Feeding A Dog With Missing Teeth

Like humans, dogs can have a missing tooth or a couple of them for various reasons. During this time, it will certainly affect eating habits, and determine what can or cannot be eaten.

When it comes on to your pup or dog, you must pay close attention to ensure your dog can comfortably eat whatever you place in his/her bowl.

Reasons for missing teeth

Dogs may have missing teeth for numerous reasons. The most common reason is being a puppy and being in that stage where permanent teeth begin to develop. Interestingly enough, certain breeds of puppies will never grow certain teeth, so they will always be missing one or two as they age.

In time, dogs may also develop periodontal disease which may cause teeth to fall out or have to be removed. Other dogs are missing teeth as a result of injury or trauma to the mouth.

What to feed a dog with missing teeth

It’s natural to think that a dog’s food options are limited with missing teeth, and often this is the case. Puppies are better off with softer foods, as are dogs who have not healed from trauma or injury to the mouth.

Older dogs are generally able to continue with their normal diets, as their hard palates are capable of crushing hard kibbles and pellets.

This, of course, ultimately depends on your dog, so you will have to try different foods to see how your dog reacts. If you notice your dog leaves behind a ton of hard foods in his/her bowl, then this a clear sign he/she should be on a soft foods diet.