Old Dogs

Post Reply
User avatar
Sharon
GDF Junkie
Posts: 9113
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 4:46 pm
Location: Ontario,Canada

Old Dogs

Post by Sharon » Mon Jun 24, 2019 12:28 pm

What is your experience with old dogs? Do they eat less ? Vet says my old girl ( almost 14) is "fine" , but she eats half of what she used to last year.
" We are more than our gender, skin color, class, sexuality or age; we are unlimited potential, and can not be defined by one label." quote A. Bartlett

shags
GDF Junkie
Posts: 2717
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:57 pm

Re: Old Dogs

Post by shags » Mon Jun 24, 2019 3:08 pm

I've had a couple of dogs that self-regulated their food (calorie) intake as they aged and were less active. As long as they acted OK and didn't seem to be sick or losing too much weight, I tried not to worry about it. One thing that helped was for me to reduce the amount that went into the food pan; I didn't have to see what they weren't eating :? and sometimes being a little bit hungry made them want to consume more.

I assume you vet checked your old gal's teeth? Dirty teeth can cause all kinds of problems, and sometimes we can't see broken or infected teeth through a build-up of tartar.

Did the vet run any labs for kidney function? That can be a problem with old dogs, and make them feel too sick to eat much.

Top dressing kibble with canned food can help perk up appetites too.

Are Purina products available up there? I had excellent results with Purina Bright Mind. It made impressive good changes in one of my droopy old guys, and since then I've switched over to it for my current oldies.

Best wishes for your old girl, it's so hard to watch them age.

User avatar
Sharon
GDF Junkie
Posts: 9113
Joined: Fri May 09, 2008 4:46 pm
Location: Ontario,Canada

Re: Old Dogs

Post by Sharon » Mon Jun 24, 2019 6:45 pm

Thanks very much Shags. Excellent suggestions as usual. May well be that less strenuous exercise = less appetite.
(Yes we have Purina up here ; Canada is part of the modern world ... LOL.... just kiddin' ya.
" We are more than our gender, skin color, class, sexuality or age; we are unlimited potential, and can not be defined by one label." quote A. Bartlett

User avatar
roaniecowpony
Rank: 5X Champion
Posts: 817
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 10:05 am
Location: westcoast

Re: Old Dogs

Post by roaniecowpony » Sun Jul 14, 2019 12:15 pm

Sharon,
When my lab got to be about 8 or so, I had to start cutting her back because she'd gain weight. She still had a lab's appetite, so I wanted to get more bulk. I switched to Proplan Savor Chicken & Rice Shredded Blend 28/13 360 kcal/cup. She stayed on that till we lost her. It kept her trim and fit.

User avatar
Settertude
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 75
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:36 pm
Location: Grove, Oklahoma by way of New Hampshire

Re: Old Dogs

Post by Settertude » Wed Aug 07, 2019 2:50 pm

My Tucker Llew is gonna be 13 in a few weeks and he has cut himself back and has maintained a steady weight...where he should be after losing a few pounds.
He remains enthusiastic for snacks and people meats.

Just had his check up a few days ago and we are happy. Bloodwork all good and vet said his teeth and gums are remarkably good considering his age.
Just osteoporosis in his rear knees.

marysburg
Rank: Champion
Posts: 341
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:54 am

Re: Old Dogs

Post by marysburg » Wed Aug 07, 2019 8:50 pm

Sharon, I'm dealing with an oldster who is needing a little extra to hold her weight. She is a 12 year old Brittany who is still going for field walks and can do light training and hunts, but her appetite is not enough to keep her at a good body condition.
I've started to mix about a coffee spoon of canned cat food into her kibble, and she can't resist. I think she feels like she's stealing it from the cat. Good luck with your old girl.

User avatar
kninebirddog
GDF Premier Member!
Posts: 7846
Joined: Sat Dec 25, 2004 12:45 am
Location: Coolidge AZ

Re: Old Dogs

Post by kninebirddog » Wed Aug 28, 2019 11:36 am

https://www.k9instinct.com/blog/satin-b ... eight-dogs

What we do is roll them into hotdog shape in individual small sandwich bags with out the zipper top roll up like a cigar then will put those individual rolled satin sticks into a 1 gallon freezer bag
I use a level fill ice cream scoop for measuring.
Add one a day till you get your dog to weight then cut in half.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"When I hear somebody talk about a horse or cow being stupid, I figure its a sure sign that the animal has outfoxed them." Tom Dorrance
If you feel like you are banging your head against the wall, try using the door.

Post Reply