Hi- Fromm is an excellent food. I use it for my 1yr old pitbull. Which Fromm formula is that for the senior? The Family Classics Mature? Senior dogs do have a higher protein requirement as they age because they can’t process protein as well. However, the problem is that most senior formulas are really too low in quality animal protein.
For the most part, senior foods are too low in protein. Senior dogs need hiher protein, not low. The only senior dog food I’d use is Orijen senior.
Hello! I am purchasing a new food for my family’s 12 year old Chow Chow and 9 year old Westie. I would like some advice on whether a senior formula is really more beneficial for older dogs or if it will yield the same nutritional results as the adult formula. Here is a little info on each:
Senior:
Calories- 3636
Protein- 23.99
Fat- 12.60
Fiber- 3.54
Adult:
Calories- 4168
Protein- 26.96
Fat- 16.63
Fiber- 3.6
Hello! I am purchasing a new food for my family’s 12 year old Chow Chow and 9 year old Westie. Unfortunately both doggies grew up on poor quality dog food 🙁 but i am trying to remain positive and think about the huge difference Fromm is going to make! I would like some advice on whether a senior formula is really more beneficial or if it will yield the same nutritional results as the adult formula. Here is a little info on each:
Senior:
Calories- 3636
Protein- 23.99
Fat- 12.60
Fiber- 3.54
Adult:
Calories- 4168
Protein- 26.96
Fat- 16.63
Fiber- 3.6
I really want to provide the best possible food for the remainder of their lives!
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This topic was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by
Haley F.
How old is she? I have a senior peke that has some issues in that department. In his case, it’s not the food. How often is she having bowel movements? Is she constipated?
PS: With my dog, he is old and his anal sphincter doesn’t work that well, anymore.
He does best on Wysong senior kibble soaked in water overnight, sometimes a spoonful of chicken, more water.
But, he often needs help to have a bowel movement. I have a medical background so I deal with it.
Talk to your vet as how to proceed.
Consider seeing an Internal Medicine Specialist, if you have to. You don’t want to end up in prolapsed rectum territory.
Have environmental allergies been ruled out? X-rays to rule out an obstruction?
http://www.homeovet.net/dynamic/php/downloads/dog-c8470f2c75dbe4b683205c3919ee2310/dog_diet_complete.pdf
Have you checked out what Wysong has to offer? http://www.wysong.net/testimonials/?article=45&cat=cat1
My senior small breed does well on Wysong senior (carried by Chewey.com)
They also have a prescription food: http://www.wysong.net/veterinarian/rx-diets/organ.html
What about Nutrisca salmon and chickpea?
The search engine here: /forums/search/pancreatitis/
I do not necessarily agree with all of the opinions provided.
Hope this helps.
PS: Is your vet an Internal Medicine Specialist? It makes a difference…
Senior dogs need higher protein, not low which is what most senior foods are. Orijen has a very good senior foods. I’d keep away from grains & potato for the arthritic one as they can be inflammatory. Add your own joint supplement. The amount in the food isn’t worth bothering with. Basically, any grain/potato/chicken grainfree food with protein over 28% at the minimum
I like Wysong senior, or Nutrisca salmon and chickpea. I add a glucosamine supplement for dogs by GNC. But, I believe it’s not a good idea to add glucosamine if your dog is prone to bladder stones…so check with your vet first.
I soak the kibble in water overnight.
PS: I believe the Nutrisca salmon and chickpea has no chicken. Wysong has a variety of foods, some have no chicken. Check chewy.com for prices and delivery and compare.
HI everyone- I’m new to dog food advisor and was wondering if I could get some suggestions on food as I am literally at my wits end. I have 2 senior dogs. 11 and 10 years old. One senior dog is very inactive and has arthritis so I am looking for a senior food preferably that has extra Gluc. and Chond. in it for him. My other dog is still rather active but has a huge sensitivity to Chicken. He can not eat chicken, chicken meal, chicken fat, chicken broth, or even poultry fat. Right now they are eating Nature’s recipe senior lamb and rice that contains poultry fat in it. I thought he would be ok with the poultry fat but he has been so itchy because of it and I know I need to switch them again. I cant find any senior food that does not contain any chicken or poultry. Any suggestions??
