What to Feed an Old Dog That is Losing Weight

what to feed an old dog that is losing weight

Dogs of all ages need a nutritionally sound diet. If your senior dog is losing weight, make some simple modifications to his food plan to see if that helps.

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Elderly dogs typically require lower-calorie food as their activity levels decrease, and vegetables can help improve digestion as they’re easier to chew than dry kibble.

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Calorie-dense diets

If your senior dog is losing weight rapidly, it is essential that their diet be monitored closely and any necessary changes made. A gradual loss is unlikely to pose serious issues; sudden or dramatic weight changes could signal serious health concerns in an old animal.

Canned food may help your dog maintain their weight and muscle mass more easily than dry dog food due to its higher moisture content and greater appeal among senior dogs.

Add wet food or canned chicken broth to the regular kibble for your older pet to help soften it and make chewing easier, and provide additional protein which is particularly important in maintaining muscle strength for senior dogs. This may especially beneficial if they’ve lost teeth or have dental issues. It can also provide extra protein benefits – something seniors could benefit from having in order to stay strong!

Soft dry dog food

Soft dry dog food may help an older pet who is losing weight to achieve greater success in his weight-loss efforts. Soft food digests easily, relieving stress from their pancreas. This may be particularly helpful if they suffer from pancreatitis.

Older dogs often develop sensitive teeth and jaw issues that make chewing hard kibble painful for them, leading to less appetite overall and increased discomfort in their mouths. By switching them over to a soft diet plan it may ease this oral discomfort and potentially even improve it!

Find canned foods designed specifically to provide senior pets with all of their nutritional needs, with guaranteed analysis from AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials). A balanced food will contain more proteins, fiber, vitamins, and minerals than an overly calorically dense kibble; look for those made with natural ingredients as well as premium meats and veggies – and add a bit of wet food into his dry kibble to add moisture and flavor.

Wet food

As well as soaking dry kibble in low-sodium chicken broth or bone broth to soften and make chewing easier, you could also introduce wet food into your pet’s diet for extra flavor, aroma and nutrition. Doing this may even encourage them to dig right in!

Wet food tends to have higher palatability than dry, making it more suitable for older dogs who struggle to pick up and chew on kibble. Ideally, ideally feed an elderly dog both wet and dry food to meet their daily calorie needs.

One common myth about senior dog food is that it contains less calories and protein than other diets, however this is incorrect. Your veterinarian can calculate your pet’s daily calorie requirements before providing advice on the most efficient combination of wet and dry food to achieve these needs.

Homemade food

Home-prepared foods may be enough to aid an old dog who is losing weight, such as carrots and sweet potatoes which provide carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals; and leafy greens which offer antioxidants and fiber – such meals may also be easier for seniors to digest.

Another solution would be soaking your old dog’s kibble in warm low-sodium chicken or bone broth to soften and revive his appetite. If this does not help, perhaps speaking with your veterinarian about an appetite stimulant.

No matter if your goal is to simply get an older dog eating more or fattening up an underweight one, a visit to your vet and assessment of his physical state for any illness or disease that might be responsible is always the first step towards successful weight gain or increased consumption. Once this step has been completed, try doing one or more of the following strategies to encourage him to consume more: