What can dogs with dental problems eat

Dogs can't speak. When there are problems with their teeth, they often can only convey their discomfort through some behavioral manifestations. As their guardians, we must keenly capture these signals and give appropriate care, and the selection of suitable food is a crucial part of it.

As dogs age, dental problems become more common. Gingivitis is a relatively common one. The inflamed and swollen gums may cause pain for dogs when they eat. Periodontal disease is also not uncommon. If gingivitis is not treated in a timely manner, it is likely to develop into periodontal disease, resulting in damage to the tissues around the teeth, loss of alveolar bone, and in severe cases, the teeth will become loose or even fall out. Dental plaque and tartar are also factors that trouble the dental health of dogs. Dental plaque begins to grow within a few minutes after brushing teeth, and after mineralization, it forms tartar, which is difficult to remove by brushing and requires teeth cleaning. In addition, there are also dental trauma and occlusion problems, etc., which may affect the normal eating and quality of life of dogs. When we find that dogs show signs such as loss of appetite, dropping food while eating, and scratching their mouths with their paws, it is very likely that there are already problems with their teeth. At this time, in addition to taking them to see a veterinarian in a timely manner, we also need to make adjustments in their diet.

For dogs with dental problems, the primary principle is to choose foods that are easy to chew and digest to avoid increasing the burden on their teeth. Softened dog food is a good choice. We can soak dry dog food in warm water or low-sodium chicken broth and then feed it to the dog after it becomes soft. This can not only retain the nutrients in the dog food but also allow the dog to eat easily and reduce the pressure on its teeth. When soaking, pay attention to controlling the amount of water to ensure that the dog food reaches an appropriate softness and hardness. Generally speaking, soak for about 15 - 20 minutes until the dog food fully absorbs the water and becomes soft. If the soaking time is too long, the dog food may be too soft and mushy, affecting the taste and nutrition; if the time is too short, the softening effect will not be achieved.

Wet food is also a suitable food for dogs with bad teeth. The texture of wet food on the market is usually relatively soft, making it convenient for dogs to chew. When choosing wet food, be sure to select high-quality products and carefully check the ingredient list to ensure a balanced nutrition. High-quality wet food is rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals, which can meet the physical needs of dogs. For example, some wet foods with fresh meat as the main raw material are not only delicious but also easy to digest, and can provide dogs with rich animal protein, helping to maintain their physical strength and health.

Making homemade soft food is also a good way to care for the dental health of dogs. We can choose meats such as chicken breast, duck meat, and fish meat. These meats are rich in high-quality protein and the meat is relatively tender. Pair them with vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins, and broccoli. Carrots are rich in carotene, pumpkins are rich in dietary fiber, and broccoli contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, which are rich and comprehensive in nutrition. Wash and cut the meats into pieces, wash and chop the vegetables, put them all in a pot and cook them, and then use a blender to crush them into a paste. If there is no blender, you can also use a spoon to crush the cooked food into a puree. The homemade soft food not only ensures the nutrition but also is convenient for the dog to eat. During the production process, do not add too many seasonings, keep the original flavor of the food, and avoid bringing additional burdens to the dog's stomach and mouth.

Nutritional pastes and goat milk powder are excellent nutritional supplements for dogs whose teeth have almost all fallen out or have difficulties in chewing and swallowing. Nutritional pastes are rich in a variety of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which can quickly supplement energy and nutrition for dogs. You can directly squeeze the nutritional paste on the dog's mouth for it to lick, or apply it on some of its favorite snacks to increase the attractiveness. Goat milk powder is easy to digest and absorb, and its nutritional components are similar to those of breast milk, which can provide rich nutrition for dogs. When making goat milk powder, follow the ratio indicated in the product instructions. The water temperature should not be too high, generally controlled at about 40 - 50 degrees Celsius to avoid destroying the nutrients. Let the brewed goat milk powder cool down to a warm temperature and then feed it to the dog.

Bone broth is also a good choice. Put the bones (such as beef bones, pork bones, etc.) in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and cook them until they are very soft, and then separate the bones from the meat. Bone broth is rich in calcium and collagen. It can not only be mixed in the food to increase the taste but also promote the health of the dog's bones and teeth. It should be noted that do not feed the bones themselves to the dog. Even if the bones are cooked very soft, there may still be a risk of scratching the mouth and digestive tract.

In addition to the selection of food, we also need to pay attention to the dog's eating methods and habits. Avoid feeding overly hard foods, such as bones and hard dog biscuits, etc. These foods may cause secondary damage to the dog's already problematic teeth. For senior dogs or dogs with more serious dental problems, since their digestion ability is relatively weak, it is recommended to feed them in several times, and the amount of each feeding should not be too much. In this way, it can not only ensure the intake of nutrients but also will not cause too much burden on the stomach and intestines. At the same time, let the dog develop good eating habits, feed it regularly and in a fixed amount, and avoid it being picky about food. If the dog is picky about food, you can correct it by feeding it several small meals a day and reduce the intake of snacks to ensure that the dog obtains enough nutrients from the main meals.

Every dog is a little angel in our lives. When there are problems with their teeth, we should give them more patience and love. By reasonably choosing food and carefully taking care of their diet, we can help dogs relieve pain, allow them to still enjoy delicious food, and maintain their health and happiness. I hope that every dog owner can become a guardian of their dog's dental health and accompany them through every wonderful moment.