I have been reading a lot of good comments on Onijen dog food. My Boston Terrier has Cushing’s and I have been trying to find a food that will give him the protein he needs for his legs strength but low in carbs. He is a senior dog( 12 years) and not a puppy but you can check out Chewy.com and maybe get helpful info. I also got great information from the U of TN vet school on food and supplements. I have 3 other boston’s so they will never get any more “junk” dog food either! I’m making home cooked meals now and using supplements for the proper vitamins etc that they need. I grind up everything in the food processor to make it easier for him to chew. Good luck with you r new baby.
Each review is updated every 18 months in an attempt to stay current and not stagnate. Some dog food brands change ingredients even more often than that and some foods don’t change for years. There was an update in 12/2012 and then again in 4/2014. There were some recipe changes and some GA changes resulting in rating changes. A representative food is picked that is usually (not all the time) in the same star category as the brand itself and near the brand’s average.
The following was from 2012:
Diamond Naturals Large Breed 60+ Adult
Diamond Naturals Adult Chicken and Rice
Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete (5 stars)
Diamond Naturals Adult Beef Meal and Rice
Diamond Naturals Adult Lamb Meal and Rice
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy (5 stars)
Diamond Naturals Lite Lamb Meal and Rice (3 stars)
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Lamb and Rice
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Lamb and Rice
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Chicken and Rice
Diamond Naturals Senior 8+ Chicken, Egg and Oatmeal
Diamond Naturals Large Breed Adult Lamb Meal and Rice
The remaining recipes were 4 stars. So with the new changes, a 4-star recipe was chosen as the example.
Hi Cindy- I work for a couple who own a small pet store and they have 2 senior greyhounds amoung other dogs. They also work closely with greyhound rescues. They feed them everything from multiple different brands, to different types of food (kibble, canned, dehydrated raw) and even expired food we take off the shelves. As far as they have told me they have no issues with their stomach’s being sensitive. Sensitive stomach to me has never really been a “breed issue” as a sensitive stomach is more likely to occur by being fed the same food for too long. If you are feeding a variety of foods and still having GI issues you may want to consider seeing a vet, if you haven’t already. Could be more than just a sensitive stomach.
For a senior dog, quality of protein is what matters. As they age their ability to extract the protein from their diet diminishes, so senior dogs may require as much as 50% more quality protein than younger dogs just to get the same amount out of their food, however, their need for protein does not diminish at all. Higher quality sources are easier for them to utilize.
Orijen is an excellent food, that being said, it is not for every dog. I know a few people who’s dogs have severe allergies (they are GSD’s not pitbulls but still) and their dogs can ONLY eat Acana. My pit was the same exact way about food. He was not interested in eating. He would eat for a few weeks then he would walk away from the food and I had to hand feed it to him. When I introduced canned food into his diet, he instantly starting eating again. Now he loves eating so much I can add just 3 spoonfuls of canned food on top of his dry and he eats no problem. I can make 1 can last for 4 meals that way! Whereas before, I was blowing through 2 cans a day.
As I highly recommend keeping him on a high protein food given that for a large breed he is considered a senior and they do have a higher protein requirement.
If your bulldog is not allergic to chicken I would highly recommend looking into the Wysong Epigen 90. It’s the only food on the market that is completely starch free which would help with the gunk build up in the ears which sounds like yeast.
Hi Carlos- Congrats on your move! I just moved out of New England to the south myself last year and it has been a nice change. Hope you and your family are enjoying your new home!
