What food & soft treats for an older, underweight dog with no teeth?

I would recommend a wet food like Purina Pro Plan, Nutro or Natural Balance. I would choose a senior formula (small dog if available). If his teeth fell out naturally you may want to have a dental done to ensure that there are no retained roots that could cause him pain or infection! I hope this helps and I am glad you are looking out for Charlie!

Hi and thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I would stick with a low fat prescription diet such as Hills I/D or Royal Canin Low fat gastrointestinal. Continue this diet until your one pet is over their pancreatitis episode. Then you can slowly transition them back to a senior diet which is typically lower in calories and higher in protein and carbs. My top brands are Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, Evo or Eukanuba. Best of luck with your fur babies and their new diets. Take care!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Eddie is having dental issues. If his dental disease is that significant, and his mouth bacteria is making that bad of a smell, I would recommend having his teeth evaluated by a veterinarian and possibly having a dental. Bacteria in the mouth are not only bad for a dog's teeth, but they also can lead to bacterial translocation to the heart and kidneys, which can lead to substantial health issues long-term. At his age, I would recommend a senior dog food; there are many good options, including Purina Bright Minds, Acana, and multiple others. A good quality senior food (grain free or not) would most likely be a good option, and then having his teeth issues addressed. Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear that Cocoa isn't feeling well! Dogs with chronic health issues like this often lose their appetite, and it can be hard to get them to eat. If she eats dry food, you can try soaking it in some low-sodium beef or chicken broth for a few minutes to soften it and add flavor. If she eats wet food, you can try warming it briefly in the microwave to make it more enticing, or try different types of canned food to see if you can find one that interests her. Plain boiled chicken and rice, or rice mixed with chicken or beef-flavored baby food can also be a good choice in the short-term for dogs who aren't as hungry as usual. Finally, if needed, you could ask your veterinarian about prescribing an appetite stimulant such as mirtazapine - this can be very effective for some pets with chronic health issues, to help improve their appetite.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would still try to feed the dry food to FIffy. She ate that food when she had 16 bad teeth in her mouth and she will still be able to eat that food after they are removed. You may have to water the food down a little bit to make it soft but really dogs can eat hard food without any teeth. Good luck and kisses to FIffy!

Provide food that is high in calories, like puppy food or a food that’s designed for active, athletic, or working dogs. Higher protein and fat pet foods are best. Underweight pets should be eating foods that are around 30% protein and 20% fat if they’re eating dry kibble; 7% protein and 5% fat (or higher) if you’re feeding a wet food. Intersperse your pet’s diet with small amounts of high-calorie supplemental canned food or canned products made of 100% meat sources. These will have a high protein and fat content, like 100% pheasant or bison, for example. They won’t say “complete and balanced” but rather “for intermittent or supplemental use” because they’re not meant to replace regular feeding. Some moist foods may be easier to digest, so your pet may retain more nutrients, and more importantly these products tend to be more palatable and tempting to a pet who isn’t eating enough. Any diet changes should be done gradually over a week's time as to not cause any GI upset. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Great question! Brands I recommend include Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Purina ProPlan, and Iams. They all are high quality foods that have a senior line of food. I would chose of those brands for Coco. I hope this helps!