Getting older dog to eat...

[momPaws]

as my dog gets older she gets fussy about eating -(is not sick- Vet checks ok). She just doesn't eat a lot. What would be wrong with giving her a puppy food (dry- mixed with reg. can)- that may be softer for her teetch AND has more concentrated nutrition - vitamins and antioxidants?

[Traci]

Mompaws, I know you've said often that Honey is actually quite active and like a pup at times, but you truly do not want to feed her puppy food. Mostly due to the fat and calorie contents, in her senior years, she needs less calories and fat, especially if she is much less active than that of her younger years.

Assuming her oral health is up to par, she has no diseased teeth or inflammed gums? Sometimes oral problems will prohibit normal appetite, due to pain and inflammation. Otherwise, I'd continue what you've been doing with her diet, or talk to your vet about a less active formula and base this on her health status and activity level, not simply because they are readily available.

[momPaws]

OK, Traci- I understand what you are saying...I didn't think about the increase in fat content in the puppy food. Now she gets Innova Sr and some canned food to stimulate her to eat it. (Maybe she has ME trained to give her what tasts better to her. ) She is a skinny minny, but I don't want her to gain weight since she has arthritis. She has always been about 33- 34 lbs. You are right- I better stick with what is working. Thanks.

[k9Karen]

I remember someone here posting recently that dogs lose their sense of smell as they age, and they are attracted to the food by the smell. Mickey is also eating less, but he is much less active, and is not losing weight. Tonight I gave him his dog food mixed with some Shepherd's pie and you'd think he hadn't eaten in a week. He not only gobbled his up, he went and edged Angel away from hers (and she readily gave it up - which I immediated replaced for her). I've found some days he eats well, and some days he doesn't. I'm thinking of starting to feed him 3 times a day instead of 2, so he gets less at each feeding. I also think I might need to start adding some canned food to his dry kibble to entice him to eat. He just started doing this, so I haven't quite figured out the right "formula" that will work for him. I wish I could just let him free-feed, but if I had a bowl of food out in this house, both Angel and Allie would be the size of the Goodyear blimp! You might try adding a tiny bit of garlic powder to Honey's food - dogs like garlic, and the smell may entice her to eat. Just a thought.

[momPaws]

May try a little garlic powder. Thanks, Karen. Sounds like Mickey and Honey are at similar stages. Funny- thinking about it when you mentioned the Sheperds Pie (which sounds good to me, too !) ..Honey never turns down something special like that or a dog biscuit.

[Doglady]

I remember someone here posting recently that dogs lose their sense of smell as they age, and they are attracted to the food by the smell.

That was me, who posted that. Actually, as they get up in years, their sense of smell and taste are not what they were when younger. It's a matter of finding something that does appeal, and is still appropriate to feed. If a dog likes veggies (mine do) pungent veggies like broccoli will work, and the addition of a crushed fresh garlic clove works too (is good for them also.) I cook up a "stew" to mix in with the dry food my 17-year old gets, that's recommended for dogs with DM. It's some chicken, along with green beans, broccoli, carrots, and spinach in a crock pot. I add molasses, oregano, garlic cloves, olive oil and water. Because she's a "turd," and will pick out what she wants, I mash it all up when cooked, with a potato masher. This has worked well for her, and her appetite has been very good. I also give her sardines ex-the water they are packed in. Some times I give them as a treat, or break up and mix in with her food. She gets two of the larger ones each day, and some times 3 (when she's haunting me LOL!)

[urge to herd]

I'll make my own, with the cheapest chicken I can find, (usually hearts/gizzards), cook a long time, (about 3 qts water to 1 lb chicken) chop or mash the chicken meat and make basically a gravy. All 3 dogs get a tbs or two with their kibble most days. They're all getting supplements or meds, some of which is crushed and mixed w/their food. The chicken broth hides the flavor, and does stimulate the appetite, too.

I also keep a couple cans of low sodium chicken broth for cooking with rice for tummy upsets of the messy kind. A couple meals of broth/rice usually sets things right.

Ruth

[k9Karen]

Funny- thinking about it when you mentioned the Sheperds Pie (which sounds good to me, too !) ..Honey never turns down something special like that or a dog biscuit.

At this stage in their life, I don't see any reason why they can't have a "special treat" every day of what little remains of their life. Mickey gobbled his food today, but tomorrow, he may not eat much. If he goes more than a couple of days without eating well, I'll make sure he gets something I know he likes.

[momPaws]

Yes, Karen, I agree with you - I don't worry too much about Honey's treats - she deserves them and Mickey, too!
And Ruth- may try that idea about making the special gravy - can almost guarantee she would eat her food with that on it! I did have to give her the rice and chicken once (think Davet suggested) - that does work well to get things back to normal.