To answer your question, since your boy is getting up there in age you are definitely going to want to provide him with a high protein diet if you have not being doing so already. Contemporary research (even Purina’s website says this!) shows that senior dogs have an increased need for protein, unlike what was previously thought.
Variety is the spice of life for humans and dogs alike. I’m sure you would not want to eat the same old food day in day out your whole life and your dog probably wouldn’t want to either! So yes, changing brands or even just proteins can keep your dog healthy and provide him with a nice variety in his diet. Most of us on here have a few brands that we keep in a rotational diet that we change to every bag. I’m limiting my dogs brands for the moment because he has skin problems I need to address, but I’m still trying to find 2-3 foods that have wide ranges of proteins to rotate with. Both cats and dogs also benefit from a moisture rich diet, which kibble lacks.
If your cats were free fed and ate a food high in carbs that could have contributed or even caused the diabetes. I’ve always had overweight cats, however my current cat and my dog are both very healthy weights.However, I know your cats are a moot point.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by
Pitlove.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by Pitlove.
Jonathan- Very understandable to be concerned about the quality of the ingredients and the integrity of the company. Most of us here feel the exact same way! Orijen is argued as the best dry kibble out on the market. Champion Pet Foods are an award winning Canadian company with an excellent track record and regional sourced ingredients. Very solid choice of food. Fromm same thing. Family owned and operated out of Wisconson for over 100 years, locally sourced ingredients including their vitamin pack (according to a rep). Fromm makes a grain-free Lamb and Lentils recipe so that could be something to look into. Orijen does have lamb I believe in their Tundra formula, but that is also along with many other proteins as well, most a little more on the novel side. Orijen Puppy, Adult and Senior is chicken based and grain-free, where as Fromm’s chicken based foods as far as I’m aware are grain-inclusive.
Hi Lisa- While ToTW has not had recent recalls the manufacturer of the food (Diamond) is notorious for their recalls. That is something important to keep in mind while feeding TotW. Best to keep other choices avaiable to you and your dogs in CASE they do have another recall under Diamond.
Looking for a highly digestive protein dry for Senior Westie with Renal disease.
I am currently fostering a 14-1/2-year-old toy poodle (Coco) who was dumped at a local rescue last week. He was matted terribly, he has a lot of teeth but all rotten, a little arthritis in his back and is underweight by about 2 pounds. Coco is actually in hospice care and will stay with me until his death. He is totally deaf, but sees fine and gets around fine.
My question is what is a good soft food I can feed him (I’ve just been soaking kibble until soft as that’s all I have at the moment and I just got him 2 days ago).
Also, he has anxiety issues when I go out the door. As soon as my door closes, he barks/whines. Can any recommend a natural product to help with his anxiety. As long as he can see me, he is okay. If he was a younger dog with hearing, I would train him for coming and going, but I don’t know how to do this with this old man.
Thank you!
Suggestions for dry foods with the highest digestible protein for my renal senior Westie.
With a couple exceptions, senior dog foods are inferior. Most are too low in protein for seniors; they need a higher protein food. Also, alot of seniors have arthritis going on and grains can be inflammatory so I prefer grainfree.
From what I have read on dog nutrition, a dog doesn’t need special senior food. In fact, often those foods are lower in protein and senior dogs need more protein. I stick with high protein all stage dog food. Plus, I make dog food to supplement the bought. A senior dog may just need less volume. Mine is doing splendidly on Instinct dog food. He is close to 11.
Hi Paul, can you add in a extra meal like wet tin food as a meal or a cooked meal like chicken & rice or chicken & mashed potato is filling & feed 4 smaller meals thru the day… I feed at 7am 1 cup kibble, 10am he has a treat Canidae life stages biscuit, then 12pm sometimes 1/2 cup of soaked kibble or 1/2 can of wet tin food, if I haven’t had time to soak the kibble…. 5pm 1 cup of kibble that I soak in water till kibble is soft then I drain all the water very well & put thru a blender & 7.30pm 1/2 can wet tin or 1/2 cup soaked kibble again, then 9pm another Canidae biscuit… this seems to keep Patch content, I found when I feed more smaller meals on time & I soak his kibble, he stopped whinging & wanting food….
