What is the best food to put weight on an older dog?
Nella Stark
2025-09-10 13:22:16
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If your dog suddenly loses weight even though you haven’t changed anything, if they become less energetic out of nowhere, if they lose their appetite, or if you just have questions about their body condition, have them examined by a veterinarian. It’s important to rule out medical problems. Weight loss or loss of interest in food could be directly related to a whole host of medical issues, and the best way to rule them out is by visiting a vet. After ruling out health issues, 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. High-quality, human-grade meat that is lightly cooked provides highly digestible protein for aging bodies. Fresh, whole food provides other benefits that are relevant to seniors, it’s soft and easy to eat, and it helps keep your dog’s body hydrated, aiding digestion and elimination. 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.
Edwina Bergnaum
2025-09-01 15:48:26
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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. A food with high digestibility may also be a big boost. New food can increase your senior dog’s appetite. Palatability is important for senior dogs, so switching to a well-balanced, high-quality and highly palatable food might spark their appetite. Also, fresh food can be softer and easier to eat for senior dogs as well as higher in moisture than dry food. 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.
Cielo Keebler
2025-08-30 05:35:36
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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. There are specialist foods available for ‘senior’ dogs but remember that all dogs are different – whatever their age or breed - and some still burn off more calories than others. 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. Some vegetables can also help to provide fibre and antioxidants. If you want to opt for a grain-free diet, you can substitute potatoes or brown rice and also fish oil for those extra vitamins. Calcium can come in the form of plain yoghurt or cheese or even ground-up egg shells. 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.
Rylee Friesen
2025-08-19 16:02:40
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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. Adding supplements and treats can make your dog’s meals more enticing and increase their caloric intake. Look for nutritious treats specifically designed for senior dogs, which can help provide additional energy and nutrients. Try Wet Dog Food as it can be more palatable and easier for older dogs to eat. The moisture content helps with hydration, and many dogs find the texture and aroma appealing, which may encourage them to eat more. Soak Their Kibble in warm water or low-sodium broth to make it more enticing, this method not only softens the food, making it easier to chew but also enhances the flavour, encouraging your dog to eat more. 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.
Madaline Prohaska
2025-08-16 02:10:09
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When a dog is healthy, getting them to gain weight can be as simple as feeding them a little bit more of their current diet. A good dog food for weight gain will have several traits that make it not only appealing for dogs, but also healthy and nutritious. Dogs will be willing to eat more of a food that tastes good. Wet foods tend to be more palatable than dry, as are diets that are higher in fat and protein. Dog foods that are calorically dense pack a whole lot of energy into a small amount of food. This means that your dog doesn’t have to eat much to take in a lot of calories. While wet foods tend to be more palatable than dry, dry foods are almost always more calorically dense than wet. You can try mixing a small amount of highly palatable wet food in with calorically dense dry food to get the best of both worlds. Feed multiple small meals throughout the day rather than one or two larger portions. Dogs will typically eat more under these conditions.
Carolina Mohr
2025-08-02 04:51:37
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A diet to support ageing should contain antioxidants, high quality protein, reduced levels of phophorus which isn't needed in such quantity and can help to reduce the burden on the kidneys, and extra joint support for those ageing bones and joints. As your dog gets older, it’s a good idea to switch over to a diet that is lower in calories. Being less active, often due to joint problems, and having a slower metabolism means that it’s much more difficult for them to burn the calories that they gain from food. Changing what they eat Moving from an adult diet to one that is more suited to a senior dog is not as straightforward as it may sound. Suddenly switching to any new diet can cause your dog to have an upset stomach. When changing your dog’s diet, it’s usually best to add a small amount of new food to their current one, and gradually change the ratio of old food to new food over 7-10 days. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the quantity of food to give your dog and remember to weigh it out to avoid giving them too much. Manufacturer’s guidelines are, as the name suggests, just a guide, so keep an eye on your dog’s size and adjust the amount if you need to. Always speak to your vet before changing your dog’s diet.
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