A cat’s teeth are very important for them to chew food, groom, and fight off infection. Unfortunately, some cats have lost a few teeth, and some have no teeth at all.
So if you have a cat who lost its teeth, you may be wondering how to care for them.
Well, there are a few things you need to know!
This article will provide you with information on how to care for a cat with no teeth as well as tips and tricks on the best way to feed your cats.
Reasons Why Your Cat Lose Their Teeth
It is normal for a cat to lose teeth one or more during their lifespan due, but if all of its teeth are missing, it should be a concern.
Below, there are some reasons why your cat might lose their teeth. Read it to prevent your other cats from losing their teeth.
Cat’s Age
As cats age around 4 to 7 months, cats will start replacing their baby teeth. It is natural for them to lose some of their teeth.
Dental Disease
This is the most typical condition affecting cats’ health. Most 85% of cats older than 6 years may be born with dental disease, which can cause a buildup of the gum to swell and eventually results in teeth becoming loose and falling out.
Trauma
As we know, cats are prey. They like hunting or fighting with other animals. In this case, your cats may lose their teeth due to injuries during their fighting or a car accident.
Infection
Infection can cause the gums to swell and the bone around the tooth to shrink, which can lead to tooth loss.
Unhealthy Diet
Cat’s diet is important for them to make their teeth healthy. If your cat does not eat balanced on their food, it’s possible for a cat to make their teeth decay.
In addition, if your cats eat something too hard. It is also the reason they lose their teeth.
Can Cats Live With No Teeth?
Yes sure, cats can live with no teeth because they have especially hard palates.
Even if severe dental issues can necessitate tooth removal, your cat will eat and survive fairly well with their healthy gums.
There are many cats who already eat their food without chewing. They use their tongues to help to propel food to the back of the oral cavity.
As a result cats still happily eat their food without teeth.
Therefore, even if cats’ teeth are important for them to chew meat, it does not matter for them to live without teeth.
How to Care For Cats with No Teeth
The most typical medical condition affecting cats is tooth loss. It is difficult for them to chew food, groom themselves and fight off infections.
This can be due to aging, injury, or illness and it can be a difficult situation for a cat owner. In this case, you might ask how to care for them while they lose their teeth.
The first step you need to do is to find out the reason why your cat has to lose teeth in the first place.
- If your cat is due to old age or injury, there is not much that can be done about it. You just provide extra care for them and make sure that they get enough food to eat.
- If your cat is due to an illness like dental disease, there are some things you must do in order to help them recover from its ailment.
You should serve them soft food and brush their teeth with a damp cloth before feeding them to prevent them from ingesting any of the bacteria from their mouth.
There are also ways of getting around this problem by purchasing specially made food specifically designed.
What Can You Feed Cats with No Teeth?
When your cat loses its teeth, you might worry that the cat is having difficulty chewing food. So you will consider what you can feed them.
According to my experience, I have one cat who lost all her teeth. I fed her meat, bones, and raw food like other cats but the difference is, I cut them into small pieces to make her easy to chew and eat.
I also have provided her with wet food in order for her gums and teeth not to be dry. As a result, she can thrive on a diet and live as normal.
It really doesn’t matter what you feed a toothless cat, as long as the pieces are small enough and wet food that they could swallow them.
In fact, cats who lose their teeth do not have a problem for them to live but if you are able to help it is better for them.
Bottom Line:
Cats lose their teeth for many reasons such as cat age, illness, unhealthy diet, and injury.
So it is important for you as an owner to be clear about that reason to make sure you help them with the true point.
Caring for your cat’s tooth loss by giving them soft food and cutting them into small pieces.
Brushing their teeth before feeding them to prevent them from ingesting any of the bacteria from their mouth. Thanks for reading!