7 Best Cat Foods For Cats With Bad Teeth

This is our review of the best cat foods for cats with bad teeth.

There are several reasons why a cat might lose their teeth and while it is impossible to save every tooth, you can do your best to meet your cat’s nutritional needs even when they can’t chew properly/

We have compiled here the best food options if you are caring for a cat with bad or no teeth.

Our top choice is Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts With Gravy. 

But we don’t stop there. We also have six other easy-to-eat options covering all type of cats.

Our Top Pick of Cat Food For Cats With Few Teeth

• Best Overall – Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts With Gravy
• Best Premium – The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Cat Food
• Best Budget – Purina Pro Plan Prime
• Best For Oral Care  – Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care
• Best Senior – Royal Canin Ageing Cat Food
• Best Dry Food – Blue Buffalo Basics Dry Cat Food
• Best Treats – Blue Buffalo Wilderness Soft-Moist Cat Treats

7 Best Cat Food For Cats With No Teeth (or Few/Bad Teeth) Reviewed 

All the recommendations below follow AAFCO’s nutritional guide and can be great options for your cat with dental problems.

Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts With Gravy

First 5 Ingredients: Water, Chicken, Poultry By-Products, Animal Plasma, Tapioca Starch

Guaranteed Analysis: 7% Protein, 2.5% Fat, 1.5% Fiber, 84% Moisture

Caloric Content: 31 kcal ME/serving

Type of Product: Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Pea-Free

Life Stage: Adult

Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5

This wet food contains high quality protein from real meat sources. This recipe is high in protein, moderate fat content and low carbs along with other macronutrients such as Tuarine, minerals and fish oils providing complete nutrition to your cat with dental issues.

Sheba Perfect Portions are grain free and free from any hard to digest ingredients making it much easier for cats to digest this food without causing any digestive issues making it ideal for cats with bad or no teeth.

The pate in gravy texture of this food is ideal for cats with bad or no teeth as cats don’t need to chew it too much and gulp it down.

Customers also love the fact that their cats absolutely love this food and will eat it happily.

What We Like:

• Soft texture food that is easy to eat
• Has real proteins as the first ingredient
• Free of grain and artificial ingredients such as preservatives and colouring
• Provides complete nutrition
• Comes in a number of flavours

What We Don’t Like:

• Some customers complain of the mess
• Some cats might not like the cuts and prefer the pate

The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Cat Food

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, sweet potatoes, potatoes, flaxseed, whole eggs

Guaranteed Analysis: 35% Protein, 28% Fat, 2.5% Fiber, 5% Moisture

Caloric Content: 4450 (kCal/kg)

Type of Product: Human-Grade, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Natural, High-Protein, Non-GMO

Life Stage: Adult

Our Rating: 5 out of 5

This human-grade formula is dehydrated as a convenient option for cat parents who want wet food without storage space. 

This food is high in fat, 28%, so it might not be the best option for cats that are prone to gaining weight.

It is high in calories and perfect for cats with no teeth. Cats also love the texture and the taste of this food.

Cat parents love how easy it is to make and serve its cat.

What We Like:

• Human Grade and Organic ingredients
• No common allergy causing ingredients such as corn, wheat etc.
• High fat content for energy
• Easy to store

What We Don’t Like:

• Expensive

 Purina Pro Plan Prime

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Water, Liver, Meat By-Products, Soybean Oil

Guaranteed Analysis: 9% Protein, 7% Fat, 1.5% Fiber, 78% Moisture

Caloric Content: 105 kcal/can

Type of Product: Grain-Free, High-Protein

Life Stage: Senior

Our Rating: 4 out of 5

This formula has been specifically designed for older cats with high quality high content protein to provide your cat with all the nutrients it requires.

The Purina formula is soft and easily digestible so that your senior cat with bad teeth can eat it comfortably.

This formula is also full of essential minerals and vitamins such as omega fatty acids that are great for the coat and skin health. It also includes chicory root which is a prebiotic that helps improve gut health in cats.

It does have some artificial flavours and by products which we don’t really like.

What We Like:

• Great value for money
• Protein from real meat
• Soft and easy to eat food
• Available in a variety of flavours

What We Don’t Like:

• Contains Artificial colour
• Contains vegetable which can be hard for some cats to digest

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Powdered Cellulose

Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Protein, 17.5% Fat, 10% Fiber, 10% Moisture

Caloric Content: 331 kcal/cup

Type of Product: Oral care specific

Life Stage: Adult

Our Rating: 3.5 out of 5

This recipe has been specifically formulated to maintain and improve oral health in cats. It is particularly effective in removing tartar and plaque.

