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Missing teeth

Tips for Poodles That Are Missing Teeth

Overview

Missing teeth is a common issue seen with rescue dogs. It’s also common with seniors, particularly those that have had a lack of dental care throughout the years. However, both toy Poodles and miniature Poodles are prone to dental issues (though it can certainly be evident with standards as well) which can lead to issues regardless. 

Decayed teeth may eventually fall out or need to be extracted, which can leave a Poodle with very few or no teeth at all. This can severely interfere with eating, the ability to grasp objects (such as toys), and more.

This article covers answers to common questions, helpful tips for foods to feed Poodles with missing teeth (both meals and snacks), toys that are designed for dogs with few teeth, and tips for oral hygiene care going forward. 

At What Point Missing Teeth Affect a Poodle’s Eating and Mouthing Abilities 

In terms of being able to slice food into smaller pieces and grind food down to safely swallow it, or pick up toys and other items, dogs can usually do a sufficient job with a few missing teeth. The point at which it can become a problem depends on which of the 42 adult teeth, and how many of them, have fallen out or have been extracted.
 
The incisors are the small teeth in the front of a dog’s mouth. With adult Poodles, there are 6 on the top and 6 on the bottom. These are used to grasp objects and to shear food into smaller, chewable pieces. Even if a Poodle is missing all of their incisors, but has retained their other teeth, they can usually do very well eating as long as the individual food pieces are small enough. They may, however, have trouble picking up objects or using their teeth to scratch an itch. 

The canines are the next teeth in line (also known as the fangs). With adult Poodles, there are 2 on the top (1 on each side of the top incisors) and 2 on the bottom (1 on each side of the bottom incisors). These are used to bite down strong into things and keep a firm hold. 

If a Poodle is missing most or all of their canines, with or without the incisors, but retains most of their back teeth, they can usually eat just fine as long as the individual pieces are small enough. However, if both fangs and incisors are missing, a Poodle will have trouble firmly grasping onto objects. 
The premolars are next. With adult Poodles, there are 16 in all. There are 4 each on the top right, top left, bottom right, and bottom left. These are the teeth that dogs primarily use to chew their food.  If a Poodle is missing 3 to 4 premolars, there may be some trouble with chewing. If most or all of these teeth are gone, decreased chewing ability will be a top concern. In fact, eating regular food could present a choking hazard. 

If a Poodle has lost most of their premolars but retains their front incisors, they will usually still be able to firmly mouth objects.  

The molars are the teeth set in the very back of a dog’s mouth. With adult Poodles, there are 10 in all. There are 3 each on the bottom right and bottom left and 2 each on the top right and top left. These teeth are used mainly for grinding up very hard and/or large pieces of food. Missing one or two molars may not affect a Poodle’s ability to eat; however, missing three or more may cause an issue with overly hard or large-sized kibble. 

Signs a Poodle Has Trouble Eating

It's usually pretty clear when a Poodle has some missing teeth and this is affecting their ability to eat. Signs include: 

• Spitting or coughing out pieces of food
• Eating very slow
• Dropping pieces of food to the floor with attempts to mouth them
• Refusal to eat
• Whining or other signs of discomfort while eating

The Best Food and Feeding Methods for a Poodle with Few or No Teeth

If your Poodle is having trouble with hard kibble due to losing some or all of their teeth, there are a few choices in regard to food. 

#1 Make small-sized kibble softer and warmer. The first step is to choose a small-sized kibble, if applicable. Some top brands offer small breed formulas such as Wellness CORE Natural for Small Breeds which are sized accordingly as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach that other brands may offer. 

And one of the easiest methods to soften hard kibble is to allow it to soak in warm water. The amount of water you use and for how long you allow the pieces to soak it up will affect how soft the pieces become, so this can really be customized for each Poodle. 

As a starting guideline, use a 1:1 ratio (for example, 1/2 cup kibble and 1/2 cup water) and allow this to soak for 15 minutes. 
Note that as an alternative to water, low-sodium chicken or beef broth may be used. And, similar to recommendations for drinking water, unfiltered tap water should not be used to soften kibble. Public water supplies in the US (and some other countries) contains harmful contaminants including carcinogens. Options include a filtering device connected to a kitchen tap, bottled water, or a filtering device like the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher. 

Finally, some dogs respond a lot better to food when it’s warm. So, while it’s not a necessary step, after the kibble is softened, you may wish to warm it up (stove top or microwave) being sure to stir it well and test it (using your inner wrist) before serving it. 
# 2 Offer soft ‘wet’ food. In general, there are a couple of reasons why dry kibble may be recommended over a soft food; its crunchy texture is good for dental hygiene and it’s often best for producing firm stools. But if a Poodle has trouble eating due to having lost their teeth, offering manufactured soft/wet food is certainly a good option. 

One choice is Wellness Core Natural Mini Meals Wet Dog Food which is a high-quality wet food that's blended into a pate (a paste). As with all of the products in the Wellness line, there are no by-products, fillers, soy, artificial preservatives, flavoring, or coloring.
And another option that should not be overlooked, and that many dogs just love, is homemade food particularly those with gravies or sauces. 

