best dog food for senior dogs with dental problems

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

Contributions sourced from

5 Best Dog Foods for Bad Teeth (2024)

How to Choose the Best Foods for Dogs with Bad Teeth

Whether a dogs teeth have been worn down by misuse, broken off, missing, loose, or decayed, dogs that suffer from poor dental health will have a hard time eating and enjoying their meals.

In some cases, a switch to the best food for dogs with dental problems can help remove excess plaque and tartar and restore good oral health.

However, unfortunately, if a dog is suffering from advanced gingivitis or periodontal disease, it may be necessary for the dog to undergo a dental at a veterinary clinic.

Dentals can help remove plaque and tartar and improve odors coming from the mouth. However, in some cases, damage to the teeth and gums is irreversible, and at best, can only be managed not improved.

Identifying whether or not a dog has a dental issue that requires more than just a dietary change to see improvements can be challenging. However, there are some symptoms dogs with oral health problems often exhibit.

Among the most common indications seen in dogs with dental concerns are:

Loose teeth
Bleeding gums
Redness of the gums
Eating or yawning accompanied by vocalizations
Blood found on toys
Bumps in the mouth
Bad breath
Bloody saliva
Avoidance of head petting
Lack of interest in crunchy foods

To help prevent tooth decay and gum problems from occurring in dogs, owners can provide preventative maintenance through a variety of different means.

This will help keep plaque and tartar from accumulating, one of the most common issues that leads to more serious dental complications down the road.

Among the things veterinarians recommend to promote good dental health in dogs are:

An excellent quality diet
Toys that encourage chewing
Fruits and vegetables fed as snacks or treats
Regular tooth brushing with a dog toothpaste
Once or twice yearly dental checkups at a veterinarians office
Dental cleanings on an as-needed basis

The ratio of calcium to phosphorus contained in food can play a vital role in preserving a dogs dental health. The optimal amount to look for is 1.2 parts of calcium for every part of phosphorus.

Some dog breeds have a natural predisposition toward developing bad teeth. These include toy breeds and Greyhounds. To keep their teeth and gums in good health, it is important to stay on top of tooth brushing and regular dental care.

Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Dogs with Bad Teeth

How much of the best food for bad teeth a dog eats is equally as important as the ingredients found within it. Since many dog breeds will overeat if allowed to free feed, it is best to always carefully measure and monitor all food intake.

To determine how much to feed a dog, it is an excellent idea to use the suggested serving size on the bag as a starting point. This can be adjusted with the dogs weight, activity level, and appetite serving as a helpful guide.

As a basic rule of thumb, senior dogs need a diet with 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. Puppies should be fed excellent quality puppy food that has 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat with slightly higher amounts also desirable.

Dietary Requirements for Dogs with Bad Teeth

A dietary change can play a great role in helping dogs that suffer as a result of bad teeth. However, there are other things owners can do in addition to a switch in food that can support good oral health.

These include:

Feeding raw, meaty bones to prevent tartar accumulation
Focusing on foods that are high in antioxidants to support a strong immune system and healthy gums
Including fatty acid supplements to reduce inflammation in gums
Feeding a probiotic to ensure good digestion

Dogs experiencing problems as a result of bad teeth need top-quality nutrition to help improve their oral health. This begins with a diet that places lean meat as its primary ingredient. Whole meats are preferred, but meat meals are also an excellent dense source of protein.

Because plant-based proteins such as soy, wheat, and corn are common allergens for many dogs, foods that place a high emphasis on these ingredients should be avoided. They are also difficult for dogs to digest well, making them of lesser nutritional value.

When it comes to senior dogs with few or no teeth, its best to avoid feeding them raw meat and bones. They may be difficult to chew and may cause digestive issues. Instead, opt for softer proteins such as canned food or cooked meats.

The best foods for dogs with dental problems are typically free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. These items do not benefit dogs in any way and can lead to the development of skin or stomach sensitivities in some dogs.

No exceptional quality diet would be complete without a healthy serving of good fats. Healthy fats provide the omega fatty acids dogs need for an excellent coat and skin quality. The best sources of healthy fats are animal-based and include such items as chicken fat and oily fish.