Have you tried Canidae Lamb & Rice it has 457Kcals/cup… where the Solid Gold Hunerflocken has only 365Kcals/cup…Canidae also has their wet tin foods but watch the fat % as some wet tins are high at 7.50% fat…. there’s their wet tin “Platinum” 4.5% fat for seniors also the Platinum kibble but only has 342Kcals/cup
http://www.canidae.com.au/dog-food/canidae-lamb-rice
I have a 15 year old small breed dog that is constantly hungry too. I took him to the vet for a senior workup and his blood work came back better than mine.
Anyhow, I suspect he has a little dementia going on, he sometimes gets up at night and goes to the kitchen, barks at the fridge.
The vet told me these small dogs often have some spinal degeneration issues which can cause them pain/discomfort. He does have these episodes of agitation…..but often he just needs to go out. The vet prescribed something for his discomfort that he gets twice a day and this has helped. He is calmer now.
I feed him 4 small meals per day, a mix of wet food, kibble soaked overnight in water in the fridge doubles in size so he thinks he’s getting more, maybe a bite of cooked chicken.
I add a little water too, as I rarely see him go to his water dish.
He did well on Wysong Senior, but is getting Nutrisca now (wet and dry)
The other thing I give him is a combination low dose of a supplement and otc med at bedtime (approved by his vet).
I am reluctant to tell you what I use, I would prefer that you talk to your vet and have him prescribe something that will help keep your dog comfortable. Your dog just had a physical that ruled out medical, so it shouldn’t be a big deal if you leave a message for your vet to call you back to discuss options.
Some dogs tend to get confused and agitated as they age.
Our 13 yo pug Bella is deaf/almost blind. Won’t sleep at night. Has had bloodwork done and urinealysis. all is great. still has great appetite but is always begging for food. Her food is Solid Gold Hunerflocken with Lamb. Is there a better food for senior dogs that may quench her appetite.
One senior food I will recommend is Orijen Senior. It’s only of the only ones I’ve seen lately that is correctly formulated for a senior dog.
Pitlove and InkedMarie,
Thank you so much for help, I am learning so much re food. I feel more confident finding the right food for my to senior, active dogs. I will not buy anymore senior or weight management food for slightly chubby one. More protein should get his engery back and off the sofa….
Pitlove is correct; senior dogs need more high quality protein & most senior foods have less. For your dog with weight issues, look at Wellness Core reduced fat and Annamaet Lean. I also second no vet food.
I’ll also note that a senior dogs protein requirements increase and not decrease as many old-school vet’s will tell you. This has been found through much more current and up to date research. Restricting protein is not needed unless a dog is in very very late stages of kidney disease. Again, research has been done and others on this site with K/D dogs can tell you this.
Senior dog foods are often low in fat which is good but often far too low in protein. This means the carbs will increase and if you overfeed they can gain weight. If you have one that is prone to weight gain, fed high protein, moderate fat and low carb and cut back on how much they are eating and you will see them drop a few pounds. Do that until they are at their ideal weight and then increase food enough to keep them at the ideal weight.
What do you think of Royal Canine dog food? Have you ever analyzed it?
I have two Basenji, 11 years old so I need a good food for senior dogs. One has sensitive stomach, the other tends to gain weight. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Hi all! I work with a pug rescue and we recently pulled a bonded pair from a shelter. Its a pug and his side-kick, a 4-lb senior yorkie that has no teeth and a huge tongue! They are both sweet and adorable. I foster a lot and mainly have dogs with medical issues so at any given time in my home I have many many foods going from home-made to super restricted diets, etc.
