After dental surgery, your dog’s mouth will be tender and sensitive, making their usual kibble or hard treats difficult and painful to chew. Providing the right soft food is key to their recovery, ensuring they get the nutrition they need while avoiding irritation or injury to their healing gums and teeth.
But what is the best soft food for dogs after dental surgery? And how long do you need to stick with a soft food diet for dogs after dental surgery? Keep reading - we’ll explain everything you need to know about being the best possible pet parent after your dog’s dental surgery.
The Importance of Post-Operative Dental Care for Your Pet
After dental surgery, your dog needs love and support more than ever! The right care helps prevent complications like infections, delayed healing, or further damage to the surgical site. With the right diet, medications, and follow-up care, you can help your dog recover faster and more comfortably.
Should You Try a Soft Food Diet for Dogs After Dental Surgery?
Is a soft food diet for dogs after dental surgery a good idea? Yes - it’s usually highly recommended. Soft foods are easier for your dog to eat while their mouth is tender or sensitive, ensuring they still get the nutrients they need without being in pain as they eat.
Hard or crunchy foods can cause strain on healing gums and teeth, potentially leading to infections or delayed recovery. Soft foods are easier to eat and gentler on your dog’s mouth, making it more likely they will continue to eat and stay nourished during this crucial healing period.
Plus, a soft food diet can be more easily digested, which is helpful if your dog is feeling unwell or lethargic after surgery. By feeding soft, nutrient-rich meals, you’ll help support their recovery, reduce pain, and ensure their healing goes smoothly to get your pup back to their best as soon as possible.
What Can My Dog Eat After Dental Surgery? The Best Soft Food for Dogs After Dental Surgery
So, what’s the best soft food for dogs after dental surgery, and what’s the best way to keep dogs teeth clean after they’ve had dental work done? Should you make DIY dog dental chews? There are a few different options - let’s take a look.
Commercially Available Soft Foods
You don’t necessarily need to make the best soft food for dogs after dental surgery - there are some choices available at your local pet store. Canned wet dog food is a popular choice since it is designed to be gentle on a dog’s teeth while delivering essential nutrients.
These foods often come in pâté or stew textures, which are easier to chew and digest. Look for high-quality brands that offer balanced nutrition, ensuring your dog gets the right mix of protein, fats, and vitamins. Some companies even produce prescription soft foods designed for pets recovering from surgery.
Soaking Your Dog’s Existing Kibble Food
If your dog is used to kibble and you don’t want to change their diet too much, you can still use it after dental surgery by softening it with water or low-sodium broth. Soaking kibble makes it easier to chew, but it still has the same smell and taste your dog knows and loves - perfect for fussy eaters.
Creating Home-Cooked Meals for Your Dog
If you prefer a more natural approach or your dog has specific dietary needs, home-cooked meals can be a great choice after dental surgery. You can create soft, nutritious meals using things like boiled chicken, ground turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, or cooked veggies.
Make sure the food is well-cooked, mashed, or pureed to a consistency that’s easy for your dog to eat. Don’t add any spices, salt, or seasoning that could irritate their gums or upset their stomach.
Are bones good for dogs teeth after surgery? Usually, no. You can make a simple bone broth to add extra flavour and nutrients to their meal, but avoid bones or other hard ingredients that could cause injury.
Tips on Choosing the Best Soft Food for Dogs After Dental Surgery
When you’re choosing the best soft food for dogs after dental surgery, keep these factors in mind:
- Nutritional balance: Make sure the food provides a complete and balanced diet with the right levels of protein, fats, and essential nutrients to support healing.
- Texture and consistency: The food should be soft enough that your dog doesn’t have to chew hard, minimising strain on the gums and teeth.
- Taste and palatability: Post-surgery, your dog may have a reduced appetite due to discomfort, so choose foods that smell irresistible!
It’s always a good idea to ask your vet for recommendations based on your dog’s health and specific surgical procedure. They may recommend a specialised diet or certain ingredients to avoid during your pup’s recovery.
How Long to Soften Dog Food After Dental Surgery?
As well as finding the right soft food for your dog after dental surgery, it’s important to establish a timeline for how long to keep your pup off the solids. Let’s take a look.
Best Practices for Soaking Dry Kibble
Soaking your dog’s dry kibble to make it soft is one of the easiest ways to soften their food. The most common method is to soak the kibble in warm water or low-sodium broth for 10 to 15 minutes.
The key is to ensure that the kibble is fully softened to avoid any hard pieces that could irritate your dog’s mouth. Stir the mixture occasionally as it soaks to check the consistency - you want the kibble to have a mushy, oatmeal-like texture so your dog can swallow it easily without needing to chew too much.
It’s important to let the food cool down before serving to avoid burning your dog’s sensitive gums. Some dogs may prefer the food at room temperature or slightly warmed, which can also enhance the flavour and encourage them to eat more.
