Just like us, our kitty’s bodies start to wane over time, and their mouth health is no exception. Cats with dental issues can begin to have a tough time enjoying their meals. To make their lives easier, you need to find a recipe that works for your older guy or gal.
If you’re looking for a solution to your cat’s oral discomfort, we took the liberty of writing reviews for these delicious soft cat foods for your senior feline. Here are six of the top picks we found on the market.
Cats, just like us, enjoy fresh and healthy foods and Smalls is a relatively new company that provides just that. They pride themselves on the human-quality food they prepare for cats to ensure they get nothing but the best. This is definitely good for cats with teeth problems.
Smalls offers three flavors of their fresh raw food, including the Ground Cow pictured above. The smalls first three ingredients of the Smalls Ground Cow flavor are ground beef (90% lean), beef liver, and green beans; a very nutritionally complete mix of different whole ingredients. This ensures the cats get everything they need and nothing they don’t.
This recipe is just one of many that the company now sells. All their flavors include at least 80% of their content made from nutritious animal products. They have also taken care to include the required vitamins and minerals so your cat has the best of both flavor and nutrition, no matter the flavor, making it the best wet cat food for older cats with bad teeth.
One great thing about Smalls and their nutritionally-complete cat food is that for your first order, they offer a 25% discount applied at checkout and even provide an assortment of additional goodies for your cat to get a full introduction to the brand. And when our cats tried it, they absolutely loved it. It was delicate enough for even the worst teeth, but not too soft, so it still gave some resistance to keep the teeth nice and strong. And with no artificial ingredients, there’s nothing bad in there to hurt your kitty’s teeth.
All in all, Smalls is our top choice for best cat food for older cats with bad teeth.
Pros
Multiple proteins
Human-quality ingredients
Pleasant smell
No preservatives or color
Cons
More expensive than supermarket brands
2. Fancy Feast Chicken Palette for Seniors 7+ – Best Value
What cat doesn’t love Fancy Feast? This Fancy Feast combo offers three different flavors for seniors seven years and older. It has the typical savory, aromatic sense to kick up your cat’s appetite. There is a case of 12 full cans that are 3 ounces apiece.
That’s very important, as sometimes with seniors, their appetites can decrease with age. This recipe boosts their immune system with essential taurine and amino acids. The high protein in this diet helps keep their muscles nice and strong during the years of decline. This recipe is full of antioxidants and vitamin E for lustrous coat and skin.
Taking a closer look at the chicken-flavored variety, the first three ingredients are chicken, fish, and meat by-products. Instead of being full of water, this recipe mainly uses chicken broth for an ultra advertising finish. In each can, there are 96 calories. There is 11% crude protein, 5% crude fat, 1.5% crude fiber, and 78% moisture, making it the best wet cat food for older cats for the money.
Due to dietary restrictions, this recipe might not be the best fit for some cats. We greatly encourage you to scour the ingredients to ensure nothing triggers any potential sensitivities.
Another great option is Royal Canin aging 12+ Loaf. This recipe is specifically designed for seniors that are 12 years or older to support their declining bodies. The formula is incredibly easy on their system to make sure that their digestive function works appropriately.
This recipe has essential fatty acids, EPA, and DHA for joint support. They also took the phosphorus down a notch, so the recipe doesn’t overload their kidneys. This dish is specifically for sensitive teeth and gums, creating an easy palatable eating experience.
We want to warn you that this recipe does contain pork by-products, which can be troublesome for some cats. Double-check the ingredients to make sure that all of that is well with your kitty. This recipe contains 122 calories per can. It has 8.5% crude protein, 2.5% crude fat, 1.4% crude fiber, and 82% percent moisture. It also has a dose of glucosamine for joints.
Even though this recipe is incredibly pricey, it is worth it for the overall health and comfort of your senior kitty. It is one of the best cat foods on the market for dental health.
Seniors 11 and older love the taste of Purina Pro Plan Focus with Salmon and Tuna. You will get 24 for 3-ounce cans in this package, and it’s super affordable for most budgets. Our senior kitties had no trouble getting us down the hatch. The recipe is made with real salmon and tuna, which stimulates the appetite.
The first three ingredients are salmon, liver, and water. There are meat byproducts of this recipe. It has a total of 10% crude protein, 6% crude fat, 1.5% crude fiber, and 78% moisture. It also has tons of vitamins and minerals, including taurine and ascorbic acid to meet all of the AAFCO nutritional profiles.
This recipe has a specialized formula to meet the unique needs of advanced aging. Each recipe was crafted at a Purina-owned facility in the United States of America. Every ingredient is completely traceable.
One great thing about this recipe is that you can feed an entire can per day, breaking it up into two separate meals.
Even though it comes with a higher price tag, the Hill’s Science Diet Tender Chicken Dinner is perfect for senior cats 7 years and older. They shouldn’t have much issue chewing the soft food specifically designed to help cats with dental problems.
Because it’s partially wet, it still intensifies appetite with savory flavor, but it’s firm enough to offer some benefits of dry kibble. We love most about this because it doesn’t stick to their teeth or lay on their gums as some wet foods do. So, it doesn’t worsen the existing dental issues.