This dog is by far the smallest that I have ever fostered. We just did his first meal and I soaked and mashed dry food in water and he was able to eat it alright. But, I think there might be some easier alternatives out there. I was thinking maybe Grandma Lucy’s rehydrated food but the chunks might be too large. Just wondering for anyone with experience with a teeny, tiny dog, what specific brand/type of food you might recommend? I don’t want to try too many things and upset his stomach.
Thanks in advance!
This is the GA for the Hill’s Metabolic and Mobility:
Average Nutrient and Caloric Content
Dry 3210 kcal/kg (291 kcal/cup†)
Nutrient
Dry Matter1
%
Protein 28.0
Fat 14.6
Carbohydrate (NFE) 36.2
Crude Fiber 14.9
Calcium 0.95
Phosphorus 0.7
Sodium 0.37
Potassium 0.88
Magnesium 0.159
Carnitine 400 ppm
Vitamin C 324 mg/kg
Vitamin E 741 IU/kg
Chondroitin Sulfate 1174 mg/kg (ppm)
Glucosamine 738 mg/kg (ppm
The protein is highER than most of their formulas and the carbs are low which is why it is meant to help your dog lose weight. I agree that the ingredients are sub-par. Prehaps look for a food with better ingredients but very very close %’s on the GA. This food also contains Chondroitin and Glucosamine for the joints. I’m not sure if a senior formula would contain those ingredients but be high enough protein and low enough carbs to help your girl lose weight. If you switch to something that is better quality and the same %’s on the GA make sure you add a joint supplement.
I have heard really good things about this product: http://www.naturvet.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=39&category_id=7&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=4
Edit: Remember a “weight loss” food does not work if they are taking in more calories than they are burning. If your senior dog is less active make sure to decrease the amount they are eating as well to aid in weight loss. Also senior dogs have a increased need for quality animal protein, not a decrease. Perhaps consider looking into a raw diet for her?
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This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by Pitlove.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by Pitlove.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by Pitlove.
Check the search engine (home page on this site) for bladder stones, struvite, calcium oxalate, those are the most common types of stones for dogs, maybe you can find some helpful information…..but it is best to run things by the vet before making changes.
Gradual weight gain is better, you don’t want rapid weight gain, it will stress her system.
Best of luck
PS: As your vet will confirm, dogs that have a tendency to make bladder stones have to be on a special diet the rest of their lives, this is a serious condition and it just doesn’t go away.
Ask him if you can skip the x-rays and testing urine PH as long as she is urinating normally and having no difficulty? Ask him the warning signs to look for.
Ask the vet if Wysong senior kibble soaked in water overnight with water added and a lean meat topper such as cooked chicken breast chopped up is okay? That’s what my guy likes.
I would comply with the prescription food for now, unless your vet advises differently. If your vet okays that you can add something tasty to it, it might make a big difference.
And don’t forget, water, water, and more water added to the diet. Ask the vet ….but I believe this helps big time.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by
Anonymous.
Hi, tal
I have 3 dogs. One senior small breed, 1 allergy girl small breed, and a young terrier.
I had to find a food that agrees with all three.
I am pleased with Nutrisca salmon and chickpea kibble (no grains or potato). But I add a little cooked chicken or lean meat and a splash of water. I order it through Chewy.com.
I get a 15 pound bag and divide it up into airtight containers or freezer bags and store it in the freezer or fridg to keep it fresh. I think the 15 pound bag should last us 4-6 weeks, we’ll see.
I also add a fish oil capsule and other supplements depending on the dog’s individual needs. Good luck.
Been there and back. I just took my 15 year old guy in for a geriatric checkup, his labwork is better than mine. He does have some age related issues.
He has no symptoms of UTIs or stones, I watch him urinate, normal flow, amount, no difficulty. So the vet said no need for x-rays or testing this and that, UNLESS HE HAS SYMPTOMS.
He had bladder stones, struvite and oxalate, emergency surgery in 2011. I put him on that food you mentioned, it was okay….but then I always added a little cooked chicken to it.
