Food for putting weight on older dogs

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Has anyone any suggestions? I feed Skinners Duck and Rice at the moment, which I trust. I tried to increase Hoover's food intake by feeding him 2 meals a day but it is making him loose - I suppose he will get used to it soon, but I'd rather feed something more fattening if there is such a thing? He didn't put weight on with raw either, he is one of those naturally 'light' dogs :(
 
It is very hard to find any advice on putting weight on for dogs, I guess obesity is more of a problem.

When my Lurcher was sick and became seriously under weight I was feeding her three meals a day. I bulked up the dog food she had with mashed sweet potato, squash or brown rice and added cooked chicken. Also fed her scrambled eggs and sardines. I do remember when I worked in animal welfare a v v skinny (cruelty case) GSD came in and was fed on either sardines or pilchards in oil and it put on weight quite quickly.
 
Thanks very much CMcC - sardines and pilchards are really easy to get hold of, I'll try topping his food with those every meal. He isn't drastically underweight by any means - he had lost about 1 - 1.5k when he was weighed at the vets last week, his overall weight is about 33kg now - but I'd like to make him a bit rounder in his later years :)
 
Change to a puppy food in the same brand you are using (if they do one) or a premium activity/working dog food if they do one. Both give extra calories for the same bulk (and most dogs think the puppy food is yummier than adult). Alternatively, swap to a cat or kitten food for a while but less risk of tummy upsets if you use puppy food in the same brand the dog is already on.
You can also add just oil to the diet (on the same principles as horse diets) if you wanted to avoid a fishy breath smell -its usually the sunflower oil the fish is in that adds the calories, though most fish will add omega-3's too.
 
You can't beat good old green tripe for putting weight on in my view. But if he won't eat it, or you can't stand the smell, then pilchards in oil are a good second choice
 
I used goats milk to keep weight on mine when he was working hard and couldnt eat enough to keep the weight on. I tended to mix it in with his raw and make a big gloopy soup. He loved the stuff!
 
MurphysMinder said:
You can't beat good old green tripe for putting weight on in my view. But if he won't eat it, or you can't stand the smell, then pilchards in oil are a good second choice
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Oh he adores green tripe and I can cope with the smell - it seems to be finding somewhere that sells it in the pure unadulterated form that my mum used to feed? :D MVM for example sell beef and lamb tripe, but because it is minced I can't match it to the disgusting stuff I know so well :p
 
I've just changed foods for my 11yrs girl as she had lost a bit of weight and was not eating with such gusto.

She was always fed JWB and since swapping to Lillys Kitchen she has put weight on and enjoying her food. I think she was bored and being that bit older it was finding something to tempt her .
 
Lévrier;13762942 said:
He will be 12 this year :)
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Thanks.
The reason I asked is that studies have shown that dogs require more protein in their diet as they get older to prevent loss of muscle mass & therefore weight.
I looked at the Skinners Duck & Rice you feed & it's 22% protein, I know you trust it but I would consider looking at something around the 30% mark & giving that a try.
The green Tripe is an excellent idea, it's full of digestive enzymes (left over from the previous owner) & beneficial bacteria, a cracking food.

An article from the American kennel club https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/general-nutrition/how-to-feed-the-senior-dog/
 
BlackadderUK said:
Thanks.
The reason I asked is that studies have shown that dogs require more protein in their diet as they get older to prevent loss of muscle mass & therefore weight.
I looked at the Skinners Duck & Rice you feed & it's 22% protein, I know you trust it but I would consider looking at something around the 30% mark & giving that a try.
The green Tripe is an excellent idea, it's full of digestive enzymes (left over from the previous owner) & beneficial bacteria, a cracking food.

An article from the American kennel club https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/general-nutrition/how-to-feed-the-senior-dog/
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Thanks Blackadder that is really interesting and - if I think about it - not surprising.

Has anyone any recommendations for kibble that is 30% protein by any chance?
 
When I was getting weight on my rescue I gave tinned sardines a lot in oil too and they're great - ALDI do them the cheapest!

You could also do things like scrambled egg with added milk, porridge etc.
 
A lot of puppy and working dog kibbles (and those for lactating bitches) have high protein levels. And greyhound mixes - could you get your hands on any Red Mills or Gain?

ETA Ironically I used to feed my adult dog a food for older dogs as it was so low protein!
 
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Thanks CC and SA - I'll have a Google! I am happy to feed pilchards/sardines/scrambled eggs etc as additional foods, I will definitely do that i the short term until I can investigate other possible options
 
Lévrier;13763542 said:
Thanks Blackadder that is really interesting and - if I think about it - not surprising.

Has anyone any recommendations for kibble that is 30% protein by any chance?
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I know I am boring but Millies Wolfheart do some real rocket fuels. In the off season I am fairly limited in their range trying to get foods under 30% protein. They are helpful if you contact them.
 
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