visiting a veterinary office for professional teeth cleaning.
Pros
- Veterinary and nutritionist-approved
- Clinically proven to prevent dental plaque
- Favorite among cats
- Highly digestible
- Rich in protein
Cons
- It’s expensive
- Kibble size may be too large for some cats
4. Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts In Gravy Wet Cat Food: Best Wet Food
Sheba’s perfect portions of wet cat food are flawlessly made with a senior feline in mind. Each food recipe contains high-quality protein from chicken, Turkey, and Tuna to build healthy muscles in older cats. In addition, it contains high-quality ingredients and essential vitamins and minerals for overall health. Finally, it makes feeding time easy; by snapping and peeling, your cat’s food will be ready in a matter of minutes. Each package contains 24 twin packs equaling 48 servings, and each serving is perfectly measured to avoid messes and leftovers.
The Sheba perfect portions variety pack contains 12 gourmet salmon entrees, six tuna, six delicate white fish, and Tuna entrees. As a result, your cat doesn’t have to eat the same food every day. The food is soft, easy to chew, and delectable, and any cat will love it. It contains no sugar, artificial flavors, and grains, and it’s perfect for cats of all ages, including senior cats with bad teeth.
Pros
- Conveniently packaged
- No messes or leftovers
- Soft and easy to chew
- Rich in proteins
- Contains no sugar
- Perfectly measured
Cons
- Package may be difficult to open
- Small portion size
5. Vetri Science Laboratories- Perio Support Dental Health Powder
If your senior cat is struggling to eat due to gum disease,period-support dental health powder from Vetriscience laboratories may be what you need. It makes a perfect addition to your cat’s meals, and it’s designed for everyday use to support gum health and maintain clean teeth. It contains natural zeolites with unique minerals that prevent tartar and plaque build-up. As a result, it is scientifically proven to reduce plaque by up to 20% and tartar by up to 18% in cats and dogs.
Perio support dental health powder from vetriscience laboratories eliminates the hassle of brushing your cat’s teeth every week, and it reduces dental diseases and improves the quality of life. It contains a proprietary blend of probiotics, including lactobacillus, to restore gut and oral microbiota. The probiotics displace oral plaque-causing bacteria to support healthy gums, fresh breath, and clean teeth. In addition, the powder contains Zinc and Taurine to support healthy gum tissues and cranberry, which is a potent antioxidant to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Pros
- It works fast
- Promotes healthy gums and teeth
- Eliminates inflammation and bad breath
- Rich in antioxidants
- It eliminates the need for brushing
Cons
- May cause diarrhea in some cats
- It may be unsuitable for cats prone to allergies
6. Purina Dental Life Adult Dental Cat Treats: Best Cat Treats
Purina has served in the pet industry for more than 90 years. They pride themselves in delivering science-backed breakthrough teeth cleaning through their proprietary Purina adult dental cat treats. Their cat treats are deliciously flavored using salmon and chicken, and each kibble is innovatively designed with a porous texture. As a result, each delightful crunch allows your feline’s teeth to penetrate the treat, scraping off tartar and plaque to prevent build-up. Furthermore, the treats contain calcium to support strong teeth and Taurine to support healthy gum tissues.
Purina dental treats do not contain artificial flavors or colors, and they are more porous than traditional cat treats. They are made in the USA while maintaining high-quality standards. Purina recommends 17 treats in a day combined with regular foods.
Pros
- Pleasantly tasting
- Favorite among many cats
- Effective teeth cleaning
- Great treats for playtime
- Veterinary approved
Cons
- It’s high in carbs
- Kibbles may be hard for some cats
7. Greenies Feline Natural Dental Care Cat Treats
Greenies dental care treats are one of the most recommended home cats treats by veterinarians in the US. It contains natural ingredients with added proteins, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Each dental care kibble is deliciously flavored using oven-roasted chicken flavor and is crunchy to help scrape off tartar and plaque from your cat’s teeth. In addition, each dental treat contains less than two calories. The Greenies feline dental treats are uniquely packaged in a value tab, each containing 9.5 ounces. The treats do not contain artificial flavors or colors, and they are recommended for cats older than one year.
Pros
- Favorite among cats
- Delectable and easy to chew
- Perfect treats for playtime
- Conveniently packaged in a tub
- Prevents plaque and tartar buildup
- Pleasantly flavored
Cons
- May cause allergic reactions in some cats
- Kibbles may be difficult to chew in some cats
Best Cat Food for Older Cats With Bad Teeth: Buying Guide
Older cats are prone to dental diseases due to the build-up of plaque from food. Maintaining healthy teeth means choosing the right foods rich in nutrients that are easy to chew and digest. Therefore, look for the following qualities in the best cat food for older cats with bad teeth;
Animal Proteins
Cats have higher protein requirements than most domestic animals. So when choosing the best food for older cats with bad teeth, consider foods containing high levels of animal protein like chicken or fish to help build strong muscles and increase your pet’s energy levels.