The vets wanted to x-ray him every 3 months, I went along with it a couple of times, when they saw a couple of small stones had returned and offered no treatment? I didn’t follow up.
He prefers Wysong senior or Nutrisca salmon and chickpea, wet food is probably better. However, I use kibble and soak it overnight in water, plus add water and a bite of cooked chicken, 4 small meals per day, offer frequent bathroom breaks. Water, and frequent bathroom breaks are very important, keep the bladder flushed.
If you click on my user name you will find posts/threads related to bladder stones, or use the search engine.
I am reluctant to discuss supplements anymore, because it depends on the type of stones your dog has as to what might be helpful. Therefore it is best to ask your vet for recommendations.
PS: Next time it says you are not logged in , try the refresh button.
Hi Ron-
Your dog is very lucky that you saved her! Sounds like she is living the good life. 20lbs overweight is probably hard on her though. You could definitely cut back on the treats! The dog food calculator reads that she should be getting about 950 calories a day for a dog with typical activity that should weigh 40lbs. Do you know how many calories are in a cup of her kibble or the cup of wet food that you are feeding have?
Yes, think about having a full senior blood panel done at the vets on Monday. Sometimes older dogs can have thyroid issues that make it very difficult to lose weight. Let us know how the vet visit goes.
I’m new to Dog Advisor and want to find out a replacement for the I/D can food my vet put my senior dog on due to loose stool. I don’t think the food is very good so I’m trying to find something better. She was always a “chow hound” and never had any problems with anything she ate before. Most of her life she has been on the raw diet but it seems that is causing the problem now. Of course, the vet recommended a dry food loaded in corn which I never give her and won’t now. She just turned 12 and has always been very active (Wire Fox Terrier) but has just recently gone blind on me. She has lost some weight, still eats pretty well but I want to find a better food for her. I’d appreciate any help or thoughts. Thank you.
Hi Kari-
I disagree that a puppy and 5 year old dog can’t eat the same food. You can absolutely feed the same food to both you would just maybe not feed the same amounts. Idk if you consider your dog a senior dog at 5, but if you do senior dogs need MORE protein than puppies and adult dogs contrary to popular belief. Senior diets are often very very low in protein however, a puppy food wouldn’t be. I never care about what the front of a bag says. My pitbull is currently eating a food marketed for “small breeds” lol. its just smaller kibble size and hes fine with it. I would have no problem feeding him puppy, adult or senior food as long as the ingredients were up to par for me and the nutrient profile was correct.
Take a look at the list Dori linked. Those are all foods that have proper calcium levels for large breed puppies like your golden doodle. and please make sure you don’t overfeed as that, along with improper calcium/phos levels can cause many skeletal disorders like pano, OCD and hip dysplasia.
Thanks for the update bigthree. thats great to hear! Orijen is an amazing food. My dog is a big fan and so am I. They have a few different formulas you can try. The Puppy, Adult and Senior are pretty much all very similar with chicken being the main protein source, however the Regional Red, Six Fish and Tundra have a lot more exotic proteins in them. I havent tried Champions other line Acana yet, however I plan to.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 6 months ago by Pitlove.
I recently took my dog in for a skin issue and after a skin scrape, urine test and Senior Blood work, I am told she has Pacreatitis.
I am very confused as to how she got pancreatitis, as she is on a raw diet. I also give her yogurt in her food .
I recently ordered the new Orijin Tundra Dry. I wanted to do a Raw and Good quality kibble. I thought this would help with cost of Raw.
I have not started her on the Tundra yet because of the diagnosis.
This is her information below:
Diets I’ve used:
Primal Turkey Sardine
Primal Duck
Stella and Chewys Duck Duck Goose
Natures Instinct Rabbit
Natures Instinct Venison
Sojos Turkey Complete
She is a 68 lb White Boxer. She went in for a skin check. She has been itching and loosing hair on her sides, behind ears, down legs, her belly. Has bumps and redness. She has irritated skin and is scratching. She has an odor when wet. I thought it was a yeast issue.
