13 Best Cat Foods for Cats with No Teeth (or Few/Bad Teeth)

It can be very disheartening to see your cat struggle to eat its food because of missing teeth. We want to help them, but what can we do?

Switching your cat’s diet to something easily chewed while maintaining the nutritional quality your cat needs is the answer.

First, you want to make sure the food you choose addresses the unique requirements of your dentally challenged feline. Second, you want food that meets your cat’s nutritional needs. And last, you want something that appeals to your cat’s taste buds.

To help you cull your list, I’ve listed here 13 of the best cat foods for cats with dental problems to help you make the best choice for your little one. Let’s get started.  

Best Cat Foods for Cats with No Teeth (or Few/Bad Teeth)

IMPORTANT: The list includes a few dry options for cats that are picky about their food texture. Make sure you soften it with warm water, broth, or a gravy-based food topper before serving.

Top ProductsWhat We Like About This Food…
1. Blue Buffalo Healthy Gourmet Natural Adult Pate Turkey and Chicken Entree Wet Cat FoodPea-free recipe, smooth pate texture, premium formula with rich nutrients
2. Purina Beyond Wild Prey-Inspired Grain-Free High Protein Turkey, Liver & Quail Pate Recipe Canned Cat FoodProtein-rich recipe, grain-free ingredients, a prey-inspired meal with real turkey
3. I and Love and You Savory Salmon Pate Grain-Free Canned Cat FoodGrain and gluten-free recipe, includes real salmon for a natural boost of protein, packed with unrefined sources of antioxidants and saturated fats
4. Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme Grain-Free Cat FoodGrain and gluten-free, delicious broth-based pumpkin consommé, includes heart-healthy taurine
5. Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Multipack Savory Chicken, Roasted Turkey & Tender Beef Pate Cat Food TraysGrain-free recipes, meaty pate with soft texture, packed with flavorful nutrition

Important Video: How to Switch Cat Food


1. Blue Buffalo Healthy Gourmet Natural Adult Pate Turkey and Chicken Entree Wet Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey, 2. Chicken Broth, 3. Chicken Liver, 4. Chicken, 5. Brown Rice

This recipe by Blue Buffalo is a pea-free recipe prepared using the finest ingredients to provide essential nutrients to your cat. This formula is a pate texture that’s easier for cats with no or few teeth to eat. The food texture doesn’t require aggressive chewing and is easily consumed. On top of that, the recipe contains delicious flavors and protein from chicken and turkey. This premium formula contains all the nourishing nutrients your kitty needs to thrive. The wholesome ingredients in this recipe support lean muscle management, heart health, eye health, and overall immunity.


2. Purina Beyond Wild Prey-Inspired Grain-Free High Protein Turkey, Liver & Quail Pate Recipe Canned Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey, 2. Chicken, 3. Liver, 4. Turkey Broth, 5. Quail

The protein-rich formula by Purina Beyond is an excellent choice for cats with no or few teeth. The canned food includes a unique blend of flavors using turkey, chicken,  liver, quail, and it is cooked to perfection in juicy turkey broth. The nutrient-dense formula is a great-tasting food for kitties that could have a hard time chewing dry kibble. The broth adds flavor to the recipe and gives it the perfect texture that makes it easy to eat. The recipe includes real turkey for its novel protein content, free from by-products, artificial colors, preservatives, and fillers.


3. I and Love and You Savory Salmon Pate Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Salmon, 2. Chicken Liver, 3. Salmon Broth, 4. Chicken, 5. Cranberries

This savory salmon recipe by “I and love and you” is a tender canned food for cats with tooth problems. If you have a cat in his golden age or just started losing teeth, this soft canned food is very easy to consume. The texture does not contain chunky bits and chews easily. The best part is the balanced nutrition this recipe provides. The flavorful blend works perfectly for cats in all life stages and offers them the essential nutrition they need to stay happy and healthy. This formula includes lots of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins, and it has no artificial flavors, fillers, grain, or gluten.  


4. Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme Grain-Free Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Broth, 2. Chicken, 3. Tuna, 4. Pumpkin, 5. Sunflower Seed Oil

Serve your kitty with dental issues, a recipe it can cherish. This delicious food by Weruva is a perfectly balanced blend of essential nutrients, including minerals, vitamins, and taurine. This grain-free formula uses real chicken and pumpkin as its top ingredients. The canned food is cooked to perfection in savory pumpkin consommé and has tender bits in broth, making it easier for kitties with bad or no teeth to consume easily. The balanced meal can be given on its own or used as a topper to soften dry kibble for cats with missing teeth.