With high quality protein content, moderate fat and low carb content this formula is a quality dry cat food for cats with dental problems.

This is particularly good at preventing further dental problems from occurring.

It does contain grains which can make it hard for some cats to digest so if your cat has a sensitive stomach this might not be the best choice for your kitty.

Also if your cat has swollen gums or missing teeth, this food is a bit hard and might hurt your cat’s gums so we advise soaking it in warm water to make it softer for your cat to eat it easily.

What We Like:

• Specifically designed for oral health
• Nutritionally complete

What We Don’t Like:

• Contains vegetables
• Contains grains

Royal Canin Ageing Cat Food

First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient For Processing, Pork By-Products, Pork Liver, Chicken, Chicken Liver

Guaranteed Analysis: 9% Protein, 2.5% Fat, 1.8% Fiber, 82% Moisture

Caloric Content: 71 kcal/can

Type of Product: Formula for Older Cats

Life Stage: Senior, Adult

Our Rating: 4 out of 5

This is one of the most easily eatable foods that cats can comfortably have when they have no or bad teeth. The texture and softness is almost perfect and your cat would have no problem eating it up. 

Royal canin says that it focuses more on nutrients than ingredients so you’ll see some by products in their formula although we are not totally sold on this but cat owners say their cats love this formula and have had no health problems.

This formula is also low in phosphorus, which has been linked to kidney problems in senior cats. This is an added advantage of this food along with being easy to eat and providing all the nutrients for your senior cat with bad teeth.

What We Like:

• Easy to eat
• Nutritionally complete
• Low in Phosphorus
• Glucosamine and chondroitin

What We Don’t Like:

• Contains by-products
• Contains grain like wheat flour

Blue Buffalo Basics Dry Cat Food

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Pea Protein, Peas, Tapioca Starch

Guaranteed Analysis: 30% Protein, 14% Fat, 6% Fiber, 9% Moisture

Caloric Content: 403 kcal/cup

Type of Product: Limited Ingredient Diet, Natural, Sensitive Digestion

Life Stage: Adult

Our Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Blue Buffalo’s Limited Ingredient Diet is a great cat food for older cats with bad teeth because it is easily digestible and offers a nutritionally complete diet to senior cats.

Turkey is the single source of protein in this food which makes it easier for senior cats to digest the food without causing any digestive issues.

The protein content is 28%, which is a bit lower than other kibble but this is actually good for senior cats which can be at risk of kidney problems if they get excessive proteins in their diet.

The size of the kibble is quite small so it won’t fall out of cat’s mouth that having missing teeth and they can swallow small kibble more easily without chewing it properly.

You can also soak it in warm water if your cat doesn’t have any teeth making it easier for them to eat it.

What We Like:

• Single source of protein
• Filler Free
• Senior cat specific minerals and vitamins
• Easily digestible

What We Don’t Like:

• A bit pricey

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Soft-Moist Cat Treats

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Potatoes, Vegetable Glycerin, Gelatin

Guaranteed Analysis: 25% Protein, 18% Fat, 2% Fiber, 28% Moisture

Caloric Content: 1.5 kcal/treat

Type of Product: High-Protein, Grain-Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Natural

Life Stage: Adult, Senior

Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5

These treats are soft and chewy, making them very easy for your cat to enjoy their treat.

It is free from any artificial preservatives or fillers and is an all natural way to treat your cat.

It is low in protein but high in fat making it an ideal treat for senior cats with bad or no teeth as senior cats dont require that much protein but can get their energy from fats.

What We Like:

• High Quality protein
• Soft and Chewy
• High fat content

What We Don’t Like:

• Nothing

Why Do Cats Lose Their Teeth?

There are a few reasons why cats lose their teeth. Kittens lose their teeth to get adult teeth. But adult and senior cats usually lose them due to periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is when plaque and tartar are on the teeth and gums and start damaging the gum tissue. This leads to a loss of teeth because the bacteria destroy the area holding them.

This usually happens due to ageing and declining oral health in senior cats. If your cat isn’t a senior and has teeth issues, there might be underlying health issues that need to be checked by veterinarians.

Around 80% of cats and dogs will suffer from some form of dental disease by the age of 3. It is important to get regular vet check ups and have a good pet cleaning regime.

Health Problems Associated With Your Cat’s Dental Health

Deterioration in your cat’s dental health can cause other health issues to develop in your cat.

