Dogs lose their teeth for various reasons, from age and dental issues to gum disease and disease progression. No matter the cause, though, an empty-mouthed pup still requires tasty treats in order to remain chewing happily and happy.
Finding treats with soft textures so your pup can easily chew down is the key to finding treats he or she enjoys eating, such as Pup-Peroni Minis Original Beef Flavor treats.
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Chewy Treats
Dogs without teeth can still enjoy treats, but they must be soft or chewy so as to eliminate the need for chewing, and should also be lower-calorie-dense as part of an appropriate diet plan.
Wet foods tend to be better for toothless senior dogs than dry kibble, especially if the pieces can be easily lapped up by them. But it is still important to keep in mind that choking can occur with these kinds of meals.
There are a variety of soft treats made primarily of meat that your toothless pup can easily gum down on. Although these treats tend to be more costly than traditional crunchy jerky treats, the extra expense may be worth paying in order to provide your toothless dog with something they will truly enjoy – while also contributing towards overall better health as hard-chew treats tend to contain high levels of flour and dyes.
Mini Treats
An even without teeth dog can still enjoy tasty snacks and treats! Pet shops carry plain biltong or beef jerkies that are easily chewable for toothless dogs to consume and can be stored without refrigeration. Freeze-dried liver or fish treats make an irresistible reward that your pup can lick off a spoon to reward themselves with treats; look for fat-free brands for optimal health benefits.
If you prefer cooking at home, try this delicious recipe for teethless dogs made with mashed sweet potato and pumpkin puree, baked into cookies. It provides a healthy alternative to hard kibble that may cause difficulty chewing for teethless dogs; chewing can lead to choking or digestive issues in these cases.
If your pup has lost most or all of its teeth, consider switching him over to wet food from a can or pouch. Wet foods tend to be easier for toothless dogs to consume due to their soft texture and more aromatic qualities, plus there’s often more variety when it comes to flavor options that satisfy more selective canine palates.
Soft Chews
An animal that lacks teeth may find comfort from chewing soft chews or freeze-dried treats to get their desired flavor and satisfaction, providing an excellent alternative to crunchy kibble or other treats which could harm their gums.
Hill’s makes several varieties of freeze-dried treats designed specifically to be easy for toothless dogs to gum on. Available in small and large sizes and grain-free, you can feel good giving multiple treats during training sessions.
Merrick Power Bites are another option that may help. These soft treats contain ingredients to support oral health by providing physical abrasion and inhibiting saliva putrefaction, plus New Zealand green-lipped mussel which contains Omega-3s to reduce inflammation and lubricate joints.
Soft Rubber Chew Toys
There are a few dog toys designed specifically for those without teeth. Search for something durable and machine washable; avoid toys with strings, eyes or any other parts that could come off and be consumed; additionally avoid rope, plastic and plush toys as these could all potentially pose risks.
Tug of war toys may dislodge remaining teeth, and chewing rope toys may irritate gums that remain sensitive. Consider rubber toys such as those offered by Kong Classic or Extreme line – which can withstand aggressive chewing habits – instead.
Natural treats may be too hard for toothless dogs to chew and may contain flour and dyes; thus, these should be avoided. Instead, look for soft, brand chews made largely of meat that are easy for them to gum down; such as ZippyPaws Skinny Peltz toys with their unique fox, raccoon and squirrel designs featuring three squeakers designed to draw dogs’ attention; these toys come in both small and medium sizes that accommodate pets up to 30 pounds.