Feeding an Elderly Dog

elsien

I was going to suggest porridge as well. And mine used to like well mushed up weetabix
Or have you tried making the rice with eggs or with gravy to give it a bit more taste? Or grating the chocolate in with something else so she can smell it, so it tempts her to eat something else at the same time.

zaksmum

My last dog used to be a nightmare eater all his life. I'd put his food out and he'd sniff it then sort of cower away as if convinced I was trying to poison him. then slink as far away from the food as possible...!

All the books tell you a dog will eat when really hungry...well he didn't. He would go for days without eating a thing while I became increasingly desperate.

I tried simmering chicken thighs, removing the bones then cooking some rice in the chicken broth. It became jelly like after it cooled and amazingly he loved it.

He pretty much lived on that the rest of his life.

But I knew I was losing him when even that didn't tempt him - he was 13 by then.

you could try that if you haven't already OP

suki1964

Weetabix made with water, add a wee bit of honey?

Did you ever try nature diet? Mashed up even softer with hot water perhaps

When I had a very poorly dog I fed it a teaspoon of food at a time by hand. Took forever to get a decent amount in him but he was worth the effort

I'm sorry I have no answers , I hope you find something to help her

Honey_Bear

Thank you for the excellent suggestions. I'm definitely going to try porridge, grated raw carrot, grated white chocolate or honey as a topper just for starters! I've tried quite a few of the other suggestions in the past, and even if they only work/worked for one meal, your suggestions are a huge and I'll try them again.

I'm very grateful for everyone's suggestions and I'm relieved someone else has also found that the idea that they'll eat anything if they're hungry enough is a myth. She will now only eat chicken if I am out for a few hours, so if I hadn't started this thread I'd be stuck with nothing but pilchards and sardines, which she yakks up if I give it to her too early in the day. Porridge made with water, laced with honey for breakfast today, as she's ignoring her chicken bowl this morning. At least I'm no longer worried because I'm stuck for ideas, so thank you all, once again.

suki1964

Honey_Bear wrote: »

Thank you for the excellent suggestions. I'm definitely going to try porridge, grated raw carrot, grated white chocolate or honey as a topper just for starters! I've tried quite a few of the other suggestions in the past, and even if they only work/worked for one meal, your suggestions are a huge and I'll try them again.

I'm very grateful for everyone's suggestions and I'm relieved someone else has also found that the idea that they'll eat anything if they're hungry enough is a myth. She will now only eat chicken if I am out for a few hours, so if I hadn't started this thread I'd be stuck with nothing but pilchards and sardines, which she yakks up if I give it to her too early in the day. Porridge made with water, laced with honey for breakfast today, as she's ignoring her chicken bowl this morning. At least I'm no longer worried because I'm stuck for ideas, so thank you all, once again.

One thing I know that happens to elderly humans is as they get older they find it harder to swallow plus they lose all taste

Perhaps liquidizing the chicken along with the rice and a few veg, making a sloppy gruel like mess that she can lap up? Add the sweet stuff as well if it entices her, after all a dog don't mind a hotch pot of flavours

CFC

Honey_Bear wrote: »

I'm very grateful for everyone's suggestions and I'm relieved someone else has also found that the idea that they'll eat anything if they're hungry enough is a myth. .

It's not a myth. Dogs are as individuals as humans. Some are very food orientated and some are not.

I think it's a question of just trying things out. The jelly from cooled boiled chicken, served liquid as a soup, is usually a favourite. Have you tried smoked mackeral, including the skin? A horrible job to go through it to ensure the bones are out, though.
Salmon is often favoured as well, especially the skin as it has a stronger smell.
Nature diet is very high quality food, it could be worth trying that - especially as another poster said, you can heat it and that focusses the aroma. Tinned Applaws is extremely good too if your wallet can bear it. These very high quality and premium foods are upwards of 70% meat/fish, with the rest being rice and veg.
Corned beef is often a favourite, as are hot dog sausages.

There has been a bit of research which says that rice and potato are definitely better than any kind of grain. I'd also go cautious on the veg. Some dogs will eat apple slices if you're desperate to get roughage into her. I'd be inclined not to worry about getting carbs into her if she doesn't fancy them. Dogs don't really need a lot of carbs and veg to have healthy insides in the way that people do. If she's not eating a lot, you are better off with what she's eating being full of protein.

But I bet she'd probably eat a shortbread biscuit if you offered it

It might be best to alternate the chicken and the fish on a daily basis to prevent boredom setting in.

harrys_nan

Im a little confused with giving dogs Chocolate, I've always thought that chocolate for dogs is a big no no, Thought it could make them ill or worse, so is white chocolate different??

suki1964

harrys_nan wrote: »

Im a little confused with giving dogs Chocolate, I've always thought that chocolate for dogs is a big no no, Thought it could make them ill or worse, so is white chocolate different??

It's theobromine in the cocoa bean that's toxic to dogs

Dark 70% chocolate is a complete no no However there is so little cocoa in white chocolate that usually it can be given in small amounts with no ill effect

At this dogs stage in life I too wouldn't be too worried


My last lads last meal was malteasers

harrys_nan

suki1964 wrote: »

It's theobromine in the cocoa bean that's toxic to dogs

Dark 70% chocolate is a complete no no However there is so little cocoa in white chocolate that usually it can be given in small amounts with no ill effect

Thanks, I wasn't criticising, just curious.:)

I used to let my dog have chocolate( only little bits ) until i found out they shouldnt have it, I now give her a few doggie choc's.
I have to say my dog is 15 in a couple of weeks so the chocolate never hurt her

suki1964

harrys_nan wrote: »

suki1964 wrote: »

It's theobromine in the cocoa bean that's toxic to dogs

Dark 70% chocolate is a complete no no However there is so little cocoa in white chocolate that usually it can be given in small amounts with no ill effect

Thanks, I wasn't criticising, just curious.:)

I used to let my dog have chocolate( only little bits ) until i found out they shouldnt have it, I now give her a few doggie choc's.
I have to say my dog is 15 in a couple of weeks so the chocolate never hurt her

Ohi know you weren't

I just gave the explanation in case anyone reading the thread thought it was ok to go load their doggies full of choccie not understanding the risks


my last lad scoffed a pound box Cadbury roses one Christmas Eve. A very expensive emergency vet appointment and he was fine. Vet said there was so little cocoa in the chocolate he would be surprised if he suffered any ill effects.

There were some brightly coloured poos for a couple of days and that was it :rotfl: