How can I fatten up my senior dog?

If your senior dog is losing weight because they’re not eating their current food, consider switching to one with healthy, fresh protein as a main ingredient. Fresh, whole food provides other benefits that are relevant to seniors, it’s soft and easy to eat, and because it contains more moisture than dried, heavily processed pellets, it helps keep your dog’s body hydrated, aiding digestion and elimination. As dogs get older, their bodies’ systems may slow down, so it’s crucial to provide a balance of the right nutrients in the right ratios. Protein is especially important for senior dogs. The quality of protein is also important to seniors whose bodies may not be functioning with the same efficiency as younger dogs, high-quality, human-grade meat that is lightly cooked provides highly digestible protein for aging bodies. Dogs may eat more of a food if they like it more, if your dog seems to have lost interest in their food, and you and a vet have gone over possible medical and behavioral explanations with no luck, you may get results by giving them more appetizing food. In addition to a Body Condition Score, a vet can assess your dog’s Muscle Condition Score, sometimes a dog who is not underweight can still lose muscle mass, and that can be detrimental to their health, depending on the reason for the loss of muscle, it may help them to eat more protein or have the protein in their diet be more digestible. A pre-portioned plan can make it easier to give your senior dog precisely the right number of calories each day.

Many older dogs become less active and, therefore, show a tendency to gain weight but sometimes it’s the reverse and they may have health issues that can lead to weight loss. It’s important, therefore, to ensure he’s as healthy as possible and is regularly monitored by your Vet in case there’s an underlying problem requiring treatment – such as thyroid or dental problems which may be affecting his appetite. Most branded ‘Senior’ foods generally contain less calories so it’s important to continue to monitor his weight regularly as you may in fact need to change his diet to help him ‘fatten up’. Some ‘senior’ dogs can also prefer to eat 2 or 3 small meals a day rather than one larger bowlful. Meat should make up at least half their diet – ideally low fat such as chicken and you can include small amounts of liver or heart etc too. Cooked fish is also often enjoyed too and eggs are also a source of protein. Buddy & Lola can help too with our Weight Gainer High Calorie Supplement. It’s a natural weight gainer and carefully formulated to support elderly, underweight or just plain ‘picky’ dogs with all their nutritional needs. It helps gain weight, build muscle mass, maintain healthy skin and coat quality, support immunity and generally maintain your dog’s health and energy as they get older.

To combat weight loss in senior dogs, monitor their activity levels and adjust their diet to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need without overfeeding. Switching to high-quality senior dog food can provide the necessary nutrients tailored to the needs of older dogs. Look for formulations rich in protein and healthy fats to encourage weight gain while supporting their overall health. Incorporating supplements and treats can make your dog’s meals more enticing and increase their caloric intake. Try Wet Dog Food as it can be more palatable and easier for older dogs to eat. Soak Their Kibble in warm water or low-sodium broth to make it more enticing. Consider Smaller Meals More Frequently, feeding smaller, more frequent meals can help stimulate your dog’s appetite. This approach can be easier for their digestive system and may encourage them to eat more overall.

If your senior is otherwise healthy, there’s lots you can do to keep them interested in food, and to help them gain or keep weight. Changing your dog’s food can be beneficial, however, there’s nothing wrong with keeping your senior dog on the same food they ate as an adult, if they’re doing well and maintaining a good body condition. A food with high digestibility may also be a big boost. Senior dogs require balanced food, senior dogs need a balanced, easily digestible diet with the right ratio of nutrients, this can be supported by things like high-quality, human-grade protein which can support your dog’s digestion, hydration, and elimination. Also, fresh food can be softer and easier to eat for senior dogs as well as higher in moisture than dry food. New food can increase your senior dog’s appetite, switching to a well-balanced, high-quality and highly palatable food might spark their appetite. Just ensure that you have ruled out any possible health conditions or behavioral explanations for your dog’s loss of appetite first, naturally, this needs to be done in concert with your veterinarian.