OT: Geriatric Dog-Not Eating Well

[lvillotta1]

This is probably a little OT,but this is my favorite board so I need some thoughts from all of you. My Golden Retriever is 14. She has lost weight and is not interested in her dog food. I have switched brands multiple times thinking a different taste she would like. I am adding in rice today,but do any of you do a whole diet for your animals and make your own food. Would this help or is she just aging? I am willing to make any adjustments for her to continue to be comfortable and full. I am not trying to prolong her life,but just quality and by feeding her well I hope she can be with us longer.

 

[RitaE]

I had an older dog once that was dropping weight and my Vet gave me some recipes ... they mostly contained chicken, ground beef, rice and vegetables. I imagine you could probably find them online now.

My husband teased me endlessly about cooking a separate dinner every night for the dog but it really wasn't that bad and it stopped the weight loss.

 

[Earstou]

When my 20 yr old dog wasn't eating, the vet told me to start fixing food for her. The only thing I really remember fixing anymore is hamburger and rice. She really loved it and she started eating again. I also gave her peanut butter on bread at times, which she gobbled up too, but I don't remember if that was vet recommended.
We were able to slowly reintroduce dog food mixed into her hamburger and rice and she would eat both.

My dh said that dog ate better than he did (until I started mixing the dog food in, lol).

 

[danygirl]

When my dog gets like that - she is 12 Zander blind- I put goodies in it - chicken drippings, soup, etc. something that smells savory and softens the food to make it easier to eat. Peanut butter usually works too

 

[ceecee]

My vet told me chicken breast and she did eat it!

 

[Kae]

My dog Bailey lived to be 16 & he never was an "eater" to began with. We did Bacon Grease on his food, eggs & even canned dog food.

Kae

 

[motor58]

Our dog was like this too in her golden years. We switched to wet food and that helped a lot. But if your dog is already eating wet, I would try 1/2 ground beef and 1/2 rice. I am sorry, getting old is no fun at all.

 

[JoiseyMom]

There could be something else wrong if he isn't eating. Bring to the vet.

 

[Lynne G]

Awww. Old dogs. My sweet lab in her old age also lost weight very fast. We too cooked chicken and ground beef and cooked rice in chicken broth to help her. She also liked cheap hot dog pieces, which we gave her as a treat. We also fed her 4 to 5 times a day, with smaller potions.

She was a the kind of dog that we had to change dog food brands every time a new bag was needed. We had her for 12 years.

I hope you have some more time with your goldie.

 

[wiigirl]

My vet told me chicken breast and she did eat it!

 

[cvjw]

When my 12 year old black lab quit eating, I tried luncheon meat, hamburger meat and rice, chicken broth, boiled chicken, etc. Nothing worked. Turns out, he had advanced stage cancer.

Take your dog in for a check-up if you haven't already.

 

[luvmy3]

There could be something else wrong if he isn't eating. Bring to the vet.

Yes, please bring him in. I don't want to worry you but it could be a sign something is going on

 

[lvillotta1]

Gosh you are all so sweet. I did google whole food diet for dogs and found some good stuff. I boiled chicken,carrots and rice and mixed with some plain yogurt and she ate a huge bowl. Most she has eaten in a long time. They also advised bananas,apples,pears etc pureed in my Ninja. I pureed all of the above except rice. I think I will feed her again before bed tonight and mix the fruit in with everything else. Will stick with this for about a week to make sure she is doing ok.

I would take her to the Vet in a heart beat,but if she has cancer the outcome would not change since I would not treat. Otherwise she is acting fine. Thank you all so much for your help. I am feeling much better now.

 

[jakoky]

Hi there, i feed my dogs dog food in the morning and homemade food most nights. I make the enough food for about 5 days and use either ground hamburger, turkey or chicken, then add either brown rice or quinoa,, and for vegetables i add a few of either green beans, broccoli, spinach, celery, sweet potatoes (no skin) or carrots (all safe for dogs) and sometimes add in blueberries or apple also.

I also do recommend a vet check. One of our dogs also started to lose weight and an interest in food and she had lung cancer I would rule out any heath isuues first, and then spoil your dog with some yummy homemade food, my dogs LOVE it

Hope you get many more good years with your doggie

 

[lvillotta1]

About how much as far as cups of food do you do? Do you feed how many times a day? I probably had 2 cups all mixed together. Should I feed again tonight? Thanks so much for your post. I will be picking up some veggies,brown rice and fruit this weekend and would like to do a week also.
Laurie

 

[Handbag Lady]

I didn't see this suggestion yet but try heating up the wet food (assuming it is wet food) as it makes the food's aromas come out. Pets tend to loose the strong sense of smell as they age.

 

[RitaE]

About how much as far as cups of food do you do? Do you feed how many times a day? I probably had 2 cups all mixed together. Should I feed again tonight? Thanks so much for your post. I will be picking up some veggies,brown rice and fruit this weekend and would like to do a week also.
Laurie

I feed my dog twice a day but a lot depends on how the dog has been fed. If he can't/won't eat much in one meal then several smaller meals might be better. Watch for diarrhea though and make sure the dog stays well hydrated.

Also in terms of the Vet, even if you do not plan to treat for any serious illness, pain relief is not very expensive and can make a big difference in quality of life. Remember that many dogs do not give a sign of being in pain until the pain is really bad.

 

[jakoky]

My dogs are both about 3, one is about 44 lbs and the other is about 63. I feed them 1-1/4 cups at dinner. I do about 40% meat and 30% each of grain and vegetables. My smaller dog is much more active than my larger dog, there weight is staying the same so think I am feeding them a good amount. With your older dog, it maybe even sore teeth or something, so hard at that age.

 

[lauradis]

Mixing plain yogurt with dog food helps. I soaked hard food and put it in blender added hamburger and rice that worked too.

poor baby hope she feels better.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

If she hasn't been eating well lately I wouldn't let her eat a big meal all at once just for fear it might be too much suddenly and it wouldn't stay down.

But really, take the dog to the vet. For the last 2 years my one cat was alive, I hemmed and hawed about taking her because she fought so hard when we tried to get her in a carrier (literally have the scars to prove it). Everyone I talked to, even our old vet said "If a cat is eating, drinking, jumping and can go to the litter box, they're probably fine." She did all that, and very slowly got to the point where she didn't. Turns out when it was time to let her go she'd had crazy bad intestinal cancer. The vet said it was fine and that there wouldn't have been much they could have done anyway but I've always felt bad thinking maybe if they could have caught it or something...but anyway...I don't say this all to guilt you into anything. I'd just be more comfortable knowing at least the dog was evaluated and maybe it stays a little problem rather than turning into a big one.