Highly digestible carbohydrates in the form of whole grains, fruits, and/or vegetables form an important part of a healthy diet for dogs with dental issues.

A diet that includes supplements offers dogs additional health benefits which can boost everything from digestion to skin and coat health and excellent joint function. Among the best supplements to look for include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.

There are several natural ingredients owners can give to their dogs on their own or look for in complete and balanced nutrition to help keep their dogs teeth healthy. These include:

Carrots
Apples
Apple cider vinegar
Bananas
Kefir
Honey
Yogurt
Coconut oil
Mint
Parsley

These ingredients will help improve odorous breath as a result of bad teeth.

Things to Look for in the Best Food for Dogs with Bad Teeth

Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in dog food for bad teeth:

Whole meat or meat meal proteins heading up the ingredients list
Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
Crafted with a hard, crunchy outer coating that provides scrubbing action for the teeth

5 Best Dog Foods for Teeth & Dental Health: 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Dental problems are one of the most common health issues that dogs are likely to face, and many pooches find themselves with broken or missing teeth by the time they reach their golden years.

If thats the case, then it may be time to switch to a specialized kibble designed to combat common oral hygiene issues. The foods shown in the reviews below have all been created for dogs with dental problems, and they can help clean your pups teeth and gums while they eat.

The kibbles on this list are the best dog food for teeth and will help keep your dogs dental health in tip-top shape.

Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pets individual case.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorite Choices in 2024

The 5 Best Dog Foods for Teeth and Dental Health

1. Hills Prescription Diet Dental Care Dry Dog Food Best Overall

Youll need a doctors note to get it, but Hills Prescription Diet Dental Care is the best food that weve found for keeping your dogs oral hygiene at its best.

This food uses proprietary fiber-matrix technology to scrub your pups teeth and gumlines. It can help reduce plaque and tartar and even remove stains.

The shape of the kibble helps clean your dogs teeth as well. It gently removes any sort of buildup while they crunch it, so their teeth should actually be in better shape the more they eat (be sure to watch their waistline, though).

The ingredients list is loaded with antioxidants as well, thanks to foods like soybean oil, pork fat, and the various vitamins that theyve used to supplement it. It should also be gentle on your pups stomach, as brewers rice is the first ingredient.

The rest of the foods on the list dont inspire much confidence, though. They include suspect foods like corn, chicken by-product meal, and artificial flavors. This isnt the best food you can feed your dog by a long shot but it is probably the best dog for teeth & dental health, which is the focus of this list.

If your dog has dental issues, you wont do better than feeding them Hills Prescription Diet Dental Care, which is why it earns the top spot here.

Uses proprietary fiber-matrix technology to clean teeth
Special shape whisks away debris
Many antioxidants on the ingredients list
Good for sensitive stomachs

Uses substandard ingredients like animal by-products

2. Hills Science Diet Adult Oral Care Dry Dog Food Best Value

Hills Science Diet Adult Oral Care is basically a non-prescription version of our top choice, so while its not quite as good, it is quite a bit cheaper. Wed go so far as to call it the best dog food for teeth and dental health for the money.

It uses the same fiber-matrix technology to clean your dogs mouth, doing everything from scrubbing teeth to freshening breath. However, it has a slightly better ingredients list, as chicken is the first ingredient rather than rice.

Youll also find plenty of omega fatty acids inside, thanks to foods like fish oil, soybean oil, and pork fat. That will help your dogs immune system and brain health, as well as their oral hygiene.

It still has plenty of questionable ingredients, though more than the prescription stuff, in fact. Youll find wheat, corn, gluten, and more in here, so it may not be ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs. It also has more salt than wed like to see.

If youre on a budget and want the best dog dental care from your food, then Hills Science Diet Adult Oral Care is an excellent choice. Its not quite up to the same level as our top choice, but its a great value nonetheless.

Good value for the price
Uses fiber-matrix technology to clean teeth
Loaded with omega-fatty acids
Chicken is first ingredient

Filled with questionable ingredients
High in salt

3. Merrick Lil Plates Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Merrick Lil Plates is the best overall food on this list, but its not quite as good at rescuing dreadful oral situations as some of the other foods on this list, which is why it only earns the bronze.

