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My cat won't eat wet food after teeth removed. What can I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 11 lbs

My cat he won't eat wet cat food, which is fine for us until he have a teeth removed and he can't eat dry cat food. We try to withdrawal all the dry food and put wet food on his bowl. He won't eat any of them even he is very very hungry. We try to give him some dry food mix with water but I can see he having a hard time with it. After one day without eating anything, I am really worry, is there anyway I can make him eat the wet food? If he doesn't eat the next day, he might die.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on September 4th, 2017

Hello and thank you for posting your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry Summer is having some eating difficulties. If it was just a few teeth pulled and he still has teeth left, then he may be able to eat the dry food if it has been a while after his dental procedure. He may not want to eat the dry food out of discomfort if the procedure was very recent. If this is the case you may want to try offering the dry food to him. If he has no teeth left or very very few left and wet food is the only option, you may entice him to eat by warming up the wet food and giving it in small manageable amounts so as not to overwhelm him. Feeding the food in a shallow dish or plate will help him eat a littler easier then if the food was in a bowel. I hope this has helped and I wish you and Summer the absolute best!

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2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hi. You can moisten the dry food, or try a different variety of wet foods. If he isn't eating or seeming painful, I would be contacting your veterinarian and also make sure he is on pain medications and antibiotics post dental extractions.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hi. You can moisten the dry food, or try a different variety of wet foods. If he isn't eating or seeming painful, I would be contacting your veterinarian and also make sure he is on pain medications and antibiotics post dental extractions.

    Vote icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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