Transitioning From Soft to Regular Food
Once your dog’s mouth has started to heal, you can gradually reintroduce regular kibble. This transition should be done slowly to avoid causing discomfort or overwhelming their digestive system.
Start by mixing small amounts of softened kibble with unsoaked kibble, gradually increasing the amount of regular food over the course of several days to a week. Keep an eye on your dog during the transition - if they seem hesitant to eat or show signs of discomfort, go back to soft food.
Should You Keep Your Pet on a Soft Food Diet Permanently?
Whether or not to keep your pet on a permanent soft food diet depends on their long-term dental health and overall well-being. For most dogs, a soft food diet is only necessary during the recovery phase after surgery.
However, if your dog has ongoing dental issues, such as tooth decay, gum disease, or missing teeth, a permanent switch to soft food may be the right choice. Older dogs, in particular, may benefit from staying on a softer diet as their dental health declines with age.
Soft foods are easier to chew and digest, making mealtime less stressful for dogs with chronic dental problems. If your vet suggests that your dog should remain on a soft food diet, they will help you choose the right products or recommend how to prepare balanced, soft meals at home.
More Dog Dental Care Tips Post-Surgery
Are dental chews good for dogs teeth? What are some tips for dental disease prevention for dogs? And how often should you brush your dog’s teeth? Here are a few more things you should know about caring for your dog’s oral health after dental surgery.
Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth with toothpaste is an important element of oral care, but most dogs aren’t a fan of it. Brushing can help reduce plaque on dog’s teeth, preventing the more severe stages of dental disease in dogs from developing.
After surgery, it may take a while until your dog is comfortable having their teeth brushed, if at all. Start slowly, and only begin brushing once your vet confirms that it’s safe to do so. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and dog-specific toothpaste, as human toothpaste can be harmful to dogs.
Initially, you might want to focus on the parts of their mouth that were not affected by surgery and gradually increase the time spent brushing their teeth. Gently brush in small, circular motions to avoid irritating healing areas.
Wondering how often to get dogs teeth cleaned professionally? With regular brushings at home, you can reduce the cost of dog dental cleaning by scheduling less frequent appointments. Generally, with good at-home dental care, annual cleanings are enough.
Using Dental Chews
In terms of brushing dogs teeth vs dental chews, most dogs much prefer dental chews! But how do dog dental sticks work, and are dental sticks bad for dogs? They’re actually very beneficial. As the chews break down, they scrape plaque and tartar off your dog’s teeth, keeping them cleaner.
If your dog is still recovering from their dental work, you can learn how to soften dog dental chews to make sure they don’t cause any damage. Make sure you’re using the best dental chews for dogs, free from harmful additives or unnecessary fillers.
At Mighty Munch, we have premium dog dental chews, available in two different sizes to suit pups of all breeds and ages. Our dental chews are coated with a potent dog probiotic, which makes them even more effective at fighting the bad bacteria responsible for plaque on your dog’s teeth.
What are dog dental chews made of? Like all our Australian dog supplements, we use only premium, safe ingredients that benefit your dog’s health. Our chews are made here in Australia, and exceed the country’s pet safety standards. Plus, dogs love them!
Water Additives
Water additives are another way to support your dog’s dental health after surgery. These products are formulated to help reduce bacteria in the mouth, prevent plaque, and freshen your dog’s breath.
Do dental water additives for dogs work, though? Some of them do, but in terms of removing plaque and promoting good oral hygiene, they’re not as effective as dental chews vs floss. To use water additives, just add the recommended amount to your dog’s water bowl, and it works as they drink throughout the day.
Monitoring Recovery
Keeping a close eye on your dog’s recovery is essential to ensure their healing progresses smoothly. Watch for any signs of discomfort, swelling, bleeding, or infection around the surgical area. If your dog stops eating, becomes lethargic, or shows unusual behaviour, contact your vet right away.
In the weeks after surgery, follow up with your vet to assess your dog’s healing and address any concerns. Your vet may recommend additional dental care steps or provide a timeline for when you can resume regular oral hygiene routines, such as brushing and using chews.
Closing Thoughts on the Best Soft Food for Dogs After Dental Surgery
So, that wraps up our guide on the best soft food for dogs after dental surgery. Providing soft, nutritious food helps protect your dog’s healing gums while ensuring they receive the nutrients they need.
Whether you choose commercially available soft foods, soak their regular kibble until it’s easy to digest, or prepare tasty homemade meals for your lucky pup, there are plenty of options to suit your dog’s needs as they rest and recover from their dental work.
Don’t forget - Mighty Munch’s dental chews are a great way to make sure your dog is getting the best daily oral care. One chew a day can keep your dog’s breath fresh, prevent plaque and tartar build-up, and fight harmful oral bacteria.
Don’t put your dog (and your wallet) through more dental work - protect your pup’s teeth with Mighty Munch dental chews!
To learn more about our dental chews, explore these guides: When can you give puppies dental chews, how many dental chews can a dog have a day, and what do dental chews do for dogs.