Moderate Fats
Cats require 20-24% fats for metabolism, but too much fat may cause excess weight gain in less active cats. Instead, look for foods with moderate healthy fats like Omega 6 fatty acids which improve immunity and skin health. Furthermore, healthy fats can reduce blood cholesterol and the risk of heart disease in older cats.
Natural Ingredients
When choosing the best food for older cats with bad teeth, read the manufacturer’s label to ensure that the food only contains natural ingredients with no artificial colors or flavors. Some artificial flavors may cause severe allergic reactions in your pet, and you should avoid such foods.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins help maintain your cat’s radiant skin, while minerals like calcium and phosphorus help maintain strong bones and teeth. Foods containing vitamin C also help maintain a robust immune system and promote cell healing which will improve the overall health of your cat.
Easy to Chew and Digest
Some dental diseases cause inflammation and swelling of gums which may be painful to the cat. As a result, your cat may find it hard to chew food leading to loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss. Therefore, when choosing the best food for your cat, choose wet foods or soft kibbles that are easy to chew and digest to avoid stomach problems.
Tips to Maintain Healthy Teeth in Older Cats
Studies indicate that more than 80% of cats suffer from dental issues by the time they are 3 years old. Plaque from food accumulates in cats’ teeth and later hardens to form tartar which may irritate the gums leading to inflammation and gum disease. Luckily, you can prevent gum disease using the tips below;
Check Your Cats Teeth Regularly
Most cats find it uncomfortable when checking their teeth, but it’s worth trying. First, check their teeth to ensure they are clean and white with no chippings. Also, check their gums for redness, swelling, or bleeding as these symptoms might indicate signs of gum disease. Next, monitor your cat’s breath to ensure it’s fresh because foul breath could indicate gum disease. Finally, regularly take your cat to a veterinarian for dental checkups and treatment in case of oral disease.
Ensure a Proper Diet
Food and nutrition play a crucial role in older cats’ dental health. Ensure you feed your cat with enough proteins, vitamins, and minerals like calcium to maintain strong bones and teeth.
Brush Your Cat’s Teeth
Most dental diseases in cats can be prevented by regularly brushing their teeth. Animal experts recommend brushing twice a week to prevent plaque build-up and stop gum disease and tooth decay. Use a finger toothbrush with water to make the process more friendly. Avoid human toothpaste on cats because it contains high fluoride levels, which may be toxic when ingested by cats. Instead, get a dental kit from your nearest pet store or order one online. There is special toothpaste designed for cats with safe fluoride levels for cats.
Dental Treats
Dental treats are formulated with crunchy kibbles, which clean your cat’s teeth by scraping off plaque and tartar. They encourage your cat to chew and clean its teeth in the process. Most dental treats are pleasantly flavored and favorites among many cats. In addition, they contain minerals like calcium which promotes strong teeth.
Regular Checkup by a Veterinarian
Most gum diseases are treatable when discovered early. This early detection can prevent loss of teeth in your cat. Ensure you take your cat to a veterinarian for a health checkup to prevent unlikely events like tooth extraction or professional deep teeth cleaning, which may be costly.
Give Your Cats Toys to Bite
Chewing on bones and toys helps to clean your cat’s teeth and prevent plaque build-up. However, some toys may be too hard, leading to tooth fractures. Get your cat a specific toy for teeth cleaning or give them a bone to chew to clean their teeth.
Change Water After Every Feed
Dirty water could be a source of plaque-causing bacteria to your cat. Ensure you change your cats water whenever they are feeding because they may leave food particles and debris which could act as a source of bacteria that can cause gum disease.
FAQ
1. What Age Is a Cat Considered Senior?
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) defines a senior cat as any cat between 11-14 years old. Older cats between 7-10 years are considered mature or middle-aged, and 15-25-year-olds are considered super seniors.
2. How Much Will It Cost to Have My Cats Teeth Professionally Cleaned?
The cost of cleaning a cat’s teeth will depend on the veterinarian and the amount of tartar in question. You can expect to spend $50-$300 with every visit. It will cost less to clean less plaque than to clean plaque that has accumulated for several months.
3. How Can I Feed an Old Cat Without Teeth?
Old cats without teeth need soft foods that are easy to chew and digest. Feed your cat using wet food or soft kibbles.
4. Why Is It Important to Clean My Cats Teeth Regularly?
It’s essential to regularly clean your cat’s teeth to prevent the buildup of plaque from food particles. Plaque hardens to form tartar which may irritate your cat’s gums leading to inflammation and swelling. Furthermore, tartar may need professional cleaning, which is costly.
Conclusion
The best cat food for older cats with bad teeth should be easy to chew and digest and contain the proper nutrients to support a cat’s dental health. If you are shopping for the best food for your older cat, consider foods with high animal protein and plenty of vitamins, moderate fats, and minerals. In addition, avoid foods with artificial colors and preservatives. Our best overall choice was Hills science adult dry food for oral care. We like it because it’s easy to chew and digest, and it uses kibble fiber technology to help clean a cat’s teeth. Furthermore, it contains Vitamin E and Omega 6 fatty acids, and the company is the number one veterinarian-recommended cat food brand in the US.