Its a grain-free recipe, making it an excellent choice for dogs with food allergies. Its absolutely stacked with protein at 38%, although some of that does come from plants, which are harder for your dog to synthesize than animal proteins.

Theres still plenty of meat in here, though, thanks to ingredients like chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal. Theyve also added high-quality fruits and veggies like blueberries, apples, and sweet potatoes.

The kibble itself is small and crunchy, so any dog should be able to wrap their jaws around it. As soon as they do, it will scrub their gums and teeth clean.

Its expensive, though, and theres not much fiber inside (a mere 3.5%).

If you can afford it, Merrick Lil Plates is an excellent food for any dog, but the kibbles shape and texture make it an especially good choice for animals that need a little help with oral hygiene.

Grain-free recipe is good for dogs with food allergies
High in protein
Uses high-quality fruits and veggies
Small and crunchy kibble

On the pricey side
Doesnt clean teeth as well as our top choices

4. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental Dry Dog Food Premium Choice

Like our top pick, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental requires a vets prescription. However, it doesnt have the special structure that Hills Prescription Diet does, and its ingredients list cant match Merrick Lil Plates.

Still, it does create a gentle abrasive effect on teeth while chewing, which can help dislodge plaque, tartar, and other buildup. It also includes ingredients like tea and marigold extract to fight bacteria.

The food is packed with omega fatty acids as well, as it includes fish oil, chicken fat, and vegetable oil. We also like how its packed with fiber at 6.5%.

Our main issues with this food include that its packed with salt and cheap fillers like wheat, corn, and animal by-products.

The protein levels are on the lower end of average at 23%, but thats not surprising, given that the ingredients list is heavier on grains than meat.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental is a good-but-not-great option for dogs with dental issues, but we cant recommend it for any other pups.

Has tea and marigold extract to fight bacteria
Has omega fatty acids
Loaded with fiber

Full of sodium
Uses cheap fillers
Protein levels on low end of average

5. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dental Health Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dental Health is yet another prescription-only food, but this one is cheaper than the other two on this list.

The ingredients list starts well with chicken and chicken meal, but after that, it takes a bit of a plunge. Most of the following ingredients are some form of corn, wheat, or gluten, all of which will add empty calories to your dogs diet.

Its endorsed by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, which means that its been shown to reduce tartar. However, it may not be as effective at stopping plaque, as its round shape isnt likely to dig into crevices around the gums.

The kibble pieces are extremely big as well, so theyre not ideal for smaller breeds. Dogs with missing or broken teeth may have difficulty breaking it down as well.

Overall, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dental Health is one of the best foods you can buy for dogs with dental issues. However, when stacked up next to the cream of the crop, its shortcomings come into stark relief.

Proven to control tartar
chicken meal are first ingredients

Filled with empty calories
May not be ideal for stopping plaque
Not good for small breeds
Large pieces may be hard for dogs with broken or missing teeth to crunch

Buyers Guide Choosing the Best Dog Food for Healthy Dog Teeth

The thought of having to buy special food for your dogs dental health may not be something that ever crossed your mind, so you might have more questions than answers when its time to go shopping.

This guide will fill you in on everything you need to know about canine dental health, so you can be certain to buy a food that will keep your pups teeth in fine working condition.

How Will I Know If My Dog Needs a Special Food for Their Teeth?

In most cases, your vet will tell you. However, if youre concerned about your dogs teeth, these signs can indicate that something is amiss:

Broken, loose, or missing teeth
Bad breath
Bleeding gums
Stained teeth
Pain or swelling around the mouth
Refusal to eat
Excessive drooling
Dropping food or difficulty chewing
Pawing at the mouth
Growths inside the mouth

Of course, if you notice any of these things, you should talk to your vet before you do anything. They could be the signs of something serious and those are issues that dog food cant help.

What Things Should I Consider When Buying a Food for My Dogs Dental Health?

The first thing you should know is that when it comes to cleaning teeth, kibble reigns supreme.

You can still feed your dog wet food if you like, but the abrasiveness of kibble helps scrape away plaque, tartar, and other gunk from your dogs teeth while they chew. Of course, you may need to feed them wet food if theyve already lost all their teeth.

