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I went through something really similar with my senior cat after most of her molars were removed, so I totally understand how frustrating this stage can be. Even if they want to eat dry food, the mechanics just don’t work the same anymore.
A few things that helped us:
1. Look for “air-dried” or “semi-soft” kibble
These are much softer than traditional baked kibble. The two my cat tolerated best were:-
Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Chicken — breaks apart easily and smells appetizing, so it encourages eating.
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Smalls Freeze-Dried Raw (rehydrates softer than regular soaked kibble).
Both are nutrient-dense but far less abrasive.
2. Switch to “dental-friendly soft kibble”
A lot of brands advertise dental support, but only a few have a texture soft enough for post-op mouths. Hill’s Science Diet Oral Care is surprisingly gentler than regular kibble and crumbles when licked.3. Break the pieces before offering
If he loves the “chasing” part, try breaking the pieces in half or crushing them lightly. My cat ate way more once the pieces were small enough to push around with her tongue.4. Transition to a hybrid diet
Many cats post-dental end up on combos like:-
Soft kibble for texture enrichment
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A high-protein wet food for the calories
This keeps them mentally stimulated without forcing them to struggle with hard bites.
If he still can’t manage regular dry food even after trying the softer varieties, that’s normal — some cats with only canines/incisors end up permanently preferring soft diets. But offering softer, air-dried pieces usually bridges the gap.
Hope your little guy heals smoothly — the first few weeks after dental extractions are always trial and error.
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