BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Cats Canned vs. dry food for senior cat w/teeth problems

Hello, do regulars still come in here? If so, I have a question about my 14yo fat black cat, Frank. I got him 2 years ago (already senior), and though I'm very much into other pets, he is my first cat.

The problem is he is having jaw/tooth problems. He lets you scratch him near the mouth, but if you press down a certain way, you can tell he feels some pain. He was like this when I got him so it's nothing new. I got him to the vet to get his teeth cleaned just 2 weeks ago, and no big changes. The thing is, if I feed him dry food, even the sensitive stomach Science Diet dry, he tends to vomit (about once a week). I know this is somewhat normal for a cat, and my vet said it was fine and just furballs (he otherwise checked up healthy), and I've been giving him mineral oil to help with blockage. But he still does vomit if I feed him dry food, I think due to a combination of hairball and tooth problems (he doesn't really chew his food, just swallows a lot of it whole).

He does better on wet foods. Is it ok to feed canned food all the time? I have heard this is not a good idea due to the fact that it will just make their teeth worse. But with him, maybe it's necessary now? I have a carpeted floor and I don't want to deal with it, plus I feel bad for the poor thing.

Thanks in advance.

Did the vet not recommend a food for him? My Mom went through a similar problem last year with her old fat cat too, aged 18 years. She was buying canned cat food from the vet's office and it seemed to go down and stay down easier. She figured the old gal had earned soft food! If your cat will tolerate having his teeth cleaned, at his age and with that tender tummy (and your carpets!) I wouldn't worry too much about the teeth, but check with the vet again anyway maybe.

Thanks for your advice, Lizzy! That was something along the lines of what I was thinking of also.... the vet said "if he can eat it, fine" but mostly just seemed to say mineral oil and special "sensitive stomach" diets were fine, just wanted to get a 2nd opinion. I think that at his age, he has earned the right to eat pretty much what he wants, the poor fat guy hehe <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I am also answering your fish question.. so check there!

My roommate's cat is 15 and she feeds her nothing but canned food. She figures at her age, she deserves to be treated. Also, the cat is greatly aided by the addition of fish oil over her food for digestion.

The cat is happy, healthy but old and has the most fantastic glossy coat (go, cod liver!)

- Rae

I realize this has been pretty dead for a while, but I wanted to respond.

It is a myth that wet food is bad for teeth. Any food, wet or dry, that does not have the proper acid/alkaline balance is bad for teeth, and this is not related to wet/dry. Low quality food, wet or dry, is unhealthy for your cat. High quality food, wet or dry, is healthy for your cat. Wet food is preferred by many (myself included) because it is more natural. What cat in the wild eats kibble? Most cats do not drink enough water, and wet food provides them with additional moisture. Cats comes from the desert, and their food is historically where they get their water.

See these links for more info:
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