Boo-Boo’s Story

by Certified Cat Behaviorist Rita Reimers

Does your cat have mouth pain? When one of my beloved cats, Boo-Boo, developed a swollen mouth, I knew it would take time, antibiotics, and a lot of love to get him comfortable again.

Mouth pain can make eating a real challenge for our feline friends, but the right food choices can make all the difference.

Why Was Boo-Boo’s Mouth Sore?

One day, I noticed that Boo-Boo’s left cheek was puffed up. He was already on an antibiotic for an infection, but this was new. SO back to Dr Faulkner (Dr G wasn’t in) who had give Boo the medication for elevated white cell count. This time, we found that one of Boo’s fangs on his right was abscessed.

Under normal circumstances, we would have pulled it. But given Boo-Boo’s age and elevated kidney values, we had to treat it with antibiotics.

The swelling was going down, then on morning I sat down at the computer to find that the tooth had fallen out; both good and bad. His mouth had re-swollen and this time I was able to have Dr Glenn take a look. He gave him a strong antibiotic shot, and here we are.

Boo-Boo had also dropped quite a bit of weight, he was down to a little over 6 pounds. This was especially alarming since he is 16-years-old. I needed to make sure he ate – and ate well – so he could re-gain some weight.

The Challenge of Eating with a Sore Mouth

Cats often hide discomfort, so when you notice drooling, pawing at the mouth, or food refusal, it’s usually pretty serious.

Even with his mouth pain, Boo-Boo was still eating a little (a huge relief!), but I could see chewing was hard for him. I wanted to make sure every bite was easy on him while the swelling went down.

His swelling got much better after the antibiotic shot , and Boo can chew dry food and treats again.

Boo-Boo’s Favorite Comfort Foods

I quickly learned that texture mattered most when it comes to a sore mouth. Food that required chewing was off limits for awhile.

Here’s what worked best for Boo-Boo:

• Pâté with warm water: Turning his meal into a soft, soupy consistency made it irresistible.

• Baby-food style pouch meals: Smooth and easy to lap up. His favorite is Delectables Bisque.

• A little dry kibble when he felt up to it: I left some out, and he nibbled when he wanted to — letting him self-regulate.

Other Soft Food Options for Cats with Mouth Pain

If your cat is dealing with dental issues, swelling, or recovering from a vet visit, here are some other foods to try:

• Mousse-style foods – airy and fluffy, requiring almost no chewing.

• Lickable treats – like Churu or a gravy meal topper.

• Bone Broth – added to pate cat food to make a slurry.

• Vet recovery diets – such as Hill’s a/d or Royal Canin Recovery.

• Plain meat baby food – chicken, turkey, or beef with no onions/garlic.

• Shredded poached chicken/turkey – moistened with water, gravy, or bone broth.

The Takeaway

With the right food adjustments, even a sore mouth doesn’t have to mean skipped meals. Boo-Boo is proof that a little creativity — and some extra TLC — can keep your cat nourished and happy while they heal.

Side Note: Boo-Boo has re-gained 2 pounds! YAHOO!!!!

Cat Mouth Care Cheat Sheet

Daily Comfort & Care for Cats with Mouth Pain

• ✅ Offer soft, moist foods (pâté, baby-food–like textures).

• ✅ Add a splash of warm water or low-sodium broth to meals for hydration.

• ✅ Warm food slightly to boost aroma and appetite.

• ✅ Provide a quiet, cozy resting spot.

Gentle Monitoring

• 👀 Peek inside the mouth once a day if kitty allows.

• ❌ Avoid poking or pressing on swollen areas.

• 📝 Note changes: swelling, drooling, bleeding, odor.

What to Avoid for Cats with Mouth Pain

• 🚫 Crunchy kibble or dental treats until fully healed.

• 🚫 Brushing teeth if swelling/infection is present.

• 🚫 Rough play around the face/jaw.

Vet-Visit Red Flags – when mouth pain needs a vet🚨

Call your vet if you notice any of these. Boo-Boo had almost all of them:

• Swelling getting worse after 2–3 days on meds.

• Refusal to eat or drink.

• Excessive drooling with blood or pus.

• Strong foul odor from the mouth.

• Lethargy or hiding behavior.

Kitty Sore Mouth Prevention Tips (for long-term care)

• 🪥 Once healed, consider gentle tooth brushing with pet-safe toothpaste.

• 💧 Add a water additive (vet-approved) for dental health.

• 🍗 Rotate in softer foods regularly to give teeth/jaw a break.

• 👩‍⚕️ Schedule dental checkups during routine vet visits

Final Takeaway: For cats with mouth pain, give kitty softer food, and have your veterinarian have a look at your cat’s mouth, too.

Rita is always here to help! Book a Cat Behavior Session, and she’ll guide you through the process so you can go from cat chaos to PURRfect peace.