This recipe has specific vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to support aging bodies. The extra kick of water gives this recipe a boost of hydration—plus, the chicken and pork liver offer protein that their body needs. Each pouch contains 77 calories, 6.5% crude protein, 3% crude fat, 3% crude fiber, and 82% moisture.
The package comes with 24 in total, with each one containing a serving of food. This recipe is perfect for single cat households, but it could get a little pricey if you have more than one kitty.
Pros
Partially soft
Convenient pouches
One serving portions
Cons
Might get pricey
6. Blue Buffalo Freedom Chicken Grain-Free Can Cat Food
You can use this for morning and evening meals to satisfy your senior’s pallet. Blue Buffalo prides itself on making recipes to fit every feline’s needs. This particular one cuts out the gluten, replacing it with delicious proteins, fruits, and veggies.
This particular cat food for older cats with bad teeth recipe contains no grain, byproducts, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. This can of cat food contains 168 calories per can. It has 7% crude protein, 4% crude fat, 2.5% crude fiber, and 78% moisture. It also has taurine and omega fatty acids.
Since it is a grain-free recipe, it contains sweet potatoes, carrots, and flaxseed. This delicious, easy-to-eat recipe will be a household favorite in no time.
Even though this is not a full course meal, the Hartz Delectables Bisque Lickable Wet Cat Treats can work wonders for your senior. Not only does it add a dose of savory flavor to their meal—it also softens up dry or semi-moist kibble, making it easier for your cat to chew.
This package comes with 12 individual flavored treats. You have two options, tuna and chicken for seniors over 10, or tuna and chicken for seniors over 15—depending on your cat’s age.
Each package contains 16 calories. It has 8% crude protein, 0.1% crude fat, 1% crude fiber, and 90% moisture. It also has some beneficial vitamins and minerals for overall support.
We thought it was a wonderful addition to a daily meal getting your seniors the support they need without completely changing their overall diet.
Pros
Softens kibble
Stimulates appetite
Multiple packs
Cons
Only a topper
Might not soften food enough
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Food for Older Cats with Bad Teeth
When you’re buying new food for your senior to help ease dental issues, here are some things to consider when looking for the best cat food for senior cats.
Importance of Brushing
Brushing your cat’s teeth as often as possible is the key to preventing any dental decay. However, general age can reduce the strength of your kitty’s teeth, causing structural damage anyway.
It is a good idea to begin brushing your kitten’s teeth when they are babies and continue throughout their adult life. Getting any plaque off the teeth will prevent tartar buildup and reduce the risk of dental disease later in life.
Plaque
Plaque is debris that forms on your cat’s teeth from leftover food in the mouth. It can solidify over time without regular cleaning, causing more significant issues down the road.
Tartar
Tartar is the yellowish hard substance that forms on the gum line and the teeth. This is the result of plaque buildup over time and is almost impossible to get off. It is a precursor to dental disease and needs to be dealt with accordingly.
Periodontal Disease
Dental disease in cats can be severe and even life-threatening in some cases. Dental disease can cause infection, which can spread through the body. You want to prevent it at all costs, so putting as many safety measures in place is essential when your cats are advancing age.
Tooth Loss
Your cat can lose their teeth over time or need to get them extracted at the vet. Decay can damage the enamel and structure of the teeth, causing them to chip or come out entirely.
Types of Diets for Seniors with Bad Teeth
Dry Kibble
Dry kibble for seniors with teeth issues might not be the best idea for some cats, so always make sure to check with your vet. However, if your cat is developing dental issues, you might be able to feed them a dry kibble that helps clean their teeth.
If you buy a specialized recipe for seniors covering dental care, the extra crunch will break up plaque and tartar.
Wet Food
Wet food is ideal for senior cats with dental issues because it is easy to chew, but it might worsen existing dental problems without proper brushing. Use care when searching for the best wet cat food for senior cats with bad teeth.
Pros
Easy to chew
Savory
Stimulates appetite
Long shelf life, if unopened
Cons
Spoils quickly once opened
Can worsen dental issues
Semi-Moist
Semi-moist cat foods are soft enough for seniors to chill, even if they have worsening teeth. It tends to have a longer shelf life than wet cat food, but not quite as long as dry kibble.
Also, certain brands can be less healthy than alternatives. So always make sure to read the label to know exactly what you’re giving your beloved kitty.
Pros
Easy to chew
Appetizing
Stimulates senses
Cons
Shorter shelf life than kibble
Sometimes not as healthy as some alternatives
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.
Our product 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.
Specialized Diets
Due to declining health in old age, your cat might be on a specialized diet. The good news is, you can find a recipe that works for your cat regardless of their dietary restrictions.
If you can’t find commercial cat foods, you might also want to look for a roll or homemade diets that are super easy for your kitty to chew and swallow.
Pros
Necessary for some cats
More control over ingredients
Cons
Can be hard finding the right commercial food
Raw or Homemade Diets
Many owners are looking for raw or homemade diets for their beloved felines, as they are all-natural and delicious. You have complete control over the ingredients.
Pros
Often healthier
Easy to chew
Specialized recipes
Cons
Must check ingredients with vet
Time-consuming prep
Final Thoughts
We still stand by our number one choice, Smalls Fresh Raw Cat Food. We think it is the best wet cat food for older cats with dental issues. Plus, it is affordable for most owners and our cats seem to think it’s delicious.
