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Homemade Food for Toothless Dogs

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Growing old is inevitable, even for our pets. The skin becomes loose, the bones weaken, joints stiffen, and the energy and vitality once known begins to fade. It’s a sad thing watching a dog that’s been such a close companion grow old. But even though we can’t prevent our dogs from aging, we can do things to keep them comfortable.

white and fawn chihuahua eating from yellow dog bowl

When dogs get older, especially tiny dogs, their teeth begin to fall out. So they cannot manage the food they used to eat, and you must find an alternative.

If you have an old or toothless dog, there are several ways of making mealtimes enjoyable and keeping your canine companion fit and healthy.

What Dogs Can Eat

  • Scrambled eggs – a good source of nutrition
  • Mashed potatoes ( a lot of carbs so feed in very small amounts)
  • Barley
  • Rice, brown rice
  • Sweet potato (small amount)
  • Peas, carrots, green beans
  • Cottage cheese, grated cheese
  • Chopped tuna, salmon, or mackerel (canned or fresh)
  • Most fish
  • Cooked oats

What Dogs Should Never Have

  • Onions – gives dogs a type of toxemia that can kill
  • Corn cobs – The stomach acid won’t break them up
  • Raisins or grapes – they have toxins in them
  • Rice Pudding or any milk or dairy products – Difficult to digest, and many dogs are lactose intolerant
  • Chocolate – contains caffeine, which is dangerous to dogs
  • Coffee or tea – Same reason as chocolate.

Recipes for Toothless Dogs

Chicken and Rice with Grated Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1 c. Rolled Oats cooked according to directions
  • 1/2 c. cooked Ground Turkey
  • 1 T. Olive Oil
  • 2 T. chopped cooked carrots
  • 2 T. chopped cooked zucchini
  • 1 t. Calcium Powder or finely ground Egg Shell
  • Sprinkle of Parsley and Rosemary (dried or finely chopped fresh)

Instructions

  1. Stir everything together and store for up to 3 days. 1 serving is about 1/2 cup.

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup of Chicken (can increase this if required depending on the size of dog)
  • 1/2 cup Rice
  • 1/2 cup Mashed Potato
  • 1 T. Grated Cheese
  • 1 cup of Water

Instructions

  1.  Combine mince with water in a pot, bring to a boil, then simmer.
  2.  Cook the rice and stir into the pot with the grated cheese and mashed potato and simmer for a few minutes
  3. Remove from heat and strain off most of the sauce
  4.  Leave to cool and add the juice back.

Chicken Broth and Cottage Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
  • 1 cup low fat Cottage Cheese
  • 1 cup Cooked Rice

Instructions

  1. .Heat up the broth, mix with rice and cottage cheese.
  2. Cool completely before serving

elderly senior chihuahua

If you do not have time to make the recipes, you can get a can or bag of  quality senior dog food and soak it in warm water or warm broth until it is soft and serve it. Putting it in to soak a few hours ahead of time will give your dog a nice soft meal to eat in the evening.

Chopped turkey, beef or chicken and rice boiled with greens and lentils also make a nice meal.

You can also order food from the fresh food delivery services. We use them and LOVE them. The food is a perfect consistency for toothless dogs.

I have written posts on the ones we have tried and you can read about our experiences below:

A Pup Above (our favorite)

Ollie Dog Food

The Farmers Dog Food

If you have a senior dog, you may wish to add a supplement to your home-made recipes as, just like humans, they need certain vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy. Your local pet store will have a variety to choose from, and the powdered versions are best for toothless dogs. You can also find them on Amazon here.

Cathy

Jane

Friday 27th of September 2024

Hello there, so recently one of my family members found a old dog in the middle of the highway and took him in for a pet, they fed him and named him king Julian and I bathe him and groom him often because from time to time his hair outgrows his others. they found him at 10-13 years old and fed him normal kibble and even tried dried kibble for older dogs. he didn't want to eat it so now he just eats chicken and such as human food. like cheese and I wondered things such as if its the reason of bad breath. for the most he didn't have a problem with coconut oil brushing but maybe more of a healthier approach? something that he'll maybe like/eat? thank you.

Cathy Bendzunas

Friday 27th of September 2024

He probably has dental problems causing his bad breath. That's the issue most of the time.

Peggy Griffith

Saturday 30th of March 2024

Thanks for the information. I have a 13yo 4lb. dog who had a full extraction last week. I’m preparing meals at home and am curious about what consistency should the food be. I initially put everything in the blender and it became like mush. It was a total fail. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you. PG

Cathy Bendzunas

Saturday 30th of March 2024

Mush is what you want. Why do you think it was a fail?

Sue

Friday 7th of January 2022

My dog likes scrambled eggs! Thank you!

Cathy

Friday 7th of January 2022

You're welcome! Mine love scrambled eggs too.

Glenda

Friday 2nd of July 2021

Nice to have other information on grinders

Cathy

Saturday 3rd of July 2021

Thanks Glenda!