A good kibble doesnt just limit itself to what happens in your pups mouth, though. Many are also filled with nutrients that boost your dogs immune system, helping to fight off the bacteria that cause gum disease.

Quality kibbles are also short on ingredients that can exacerbate dental problems. These include simple carbs and sugars, both of which tend to leave a film on your dogs teeth, ultimately increasing plaque and tartar buildup.

Pay attention to the size and shape of the pieces as well. The kibble wont do any good if its too big for your dog to crunch, but you dont want pieces that are so small that they pose a choking hazard. Look for a happy medium between the two.

Is That All I Should Look For?

No, you still need to buy a good overall food. Dont neglect your dogs nutrition in the quest to cure their dental woes. Youll still need to read labels and compare ingredients.

Typically, we recommend kibbles that are high in protein, fat, and fiber. We also like to avoid questionable ingredients like corn, wheat, soy, or animal by-products, as these can all have unwanted side effects.

As a general rule, if you wouldnt eat the foods on the label, you shouldnt feed them to your dog either. There are exceptions, of course, but its always a good sign to see ingredients like real chicken, blueberries, spinach, kale, or broccoli.

If I Buy the Right Dog Food, Will I Still Need to Brush My Dogs Teeth?

Yes. A good kibble is just a tool in your bag, but its not enough to get the job done on its own.

The fact is, even the best kibble will only remove the topmost layer of plaque from your dogs teeth. Thats good for preventing future problems, but it does little to attack the tartar and bacteria around the gumline and thats where the real trouble lies.

Youll still need to brush your dogs teeth regularly every day, if possible. Also, schedule regular cleanings with your vet to ensure that everything stays in fine working order.

A good kibble is essential but its not a miracle worker.

Is There Anything Else That Can Help Clean My Dogs Teeth?

Yes. Bones and chews are both effective at scraping off the gunk that forms on your dogs teeth. The longer it takes your dog to gnaw on them, the more good theyll do.

Look for raw, meaty bones. These are traditionally made from beef bones, and they come in an assortment of shapes and sizes. Its important that theyre raw too, as cooked bones are more likely to splinter, and that can cause serious damage to your dogs digestive tract if theyre swallowed.

Youll need to monitor your dog while they have the bones, and make sure theyre gnawing on them instead of trying to crunch them with their back teeth, as that can cause the molars to crack or break.

Image Credit: Lucia Romero, Shutterstock

Some of the Best Foods Are Prescription-Only. Why Is That?

The short answer is money. Many food manufacturers spend a great deal of money on research and development, as they have to make sure their recipes are suitable for animals with whatever disease theyre intended to help.

The manufacturers want to recoup their sizable investment, so they partner with vets to encourage owners to buy their special foods. Requiring a prescription is a great way to force owners to commit to the kibble, and it also gives their food more cachet than a regular kibble.

The fact is, there arent any special ingredients in prescription foods that you cant find in regular kibbles. Youll find the same meats, grains, and veggies in the prescription bags that youll find in the over-the-counter stuff.

However, in order to claim that their food treats a certain disease, the FDA requires the company to provide proof. So, you can rest assured that there is at least some evidence that prescription foods do what they say that theyll do.

Its certainly easier to just buy the prescription food, but if youd rather go a different route, you can investigate what it is about that food that makes it effective. It could be the shape of the kibble, the ingredients, or something else entirely. Once you find out, its simply a matter of finding a regular kibble that can replicate its effects.

Conclusion

Hills Prescription Diet Dental Care uses special fiber-matrix technology to scrub teeth, allowing it to clear away more gunk and grime than just about any other food on the market. Its the clear pick for the best dog food for teeth and dental health.

If you want something less pricey, though, go with Hills Science Diet Adult Oral Care. Its the non-prescription version of our winner, and it offers most of the same benefits at a fraction of the price.

Finding a good kibble is essential for maintaining your dogs mental health, and the decision becomes even more vital if your dog has suffered from oral issues. Hopefully, our reviews will make it easier for you to find the perfect food to keep your dogs chompers in mint condition saving you both undue pain and suffering.