Feeding old stray

My Mother lived in a rural area. About 8-9 years ago, a stray cat showed up. It wasn't "tame", but was not totally afraid of humans either. Mother, being soft-hearted. put out a daily bowl of generic dry cat food. Mother moved to a nursing home four years ago, and died one year ago. I stop at her old rural home about once a week to mow and caretake the property. The old cat is still there and I put out a bowl of dry cat food when I visit. I noticed it had trouble chewing. I supplemented the dry food with a small can of wet food, but I want to know if there is a "dry" cat food that is softer and not so crunchy. I imagine the cat exists on hunting but it comes when I call it to give it a bowl. Any suggestions for a softer dry food would be appreciated. Thanks.

RogerB said:

 
My Mother lived in a rural area. About 8-9 years ago, a stray cat showed up. It wasn't "tame", but was not totally afraid of humans either. Mother, being soft-hearted. put out a daily bowl of generic dry cat food. Mother moved to a nursing home four years ago, and died one year ago. I stop at her old rural home about once a week to mow and caretake the property. The old cat is still there and I put out a bowl of dry cat food when I visit. I noticed it had trouble chewing. I supplemented the dry food with a small can of wet food, but I want to know if there is a "dry" cat food that is softer and not so crunchy. I imagine the cat exists on hunting but it comes when I call it to give it a bowl. Any suggestions for a softer dry food would be appreciated. Thanks.

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I feel badly for this cat, he must have some sort of dental issue as cats normally do not even chew the kibbles in their food. Would you be willing to try to trap this old boy and get him to a Vet to have his mouth looked over and given he is an outdoor, slightly feral kitty, neutered? If you contact a local Humane Society or maybe even try calling the clinics directly, they might help you with him and the cost. It is a lot to ask but I can tell you care already as you posted here. He must be in a bit of pain as cats normally do not try to show pain. If his teeth hurt so badly to chew, I wouldn't think he's had much luck with hunting since there are bones in the prey. If not, the best thing I can advise is to leave canned food. Nearly all dry food is dry, only one that I can think of that has semi-soft and crunchy is Meow Mix Tender Centers.

At a small local pet store there is a brand called Tender Moist. Reminds me of the Tender Vittles my parents bought our barn cat when I was a child. It is quite pricey, about 26 dollars for a 3.5 lb bag. I did not look at the ingredients. I also feed a very old male Tom cat. He was in neihborhood when we bought our house. He is a true feral and after feeding him for 12 years I have just got him to make eye contact with me in the last 6 months. I feed him canned food, but it is at my home. I also caretake my parents property after my mom passed. It is hard when you do not live there. I do not know if Tender Vittles still exist, but it had to be reasonable or my dad would not have bought it for my barn cat. I wish you luck with helping the old kitty.