She went on prednisone and antibiotics from first Vet. I made a consult with a different Vet 2 weeks later. He did a skin scrape that was negative for mites etc. Senior blood work and urine were fine except the pancreas. Did second test to confirm. I was told it was pancreatitis. They put her on 2 more types of antibiotics and a topical steroid/conditioner for her skin.
Suggests bland diet for 2 weeks and retest.
Very confused with diagnosis. She started with the skin issue, then started drinking a lot, urinating more. She has no change in appetite, but had a bout of diarrhea.
She had a few accidents in the house and got into the trash a couple of times. These are things she never has done. When she got into the trash, I do not believe she got anything high in fat. But I’m not sure.
I recently lost my male Boxer in Feb and she has taken it hard, as well as myself.
She is 7
Anymore advice/recommendations would be great!
My dog is a 10.5 year old male chihuahua-mix, about 12lbs.
I’m considering adding a supplement to his diet. Our vet briefly mentioned we could add glucosamine to his diet, but I didn’t follow up on it.
Let me tell you more about my dog: I adopted him and his brother when he was 3. He was pretty fat, but over the years he’s gotten nice and trim. He was very active, we a lot walk every day (but not in winter!), and up until last summer he would come jogging and hiking with me. He always ate kibble, but usually the better quality “holistic”/”grain-free” kind. He was eating Acana the past couple of years. And then, just as I had switched to a “senior” formula, we found a bladder stone 🙁 Since his surgery a few months ago, he’s been on a vet prescription diet (Urinary S/O).
Though he’s made a great recovery, a couple weeks ago he injured his paw, and while the vet did not find anything serious, he suggested adding glucosamine to his diet. I’m scared of taking him hiking until I can be sure he’s not in any pain.
Issue number 2 is the shedding. This dog takes shedding to a whole new level. Its not caused by any health problems according to the vet, he just sheds. I’m wondering if omega-3 might help?
So- I’m looking for any recommendations for a supplement that might combine glucosamine and “joint-stuff” with omega-3 “fur-stuff”. And of course, it has to not interfere with his prescription diet which he needs to continue, so no food changes, just an additive. Does such a thing exist? Or will it have to be two separate products? Or maybe a product that has a lot of good things including glucosamine and omega-3?
“This is so confusing….the more research I do, the less I know what to feed my itchy baby”.
IMO, you are over thinking it. Just find a limited ingredient food that agrees with her, keep it simple. And make an appointment with a dermatologist….that is what I would do.
Food and supplements are not cures, chronic conditions need the expertise of a specialist.
Especially a senior dog (over 7 years old).
Maybe try a limited ingredient food? My dog that has allergies/food sensitivities does well on Nutrisca salmon and chickpea, my old guy with a history of bladder stones does well on Wysong senior (soaked in water overnight).
I also cook up a little lean meat (chicken or beef) and add some to the kibble, add water to the kibble even if you soak it first.
Or consider homemade http://www.homeovet.net/dynamic/php/downloads/dog-c8470f2c75dbe4b683205c3919ee2310/dog_diet_complete.pdf
Sorry to repost, but I never got an answer and I’m still really curious if anyone has info about this. I posted this one page ago
Hey guys,
was reading through the front few pages for some help with a question about pano. i kind of got most of my answer but i guess i still have some questions..heres the story
i work at petco as some of you know already and i had a customer today whos 5 mo lab has already been diagnoised with pano. her vet recommended a senior dog food that was low in protein because she explained that high protein can cause over growth in large breed puppies. i thought that sounded weird but i really didnt want to completely be rude and go against her vet (since im in a professional setting) but i did mention to her what i know from Hound Dog Mom about calcium levels etc. i read through some of the articles HDM posted and saw that the protein theory was debunked but some vets still hold on to that. why is that? lack of education about recent research or what? SHOULD a dog that already HAS pano be on low protein? or is that not true either? i guess i’m wondering if the low protein diet her vet recommended was because the dog already has pano and its no longer a matter of preventing it
Senior dog food is one of the worst things to happen to the commercial dog food industry. basically senior dog formulas came about after protein started getting this bad reputation that it was making less active dogs fat (which is usually most senior dogs). However, what people didn’t udnerstand was that it was not “protein” that was the culprit it was the TYPE of protein. Proteins like corn can not be fully digested by dogs and thus end up breaking down into sugar and end up getting stored as fat creating the weight gain.
