What do you do to feed a very old cat who is losing her teeth?

Question

My 20 year old cat has lost most of her teeth on the top left hand side of her mouth. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this subject. She's losing weight because it hurts her to eat but she seems to be in no pain otherwise. I am feeding her soft food and soft cat treats but I was thinking about seeing if she'll drink Ensure. Any ideas? Thanks!

Answer 1

You're doing the right thing, soft foods. At 20 years old, you must have done a great job at keeping her healthy.

I don't think I would try Ensure, there is a "kitten glop" I found for orphaned kittens and older cats can eat it to.

INGREDIENTS:
1 lg. can evaporated milk (not Milnot)
2 tbsp. plain yogurt (not diet)
2 tbsp. mayonnaise (real)
1 tbs. Karo Syrup (light)
1 pkg. Knox gelatin
1 egg yolk (beaten)
1 cup of liquid unflavored Pedialyte

INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix milk, yogurt, mayonnaise and syrup together well.
Bring 1 cup water to boil and mix in Knox gelatin; set aside.
Mix egg yolk with small amount of milk mixture and beat well.
Add gelatin and water to milk mixture and beat well. Add in egg yolk mixture and beat well.
Pour into a freezer safe bowl or similar type of bowl with a cover and set in refrigerator.
We usually use Ice Cube Trays for our glop pudding. Pudding will last for two weeks covered in refrigerator.
Always warm pudding to room temperature (milk form) before feeding.
It is very rich in calcium, this pudding can be used as a supplement for kittens, sick cats and show cats to put on weight. Several Veterinarians have approved this recipe as being balanced and nutritious.

Answer 2

She probably has hyperthyroidism and borderline kidney function also. Almost all cats that age do. Feeding a high quality canned cat food is a good idea. Ask the vet or order online either Felovite, or Nutracal. It is a flavored "gel" type stuff in a tube that can provide extra calories and vitamins.
Ensure not a great idea. She probably will not drink it and diarrhea can result, which could kill her.

Answer 3

Ya, I'm dealing with a 14 year old cat with the same problem. I've softened up canned food with the water from tinned tuna which she seems to like, and although I never gave it to her during her life, I'm now giving her cream because of the fat content and she needs the calories. I haven't tried ensure, but that ought to help, maybe I'll try that too. Anything to keep her happy.

Answer 4

My cat has cancer, no teeth. Fancy Feast grilled tuna in gravy stuck in a blender with some prescription a/d. Start at shred and add a little water, blend at liquify for about 6 minutes. Licks it right up!

If you blend a 3 can batch a little thick and store it in a glass jar in the fridge, you can microwave a little water and add it to a few tablespoons and use the hot water to thin it and heat it at the same time. Looks like a chocolate milkshake, smells like tuna.

Answer 5

Soft cat food

Answer 6

Soft food is the best you can do. Ensure has too much sugar, even the lactose free one will upset her stomach. You can always take baby beef and wateat down and wisk it to make a meaty shake for her. This happens commonly and you are doing what you can for her. Good luck.

Answer 7

Soft canned food, no people food not approved by a vet. Love this kitty. I had one that lived to be 21.

Answer 8

We had a cat who lived to be 22, but had no teeth. The vet said to feed her meat baby food, which she loved. Just make sure it has no garlic or onions.

Answer 9

Same thing you feed any cat if you understand feline nutrition - a good quality wet cat food.

Read this and you'll know more about feeding a cat than most vets:

http://www.catinfo.org

Answer 10

soft cat food. you don't want to give a cat ensure.