These can include:

• Weight Loss
• Halitosis (Bad Breath)
• Pain
• Heart Disease
• Liver Disease

The harmful bacteria can reach the heart and liver tissues and cause issues if left untreated.

Halitosis is a common symptom of infection and contamination in the mouth.

Signs That Your Cat is Suffering From Dental Issues

There are a few symptoms that your cat has dental problems. These can include:

• Tooth Loss
• Bad Breath
• Bleeding Gums
• Blood on food or toys
• Weight Loss
• Difficulty eating or not eating as usual
• Bumps in mouth or jaw
• Fatigue

If your cat suffers from any of these symptoms, take your cat to the vet immediately.

Buying Guide: What To Look For When Selecting Food For Older Cats With Bad Teeth?

How do you choose the best cat food for your cat with bad teeth? Here’s what to look for.

Soft Texture

First thing, you need to find soft food that your cat can easily eat. Wet or soft dry cat food are the best options if your cat has bad teeth.

Choose wet food, dehydrated options (add broth or water if they are super dry to make it softer), freshly cooked soft food or even raw food.

Always consult your vet on the best food for your cat.

You can also Read These Raw Cat Food Recipes, if you are eager to try it out.

High Protein Content

Make sure the food you are buying for you cat with bad teeth should have high protein content and nutritionally dense so that your cat can get all the nutrients your cat needs.

Protein is essentially important as it provides nutrients like l-lysine that support a cat’s metabolism and calcium is important for cat’s bones, teeth and gums.

Wet and dehydrated cat food has 3 times the protein content than their wet matter basis analysis. So if the wet food product label says 10% Crude Protein it actually has 30% Protein on Dry Matter Basis.

High Quality Nutrients

Make sure that the food you choose has all the nutrients your cat requires to stay healthy and happy.

You will want to ensure that the food has high protein content, moderate fat content and low carb content along with omega fatty acids, calcium, potassium, taurine, phosphorus, and glucosamine.

Easily Digestible

As cats age their digestive system starts getting old as well and isn’t able to work as it used to. You need to feed your cat food that is easily digestible.

Look for food that has fiber and probiotics that help gut health and help cats digest food better.

Old cats with bad teeth are not able to chew food properly and hence the food would not be digested properly in the stomach. Digestible food will help ensure that all the food is digested properly and your cat gets all the nutrients it requires from the food.

Appealing Taste

Cats might be reluctant to eat food if they have bad or no teeth. You need to make the food more appetising for your cat. This means finding food with more fat and flavourings such as liver, fish oils. Gravy etc.

Senior-Specific Formulas

If you have a senior cat with bad teeth or no teeth, it might be best to feed your cat Senior-specific formulas.

Senior-specific formulas have a higher water content and a higher content of macro nutrients such as calcium that can be really helpful for senior cats with bad teeth or no teeth.

Even if your cat isn’t a senior yet, it might be better to put them on a senior-specific diet to help with their teeth issues.

Ingredients to Avoid

Avoid cat food with too much carbohydrate content. Food is usually high in carbohydrates and usually has high grain content such as wheat, rice and corn. It is okay to have a little bit of these ingredients but make sure it is not at the start of the ingredient list.

Look out and avoid food that have artificial ingredients such as additives, flavouring and colouring. Always avoid butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) ingredients in cat food.

Read this article on Bad Cat Food Ingredients to Avoid in Cat Food.

How To Prevent Dental Issues in Cats?

Like humans, it is important to take care of a cat’s teeth. Here are some of the ways you can ensure your kitty doesn’t run into dental problems and has great healthy teeth.

• Brush Your Cat’s Teeth: When it comes to preventing dental issues in your cat, brushing is the best thing you can do for your cat. Brush your cat’s teeth on a regular basis. We recommend this pet teeth cleaning kit which is easy to use and effective.
• Dry Cat Food: Dry cat food actually helps clean the cat’s teeth by removing plaque and tartar from the teeth.
• Cat Diet: Make sure your cat’s diet has enough calcium and vitamins to ensure your cat’s teeth remain healthy and strong.
• Dental Treats: Dental treats are delicious for your cat and also help remove plaque and tartar from teeth. We recommend this dental treat for your cat.
• Regular Vet Checkups: Take your furry friend to the vet regularly to ensure they are healthy and catch issues before they become big problems.

Our Verdict

Even if your cat has lost their teeth or has bad teeth, it doesn’t mean they can’t have nutritious and delicious food. There are many options for senior cats with bad teeth and we have listed our favorites.

Our number one pick is Sheba Perfect Portions Cuts With Gravy

FAQs