Translationsneeded1
Well-Known Member
As title…I’d like to see what other people recommend for the old ones. There’s so much choice out there!
What do you feed your oldie who needs a bit more?
- Thread starter Translationsneeded1
- Start date
AmyMay
Situation normal
What ‘more’ do they need?
CrunchieBoi
Well-Known Member
We bought raw goats milk for our last old boy, seemed to help him maintain his weight as he became picky with his normal food.
windand rain
Well-Known Member
Does she have grass hay or both. My oldies have veteran vitality which does them great there is a light version if they are fat
Bionic Boy
Well-Known Member
During the summer my old boy gets Alfa Senior and Spillers daily balancer and ad lib hay. During winter he gets the same with a load of sugar beet added.
Translationsneeded1
Well-Known Member
I’m really hoping I posted this on all about dogs. Tbf he does eat a bit of grass ?
HashRouge
Well-Known Member
It's about dogs, although I have to say I almost missed it too!
OP, I'd possibly edit the post to mention the word "dog" somewhere, as a lot of people use the "new posts" function and won't notice that this post is in the All About Dogs section!
AmyMay
Situation normal
Is this about a dog or horse? ??
AmyMay
Situation normal
So what ‘more’ does your dog need?
windand rain
Well-Known Member
In which case there are veteran dog foods too usually in the 7+ range my old dog is allergic to almost everything going but is considerably better on the salmon and sweet potato mole valley food. If skinny then sardines in oil go down well with most dogs
Pearlsacarolsinger
Up in the clouds
I used to add a raw egg to my elderly Lab's daily diet, because I knew that she loved them but as above, there are loads of 'Senior' foods available. I would start by feeding the senior version of what ever you are feeding currently and see how you get on.
CorvusCorax
'It's only a laugh, no harm done'
Fish oil/oily fish, raw eggs, coconut oil, pasta, tripe.
Senior dog food typically has less protein, just FYI.
Senior dog food typically has less protein, just FYI.
Odyssey
Well-Known Member
Senior dog foods are just a marketing gimmick imo - usually lower in fat and meat/fish protein, but more expensive for a poorer quality food. The only time these might need to be reduced is for medical reasons. They sometimes add joint supplements such as glucosamine, but it's much better to add this as a separate supplement at a relevant level. Muscle mass decreases with age, but is obviously so important to older animals (and people) as it helps support joints and maintains strength. Protein is what builds and repairs muscle, so reducing protein in an older dogs diet is the opposite of what they need. Older dogs just need a good quality food the same as any dog, and added nutrition from lightly cooked vegetables, eggs, oily fish, tripe etc can only be a good thing. The Dogs Naturally Magazine website has lots of excellent articles on dog food and health, if you want to do a bit of reading.
CorvusCorax
'It's only a laugh, no harm done'
I fed one of mine a senior feed precisely because it was low-protein, basic mulch, as it was bland enough that it didn't trigger his allergies.
Annette4
Well-Known Member
It depends on what they need. Tripe is my go to for helping picky eaters and bulking up dogs who need it.
Thistle
Well-Known Member
Forthglade trays suit my oldie with dodgy digestion.
CrunchieBoi
Well-Known Member
I've now got a vision in my head of an old doggie looking at a bowl of hay in utter disgust.
CorvusCorax
'It's only a laugh, no harm done'
My Mum's helpful friend picked the wrong sack and gave her dog a lovely big bowl of squirrel food when she had an overnight hospital visit last year. He did not eat it.
planete
Well-Known Member
I am sticking to my dogs' usual food as they get older (all over 10, one over 14). I just top it up with cheap supermarket minced beef and some eggs a few times a week. I personally have needed more protein and fat as I got older in order to keep weight on. I would not buy low protein food unless for medical reasons. The dogs and I are fairly active and tend to lose weight easily so our diet has been modified to suit us.
The Xmas Furry
🦄 🦄
I've been using puppy food for P dog in the last 2 months, her gradual weight loss has stopped and is starting to put weight on slowly.
Having spoken to vet last week when we were there for flu jab, she agreed we should avoid any senior foods as not enough protein in them.
Currently Lily's Kitchen puppy trays are going down well, having tried others.
Having spoken to vet last week when we were there for flu jab, she agreed we should avoid any senior foods as not enough protein in them.
Currently Lily's Kitchen puppy trays are going down well, having tried others.
Highmileagecob
Well-Known Member
If you are concerned that your dog's kidneys may not be working as well as they used to, then switch to an easily digested form of protein - fish and chicken is the usual go-to. If you just want to increase the bulk, then my old vet from years ago used to advise mixing mashed potato with the meat. Easily digested and no additives. I too don't understand the marketing exercise of giving less protein to an older dog or cat. They may not be able to break down the protein as efficiently, but certainly need the same amount!
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
Sadly although my dogs are all lean I don’t find it so easy ?
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
Mine stay on the same food. I add flax oil daily, eggs and sardines a few days a week.