Note that if you offer a soft food, you will want to take extra care to offer excellent at-home dental care for any remaining teeth. Details regarding this are ahead. 

To make the switch to a softer food it’s usually best to do a gradual transition to allow the digestive system time to get accustomed to the change. This can be done by mixing dry and wet dog food together, with increasing ratios of wet over the course of several weeks. In addition, you may wish to warm the food as described previously.
#3 Pureed food. Pureed food is often necessary for Poodles with most or all of their teeth gone. Pureed is the term for food that is ground or blended until it has a thick liquid consistency, similar to pudding or applesauce. 
Essentially, a dog will not need to chew at all, food will be lapped up and swallowed. This allows those with no teeth to meet their dietary intake requirements and it’s much safer as well. 

For this, a food processor like the Hamilton Beach ChefPrep Food Processor can work well. Note that while there can certainly be some crossover, typically a blender is good for liquids (like smoothies) and a food processor is made for solid foods. 

Whether you choose to puree kibble (mixed with water or low-sodium broth or gravy), canned food, or homemade food is entirely up to you. 
#4 Don’t forget about training treats. Offering praise and a small treat is the best method to let your Poodle know that they are doing a great job with house training rules, heeling, and more. It reinforces good behavior and can really boost a dog’s self-confidence. So, this is an important element, even for senior Poodles. 

Fresh fruits like berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) are ideal for this. Mashed banana also works well. And if you are looking for manufactured treats that are soft enough for dogs with fewer teeth, Full Moon Organic Training Treats For Dogs are very soft and are an excellent choice for Poodles that have some premolars left. 

The Best Toys for Poodles with Few or No Teeth

If you’re wonder if Poodles with lots of missing teeth still want or need toys, the answer is usually yes. A dog’s dental issues and number of remaining teeth have little to do with their need for certain toys. Dog toys can serve several purposes including offering comfort, keeping a dog busy, and as treat dispensers.  

Let’s look at some good choices. 

Treat dispensing. These types of toys can keep a dog distracted while certain tasks are being done (like brushing or nail trimming) and can be a good way to keep a dog busy for a little while.

While many treat dispensing toys are meant to hold hard kibble, there are other types options such as lick mats (or pads) which are flat mats with grooves that are meant to hold peanut butter (or other thick, sticky foods). For this, we like the Weliu Lick Pad for Dogs; unlike many other lick mats that are made of plastic, this is made of silicone and it has suction cups on the backside that allows you to stick it on the kitchen floor so it doesn’t slide, in the bathtub while grooming, on the side of the fridge, and more. 
Interactive toys. If your Poodle seems bored and you’re looking for ways to keep them occupied with toys, but assume that there’s limited options due to missing teeth, you’ll be happy to know that there are some great choices.

For example, the Pet Qwerks Talking Babble Ball can be super-entertaining even if a Poodle is missing most of their teeth. It’s a small round toy that makes lots of silly noises each time it’s nosed or pawed. 
And if you think that your Poodle may like a challenge (and you can be there to set it up and help show them what to do), a puzzle toy can be a very fun type of toy. One like the Outward Hound Dog Brick Interactive Puzzle Game is designed to hide treats (soft treats like blueberries can be used) and a dog must paw or nose sliders and flip-doors to find them.
Soft floppy toys. Soft toys with long floppy parts are often appreciated by dogs without teeth since these are easy to mouth and carry. Some dogs may ‘gum’ these out of habit and with this sort of plush toy, there is no discomfort in doing so. Something like the Squeaky Plush Octopus by EXPAWLORER is a particularly good choice as the legs have no stuffing.    
Comfort toys. Comfort toys can be a great help, especially with Poodles that may be home alone and suffer from separation anxiety or those that have trouble settling down at night. Since these are meant to be snuggled with, not chewed, they are appropriate for all Poodles, including those that are missing teeth.  

The SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Toy is one of the best comfort toys for all ages; this is a good-sized quality stuffed animal dog that emits a soothing heartbeat and (optionally) body warmth that mimics a living creature in a remarkable way, offering companionship at key times. 

Dental Care for Poodles with Missing Teeth

Above all else, it’s vital to know that dental decay and rotting teeth can be excruciatingly painful for dogs. Allowing a Poodle’s teeth to fall out, one by one, without veterinary intervention is a very cruel type of neglect. Please bring your Poodle to the vet on a regular basis and wherever there is a suspected or known dental issue. 

And if any healthy teeth remain, at-home dental care should be provided to help ensure that they stay that way. Though dental chews may need to be avoided since they are very hard and it would be too difficult to safely chew without a full set of teeth, there are other options. 

Brushing the remaining teeth is one of the most effective ways to keep away plaque and tartar. Avoid human toothpaste; fluoride is toxic and its foaming agents are a choking hazard. Kits like the Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dog Dental Kit offer both a safe paste and an appropriate toothbrush. 
If your Poodle doesn’t tolerate having their remaining teeth brushed, another option is to use a dental spray. This is less effective than brushing, but it can help when used regularly. One like Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dog Dental Spray is sprayed onto teeth and gums twice per day. 
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