Dental Work/post-op Wet Food Only

[teestro]

Hi all!

My newly adopted cat, Carlton, needs to have some pretty heavy dental work done (cleaning and multiple extractions). I am worried because not only is he super playful and my vet said he won’t be able to play with toys for at least two weeks following the procedure, but also because she mentioned he must eat only wet food for two weeks, as well.

While he enjoys wet food (I feed him blue buffalo wet and dry), he is definitely more into dry food. I’ve given him every flavor of blue buffalo prior to wearing him off of fancy feast, and he seems to have his favorite which is the beef flavor, but nonetheless, dry food is certainly preferable. He is also not the type of cat to eat all of his food the second he gets it- he’ll eat little portions throughout the day/night.

Ultimately, I am concerned that being able to only eat wet food for at least two weeks will be hard on him, on top of the fact that he is going to be bored without his play time! Any experts have tips or even simply words of encouragement if you’ve been in similar situations with your feline friends? Appreciate the input

Here’s some pics for fun, and because I am so very in love with him he is truly the best.

 

[lalagimp]

I'm not sure why the vet said two weeks on playtime. I'm not your vet, but I would do three days to make sure the pain med injection and anesthesia have had time to leave your kitties system and then tread lightly.
Amalie had to have 5 teeth extracted her first dental, and I couldn't get her near wet food. She ate her dry food pretty normally. They don't really chew it much at all, so if it's smaller kibble, it's likely doable. I would rather have her eat than not eat, and she was still using the water fountain.
Just my thoughts. I don't know the severity of your kitties condition or his base line health.

 

[neely]

I have had two cats that needed major dental surgery and both returned to eating dry food shortly afterwards although dry is not their only diet. Are you taking your cat to a veterinary dental specialist? Information for Owners | AVDC - American Veterinary Dental College
I'm sure your guy will do fine and feel much better afterwards without the infected and/or painful teeth. BTW, I have a Carleton too, spelled with an "e".

 

[teestro]

I'm not sure why the vet said two weeks on playtime. I'm not your vet, but I would do three days to make sure the pain med injection and anesthesia have had time to leave your kitties system and then tread lightly.
Amalie had to have 5 teeth extracted her first dental, and I couldn't get her near wet food. She ate her dry food pretty normally. They don't really chew it much at all, so if it's smaller kibble, it's likely doable. I would rather have her eat than not eat, and she was still using the water fountain.
Just my thoughts. I don't know the severity of your kitties condition or his base line health.

I agree- maybe she was just being overly cautious? I’m a first time cat owner, so I honestly have no idea myself but glad I can ask people here so thank you for your feedback makes me happy to hear he may be okay with gentle play after a few days/maybe not the entire two weeks. His kibble is pretty tiny and I suppose I could also crush it up even more so and maybe put the kibble powder on wet food to see if that would make him more willing to eat more of the wet food. I’ll ask my vet about that when I take him for the procedure next month. He’s a very good drinker too, so I am happy about that Thanks so much!

 

[teestro]

I have had two cats that needed major dental surgery and both returned to eating dry food shortly afterwards although dry is not their only diet. Are you taking your cat to a veterinary dental specialist? Information for Owners | AVDC - American Veterinary Dental College
I'm sure your guy will do fine and feel much better afterwards without the infected and/or painful teeth. BTW, I have a Carleton too, spelled with an "e".

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond ! Not happy to hear your babies have had to go through that, but pleased to know they recovered quickly and were able to eat dry food soon. The closest dental specialist according to that website (thanks for sending this- I did not know this was a thing) is pretty far from me, but I do have good recommendations from trusted people with regards to the specific vet, and the clinic in general. I’ll keep you updated for sure once he gets his cleaning/extractions later in March. And yay- Carlton’s/Carleton’s are the best