Older Shih Tzu - food to gain weight?

[MrsMozart]

We have a fourteen year old Shih Tzu who is losing weight, although remains bright eyed and bushy tailed. The vet doesn't have any suggestions as he's otherwise fit and well.

He's not that bothered about food and doesn't have all his teeth. We'll often hand feed him tidbits of anything that he shows an interest in, but it would be good to find a food he'll eat daily.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Anything with lamb and duck is good for weight gain. I don't feed wet/tins as a rule but if travelling I've found the Naturo trays quite good? Or some of the higher end/better quality chubb rolls might suit.

 

[MrsMozart]

Thank you CC. I'll go looksee as, for some reason, I'm assuming they're bought on-line?

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

My virtually toothless rescue Shih has really blossomed on a daily dinner of a third of a tray of Nature diet meat with a couple of handfuls of J.Wellbeloved small dog adult duck and rice over the top
Hope you find something to suit x

 

[MrsMozart]

Thank you TFF, will try those as well Good to read that your dog is doing well

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Thank you TFF, will try those as well Good to read that your dog is doing well

Mine is nowhere as old as yours is tho, but gradually her body weight went from just under 5kg in January last year, to a healthy 7kg by June 16 and she's maintained that since
As long as your vet has ruled out anything that might be causing an issue with weightloss tho x

 

[{97702}]

My old greyhound - who I recently lost at very nearly 14 - was a nightmare to keep weight on throughout her life - I found a raw diet kept the weight on her best, tripe and lamb particularly? I know it isn't for everyone, I am not trying to be evangelical, but it really did work

 

[MrsMozart]

Mine is nowhere as old as yours is tho, but gradually her body weight went from just under 5kg in January last year, to a healthy 7kg by June 16 and she's maintained that since
As long as your vet has ruled out anything that might be causing an issue with weightloss tho x

Ooh, sounds promising. He was a rescue, about twelve or so years ago. He'd not had the best of starts but been okay for years. Vet is the one he's seen all the way along and she commented on his weight loss when he went for claw clipping and for a check on why losing weight. She says he 'might have something going on', but unless we're going to do intrusive work then we won't know for sure. I don't think that given his age he's really up for much poking about. He's happy and bright in himself. We're at the vet tomorrow with one of the other dogs so I'll raise the issue again, see what they'd really do if given totally free rein.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I got mine in Tesco lol!

 

[{97702}]

Ooh, sounds promising. He was a rescue, about twelve or so years ago. He'd not had the best of starts but been okay for years. Vet is the one he's seen all the way along and she commented on his weight loss when he went for claw clipping and for a check on why losing weight. She says he 'might have something going on', but unless we're going to do intrusive work then we won't know for sure. I don't think that given his age he's really up for much poking about. He's happy and bright in himself. We're at the vet tomorrow with one of the other dogs so I'll raise the issue again, see what they'd really do if given totally free rein.

I would ask for a full range of blood tests - it may not find the problem but it would be helpful without being too intrusive? I agree with your vet entirely, when Islay reached that age I told my vet emphatically that I would not consider anything invasive for her given her age and if I felt things could not be resolved I would make the PTS decision for her.... it was the right choice

 

[SpringArising]

Mine was a rescue and came to me in very poor condition. I've had him for four months and he's put on 3kgs exactly!

He gets a lot of different things but I drizzle olive oil on his biscuits, he gets a lot of raw egg and scrambled egg, some whole milk and bran flakes/porridge a few times a week and lots of fish etc. He's looking a lot better and has a beautiful shine to his coat.

Before at 17kgs:

Now at 20:

 

[MrsMozart]

L I like the raw diet and used to have them all on it, but he lost interest especially in the bits I thought he'd find most interesting. Will try again. Aye re. bloods, I don't think he (the dog) would object too strongly although he's not too keen on being handled. It would be worth it as there might be something they can offer that he'd be okay with.

CC Tesco's is it then!

SA that is one seriously gorgeous dog! I'll try those as well. For some reason I haven't tried him with milk. He won't have porridge or eggs or just about many other things, but thinking about it he will have gravy (D makes a damn decent gravy!) so I'll have him knock a batch up

 

[{97702}]

Good luck Mrs M - this reminds me of Islay, I hope you find something that helps xxx

 

[CorvusCorax]

My Tesco does Lily's Kitchen which is another pretty good wet option. Would he take oily fish like sardines also?

 

[{97702}]

My Tesco does Lily's Kitchen which is another pretty good wet option. Would he take oily fish like sardines also?

Your Tesco is a lot better than the Gloucester one!!!

 

[{97702}]

Mine was a rescue and came to me in very poor condition. I've had him for four months and he's put on 3kgs exactly!

He gets a lot of different things but I drizzle olive oil on his biscuits, he gets a lot of raw egg and scrambled egg, some whole milk and bran flakes/porridge a few times a week and lots of fish etc. He's looking a lot better and has a beautiful shine to his coat.

Before at 17kgs:

Now at 20:

What a smashing dog SA, lovely shiny coat in the second pic

 

[MrsMozart]

Thank you L

Will looksee CC!

 

[viking Flagship]

Tinned Sardines - healthy fats, irresistible smell (if you're a dog!) and soft

 

[CorvusCorax]

Your Tesco is a lot better than the Gloucester one!!!

It's a Tesco Extra. I spend most evenings hovering round the bargain bin lol.

 

[SpringArising]

SA that is one seriously gorgeous dog! I'll try those as well. For some reason I haven't tried him with milk. He won't have porridge or eggs or just about many other things, but thinking about it he will have gravy (D makes a damn decent gravy!) so I'll have him knock a batch up

What a smashing dog SA, lovely shiny coat in the second pic

Thank you both. He's a loveable little rascal!

Tinned Sardines - healthy fats, irresistible smell (if you're a dog!) and soft

And yes definitely to this. They absolutely love them and they're cheap!

 

[MrsMozart]

He's one of the few who isn't bothered by them (the sardines). He really is a fussy bobber. Give him a posh pouch in the mornings as hoped it would tempt.

 

[rara007]

Is his B12 level OK? High protein is your friend

 

[MrsMozart]

Is his B12 level OK? High protein is your friend

I'll ask vet to check it, ta He'll take a few bits of cooked meat. If I cook some off and have it to hand, along with the gravy then he might take more often.