Many people associate small dogs with less maintenance. However, if your best buddy is a smaller dog, you know that this common misconception is far from the truth.
For starters, small dogs tend to live longer than larger dogs, meaning you’re left with more years of old age and, consequently, more time for problems to arise.
With their smaller size comes the possibility of other dog health problems, such as arthritis or tooth loss.
As your dog ages, it becomes even more important to monitor their oral health and adjust their diet as their teeth deteriorate or fall out entirely. Although this can be difficult at first, once you find the right foods, you’ll find a feeding routine that ensures your dog gets the nutrients they need easily and without pain.
In this guide, you’ll learn what you can feed your aging small dog as their teeth begin to fail them that will keep them healthy and full. You’ll also discover some of the best dog food for older small dogs with few teeth to ensure they get the nutrients they need.
Table of Contents
- Best Dog Food For Older Small Dogs With Few Teeth
- What to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Older Small Dogs with Few Teeth
- Wrap Up: Choosing the Best Dog Food For Older Small Dogs With Few Teeth
Best Dog Food For Older Small Dogs With Few Teeth
If this is your first time as a dog owner with an aging pet, it could be difficult to figure out what to feed your old dog to ensure they’re satisfied with their diet. To help you out, here are some tips to help you pick the best dog food for older small dogs with few teeth.
What to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Older Small Dogs with Few Teeth
Small dogs are at an additional disadvantage when their teeth fall out because, unlike large canines, small dogs have small teeth and mouths to begin with. So, if you aren’t familiar with caring for an older dog, it can be difficult to find the right type of dog food that’s soft on their teeth while also satisfying them. But regardless of the type of dog food you choose, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Wet Food Is Best
Wet food or canned food is preferable for a toothless dog. It is:
- Easier for your older dog to chew
- Easier for them to swallow
- Is gentler on their digestive system
That said, if your dog’s only missing a few teeth, that doesn’t mean you should automatically switch from kibble to wet food. They may still be able to eat dry kibble. Look for kibble that’s smaller or has a softer texture to make it easier to eat.
Texture
Speaking of texture, that is another important element to look out for in your dog food of choice: whether you choose dry or wet food.
For example, your dog may prefer ground kibble as they age, or they may want minced meat as opposed to large chunks of meat.
Here’s a pro-tip: mix your dog’s kibble with wet dog food to make it easier for them to eat.
High Quality Nutrients
The best dog food for older small dogs with few teeth also has a series of high-quality nutrients to maintain your dog’s health.
This is especially important if you notice that your dog’s teeth are starting to fall out, as they’re most likely becoming deficient in certain nutrients.
Choose dog food with the right vitamins and minerals, as well as the right amount of protein and healthy fats.
Taste
Beyond that, the most important element of dog food that your pooch will care about is the taste.
It doesn’t matter if you have all the other elements of the dog food figured out — dogs are stubborn, so if they don’t like the food, you’ll have a hard time getting them to eat it.
You won’t exactly know how your dog will react to the taste of their food until they try it, so be prepared for some trial and error.
Wrap Up: Choosing the Best Dog Food For Older Small Dogs With Few Teeth
Choosing dog food for your dog is already a challenge, but the difficulty increases as your little pup enters maturity and consequently needs more care and attention, especially when it comes to their diet.
Wet food is the safest route when it comes to choosing food for older small dogs with few teeth, but an in-between moist kibble such as Purina Moist & Meaty can serve as a good transition from dry kibble to wet food if your dog still has some of their teeth. You can also mix wet and dry food together. But no matter how you approach feeding your near-toothless dog, ensure they continue to get the nutrients they need.