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5. Sheba Perfect Portions Grain-Free Multipack Savory Chicken, Roasted Turkey & Tender Beef Pate Cat Food Trays

Top 5 Ingredients

Chicken Pate: 1. Chicken, 2. Water, 3. Poultry Liver, 4. Chicken Broth, 5. Guar Gum
Beef Pate: 1. Beef, 2. Chicken, 3. Water, 4. Poultry Liver, 5. Chicken Broth
Turkey Pate: 1. Turkey, 2. Chicken, 3. Poultry Liver, 4. Water, 5. Poultry Broth

This variety pack by Sheba offers three flavorful grain-free recipes in meaty pate form that your toothless cats can enjoy. Whether your cat has a dental problem or is losing teeth with age, this recipe works well for providing essential nutrition. All three recipes contain real ingredients prepared in their natural juices for the best texture and flavors. The formula contains added vitamins, fish oil, minerals, and taurine and serves as a complete and balanced diet for adult cats, kittens, and nursing moms.  


6. Royal Canin Aging 12+ Thin Slices in Gravy Canned Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Water for Processing, 2. Pork By-Products, 3. Pork Liver, 4. Chicken, 5. Chicken Liver

If your cat is 12 years or older, this gravy-based canned food is your best bet. The recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of your senior cat. It contains a unique blend of ingredients striking an optimal balance between protein, carbs, and fats for long-term nutrition and excellent palatability. This senior cat food recipe is crafted to perfection with thin slices in a delicious gravy that does not require aggressive chewing.


7. Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Senior Vitality Salmon & Vegetable Stew Canned Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Broth, 2. Salmon, 3. Chicken, 4. Pork Liver, 5. Carrots

This easy-to-digest recipe by Hill’s Science Diet is ideal for adult cats that are seven years or older. The canned food is the purr-fect combination of savory taste and necessary nutrition and offers maximum support for your kitty’s interaction, vitality, energy, and brain function. If you have a kitty with a dental problem, this stew-based recipe is easy to eat. With natural and wholesome ingredients like salmon make for the protein content, this recipe also contains healthy fats such as essential fatty acids to ensure your kitty’s healthy fur and skin.


8. Nutro Perfect Portions Grain-Free Multi-Pack Real Turkey & Real Chicken Cuts in Gravy Recipe Cat Food Trays

Top 5 Ingredients

Chicken Recipe: 1. Chicken Broth, 2. Chicken, 3. Chicken Liver, 4. Pork Plasma, 5. Tapioca Starch
Turkey Recipe: 1. Turkey Broth, 2. Turkey, 3. Chicken, 4. Chicken Liver, 5. Pork Plasma

This multi-pack option by Nutro offers two distinct and delicious flavors that your kitty will love. The grain-free recipes contain real chicken and turkey cuts prepared in savory gravy as a mouthwatering treat for your beloved pet. Rich in protein, this recipe offers complete nutrition based on wholesome ingredients and is free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors. The savory chunks are easier to consume even by a toothless cat. Use it as a complete meal or as a topper on dry kibble.  


9. Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau Succulent Chicken in Chicken Consomme Grain-Free Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Broth, 3. Sunflower Seed Oil, 4. Tricalcium Phosphate, 5. Taurine

The shredded-style wet food option for adult cats is a high-protein option suitable for toothless cats and cats with bad or few teeth. The grain-free recipe does not contain gluten, pea, and GMO and contains real ingredients for the best nutrition for your kitty pal. The canned formula has shredded chicken as the primary ingredient and is prepared in chicken broth that provides moisture to keep your cat well hydrated. In addition to the nourishing flavors, the recipe contains amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and taurine to support overall health.


10. Fancy Feast Classic Broths with Chicken & Vegetables Supplemental Wet Cat Food Pouches

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Fish Broth, 2. Tuna, 3. Chicken, 4. Fish Extract, 5. Whitefish

Turn a boring mealtime into a succulent feast with fancy flavors of the Fancy Feast. This broth food topper recipe can turn any food into a savory meal. The delicious broth comes from real chicken and vegetables and softens dry food for cats with tooth problems. Each pouch is perfectly portioned with lickable textures of your cat’s favorite flavors in a decadent broth to tenderize other food options for your toothless cat.  


11. Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Mature Dry Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Barley, 5. Oatmeal

Serve this oh-so-delicious and nutrient-rich recipe to your aging cat. The enhanced recipe contains the natural ingredients needed to keep your senior cat healthy, active, and mobile. In addition to protein, minerals, and vitamins, the formula has the exclusive LifeSource Bits, which is a combination of immune-boosting veggies and fruits. I recommend this recipe for senior cats that begin to lose their teeth and experience other joint problems as it contains nutrients that can keep teeth and bone health in great shape.  

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12. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Brown Rice, 3. Corn Gluten Meal, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Chicken Meal

If your kitty has bad teeth and you’re looking for a diet solution that offers excellent oral care, this one’s your best bet. The dry kibble formula may not be the most suitable option for completely toothless cats. But softening it with warm water or broth will allow cats with some teeth to chew it easily. The nourishing recipe includes balanced nutrients for your pet’s dental care. The kibble formula helps reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar and also helps freshen your kitty’s breath. It offers complete nutrition with the best and wholesome ingredients to keep your cat healthy and in peak condition.  


13. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Mature Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Dried Chicken, 3. Deboned Turkey, 4. Chicken Meal, 5. Tapioca Starch

If you’re looking for a specialized cat food formula for senior cats, this recipe by Blue Buffalo won’t disappoint. This unique formula features 11 different protein sources, including fresh chicken, dried chicken, raw chicken, saltwater fish, turkey, and duck. In addition to protein, the recipe has all the essential nutrients your older cat requires to stay healthy. If your kitty has few or no teeth, you can still serve this savory meal by softening it with warm water or warm chicken broth.


Buyer’s Guide

Why Do Cats Lose Their Teeth

The first time a kitten loses the milk teeth around six months. Then they grow thirty adult teeth that consist of twelve incisors, four canines, ten premolars, and four molars. These teeth cannot be replaced once they fall out.

Adult cats lose teeth or suffer bad teeth due to oral problems and dental and gum diseases. A build-up of tartar and plaque can cause dental issues too. Without treatment, it can even affect the gums. Bacteria from plaque grow and infiltrate, causing severe and irreversible damage. Another reason for this is gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease. Gingivitis is reversible if treated promptly.

Aging is another factor that could cause your cat to lose teeth. And while that’s irreversible, you need to ensure the right nutrition beforehand to delay the process as much as you can.

Things to Know About Cats with Dental Problems

Unlike dogs, we rarely pay attention to our cat’s dental health. Unless there are prominent symptoms, a cat’s teeth remain unnoticed. As a responsible cat owner, it is important to be concerned about your little one’s dental health.

Here are four important things you need to know about cats with dental problems:

  1. Complete and balanced nutrition is essential: Nutrition works as the foundation for your cat’s healthy teeth. By offering balanced nutrition, you can guarantee your kitty’s overall great health, including teeth. So pay close attention to what you’re feeding your cat.
  2. Cat’s teeth need regular brushing: One of the best ways to prevent periodontal disease is to brush your cat’s teeth like you brush your own.
  3. Gum disease has stages: It is important to treat the problem in time to prevent the condition from getting worse. The first stage is gingivitis, reversible with routine dental care, treatment, and professional cleaning. If the disease progresses, it can cause loss of teeth.
  4. Dental problems lead to other health concerns: Cats with dental problems can rapidly lose weight and experience other health complications. If chewing becomes painful, they may refuse food altogether, which may deteriorate health.

What to Look for in A Cat’s Food for Cats with No Teeth or Bad/Few Teeth

These tips will help you feed a nutritious diet to your toothless cat or cat with few or bad teeth:

  • Gravy-based, soft, canned foods are recommended. Choose forms like soups, pate, terrines, meat with gravy, and shreds. Such foods require less chewing.
  • If your cat loves her dry food, try crushing them into smaller pieces to aid with eating. Add broth, gravy, or water to dry pieces to soften them.
  • Feed home-cooked meat and tenderize it enough for easy chewing. Serve in small shreds.
  • Mashing or blending wet food can create an easy-to-swallow meal.
  • Keep your cats hydrated by ensuring they have access to plenty of water all the time.

FAQs

1. At what age do cats start losing their baby teeth?

When a kitten turns six months old, they lose their baby teeth and start growing their adult teeth.

2. How do I know if my cat has dental problems?

Here are the tell-tale signs of a cat’s dental problems:

  • Tooth discoloration
  • Bad breath
  • Visible tartar
  • Pawing at the mouth or teeth
  • Drooling
  • Difficulty eating
  • Weight loss
  • Missing or loose teeth
  • Swollen, red, or bleeding gums
  • Indigestion

3. My cat has lost his front teeth. What could be the problem?

Tooth resorption and periodontal diseases are two common reasons why cats may lose one or more teeth. The loss of front teeth could also indicate gingivostomatitis, which is an oral health problem in which the immune system responds to plaque, leading to debilitating and severe oral pain.

4. What’s the best way to keep my cat’s teeth clean other than brushing?

These tips can help:

  1. Use dental gel. A dental gel is important for adult cats. Kittens will eventually lose their milk teeth.
  2. Use a dental prescription diet for your cat
  3. Provide them dental cat treats
  4. Let your cats play with dental cat toys

5. Can periodontal disease kill my cat?

Without treatment, a cat’s dental condition (especially periodontal disease) can result in chronic pain. The infection can eventually affect the cat’s overall health, leading to permanent organ damage. Treating the condition in time can save your cat’s life.

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Nadine Oraby

My name is Nadine; I am a passionate writer and a pet lover. People usually call me by the nickname “Joy” because they think that I am a positive and joyful person who is a child at heart. My love for animals triggered me to create this blog. Articles are written by vets, pet experts, and me. Thanks for visiting. Your friend, Nadine!

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