It's never easy to watch your dog grow older with each passing year. While no one wants to see their beloved canine companion become slower and less energetic, the last thing you want to do is disregard the signs of aging. From low energy levels to severe joint discomfort, senior dogs can endure a wide range of symptoms.
Dental troubles are one of the more difficult topics to deal with. Teeth problems are rather prevalent in senior dogs. After the age of four, around 85 percent of all dogs lose at least one tooth. Dental problems are common in the dog world, despite the best efforts of veterinarians and diligent owners.
Table could not be displayed.As you might expect, eating normal kibble is difficult for an elderly dog with damaged teeth. Dental issues can have a significant impact on a dog's diet. Many people will refrain from eating altogether if it means avoiding pain. Fortunately, there are workarounds for bad teeth.
Soft dog snacks can meet your dog's nutritional needs without the uncomfortable crunch. They have a mushy texture that even toothless dogs can eat, unlike hard kibble.
There are a plethora of soft dog foods available to tempt your dog while also supporting their health. Here are some of our favorites!
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Here's a canned food item that will help you without breaking the bank! Pedigree creates a loose texture by grinding components.
It's like a gelatinous goo with no substantial bits. Everything is ground to a fine consistency, allowing dogs to ingest it without using their teeth at all.
In terms of flavor, most dogs will eat this meal without hesitation! It contains chicken, beef, and liver. It also contains a good amount of beneficial fats. The fat not only enhances the flavor, but it also nourishes the skin.
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Blue Buffalo is an excellent choice. The dry formula of the brand is one of the best on the market. This canned version takes all of the benefits of kibble and makes them available to dogs that are unable to chew.
It's a grain-free and gluten-free recipe with all-natural ingredients. Protein comes primarily from turkey, chicken, and chicken liver. Those meats are mashed into a nice mash that any dog can consume.
Because this composition is designed for elders, it contains substances that promote joint health and mobility.
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Purina One's SmartBlend formula food is gourmet food in a can! It has no fillers of any kind. Instead, it has visible pieces of mushy meat.
There is no ground-up texture in this recipe. The slices of natural lamb, on the other hand, are swimming in savory chicken broth. As a result, each piece is extremely soft and simple to chew.
Overall, this meal is a treat that your dog will appreciate. It satisfies all of your dog's dietary requirements and is bursting with taste. What more could you ask for?
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Hill's Science is another brand worth investigating. This canned formula, like the dry food items, encouraged good health through balanced nutrition.
It contains lean protein from chicken and pork liver to help build muscle.
Meanwhile, a variety of nutritious veggies delivers a wealth of vitamins and minerals.
The food appears to be a stew that you might have made on your stove! It's soft and flavorful enough to satisfy even the pickiest of dogs. It's also healthy for the digestive system and improves regularity due to its high fiber content.
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This soft senior pate comes from the Wellness line. This meal is designed specifically for senior dogs and provides adequate nutrients to help your pet age gracefully. You'd never guess it was a blend of premium proteins including chicken and whitefish!
This is due to the meal being mashed into a fine paste. The consistency may not be pleasing to human palates, but it's a paradise for a dog with dental troubles! Your dog can lick up all the nutrition he or she requires to keep healthy.
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Purina's Prepared Meals range includes this product. It mimics the goodness of a home-cooked meal. However, it has already been prepared and is ready to eat!
This recipe calls for wild rice, sweet potatoes, and turkey. It has actual turkey meat pieces swimming in a delicious gravy.
The meal is nutritious, flavorful, and well-balanced. While it isn't mashed into a paste, the individual pieces are soft and tasty. The meat is tender enough for most dogs to consume due to the lengthy cooking process.
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Here's an interesting alternative to canned and dried foods. To generate a moisture-free product, the Honest Kitchen runs the food through a powerful dehydrator. Simply add some warm water and wait for the meal to come to life!
The texture of prepared food is akin to mashed potatoes. It's lickable, tasty, and gentle on the teeth. Best of all, the formula is excellent.
Protein content is approximately 24.5 percent. The majority of that is made up of dried chicken meat. Premium ingredients such as barley, flaxseed, oats, and others are also available.
Dental problems in dogs are fairly complicated. Throughout its life, your pet's teeth are put through the wringer. If you don't take care of your dog's teeth, they can develop a variety of painful conditions.
Periodontal (Gum) Disease
By far the most frequent dental issue afflicting domesticated dogs is periodontal disease. It is estimated that more than two-thirds of dogs over the age of three have Periodontal disease.
This illness appears to begin innocently enough. Plaque is formed by bacteria in the mouth and adheres to the surface of the teeth. Plaque eventually hardens and hardens into dental calculus. Calculus, often known as plaque, is a stiff material that can be removed with a dental pick.
The same thing happens with human teeth.
The longer plaque is allowed to accumulate on the teeth, the worse it becomes. Your dog will get gum infections sooner or later. Bacteria migrate beneath the gum line and wreak havoc on the tooth structure.
Bone loss happens gradually but steadily. Without the use of X-rays, the loss is not immediately obvious. However, the disease's consequences become increasingly visible as it progresses.
Periodontal Disease is classified into four phases by veterinarians. The initial stage is quite harmless, and there are treatments available to protect the teeth from further damage.
By stage four, your dog has had bone loss of 50% or more.
They're probably in a lot of discomfort and at risk of losing a lot of teeth. In the late stages of the condition, your dog is also vulnerable to secondary infections.
When germs enter the bloodstream, they can cause systemic illnesses. These infections are not only potentially fatal, but they can also spread fast to other organs.
Periodontal disease is no laughing matter! If you feel that your dog is in the early stages of the condition, you must seek veterinarian care immediately.
Physical Injury
Your dog's teeth are not invincible. They may sustain shock and harm. Chewing on hard, no-give objects causes structural tooth damage in dogs.
Chewing on non-bending toys, hard bones, or dry antlers, for example, is fairly common among dogs. Many of the dried treats on the market today represent a significant risk.
A fractured tooth can affect any dog. However, it is more likely to afflict people who already have dental problems. Remember that periodontal disease causes gradual bone loss. As a result, those chompers are far more likely to break.
Physical trauma can result in both short-term and long-term pain. The nerves inside your dog's tooth become exposed, causing a great deal of pain. Tiny pieces might potentially cause gum damage or provide a choking threat to your dog.
Abscess of the Tooth Root
One of the more significant consequences of a damaged tooth is an abscess. Bacteria can enter the tooth and travel to the root through even tiny cracks. It creates severe infection there.
The bacteria invade the pulp tissue, resulting in the formation of an abscess. The pus-filled area can appear in a variety of sites. The infection will harm the tooth if not treated immediately because the abscess contaminates the bone around the root.
It's a risky problem that can only be cured by root canal surgery.
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