I found an article for you by a holistic vet that most of us on the site are big fans of for her all natural and holistic outlook on pet nutrition. She discusses the nutrition needs of senior dogs in this article and discusses the flaws in commercial dog food marketed towards senior pets.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/05/05/surprising-findings-from-tufts-study-of-37-senior-dog-foods.aspx
I went and read over the ingredients to what I think is the senior formula your lab is on. is this it? http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/product-details.aspx?pet=dog&pid=58
if it is, my first problem with it is that the protein is too low. senior dogs have a higher protein requirement to fight off catabolic responses in their bodies. secondly what is making you think she is still hungry? if in fact she is she might not be able to digest the grains and turn them into useful nutrients and energy. For me personally the only line I like from wellness is wellness CORE. it is the most species appropriate for any healthy dog with no known medical conditions. the gas could be from the protein source. i know someone whos dog has gas with pork so maybe for her it’s chicken.
Hey guys,
was reading through the front few pages for some help with a question about pano. i kind of got most of my answer but i guess i still have some questions..heres the story
i work at petco as some of you know already and i had a customer today whos 5 mo lab has already been diagnoised with pano. her vet recommended a senior dog food that was low in protein because she explained that high protein can cause over growth in large breed puppies. i thought that sounded weird but i really didnt want to completely be rude and go against her vet (since im in a professional setting) but i did mention to her what i know from Hound Dog Mom about calcium levels etc. i read through some of the articles HDM posted and saw that the protein theory was debunked but some vets still hold on to that. why is that? lack of education about recent research or what? SHOULD a dog that already HAS pano be on low protein? or is that not true either? i guess i’m wondering if the low protein diet her vet recommended was because the dog already has pano and its no longer a matter of preventing it
My 8 year old lab is low energy and is always a few pounds overweight. She is also always hungry! I have her on the Wellness Senior. I’d like to switch her because she just seems too hungry and it is giving her terrible gas. She is also eating her own feces. Yuck. Nothing seems to be wrong health wise. She has done this off and on in her life. I have tried most additives and correctives. Just seems worse on this particular dog food. Any suggestions on a food that would leave her more satisfied and less gassy would be great. Thanks!
Cori
I would be inclined to listen to your vet, maybe ask him to explain his rationale.
Canned food tends to be greasy, I use it occasionally as a topper. But, not so much anymore, as my dog with a sensitive stomach tends to vomit after eating it. Plus it spoils quickly.
I soak the kibble in water overnight in the fridg for my senior, it then has the consistency of wet food. That seems to agree with him the best.
I just noticed a clear string of slime hanging between my dog’s legs as she was walking outside. I am in the middle of changing her food so I am not sure if this could be a side effect of that? She was just in the vet’s office a couple weeks ago for a blood test and everything was fine. I have had her off and on Proin recently because of her incontinence. I started her on a natural supplement a few days ago so I don’t know if that is effecting her at all or not. I know a UTI could pop up at any time but could discharge also just be a normal issue for a senior dog?
Hello All. My still active, not over weight, 10 and a half year old Pit/Boxer, Nefertiti, is going through some changes & I am Hoping to get some advice on what to feed her. She was on Wellness Lamb & Barley until I discovered DFA, & I have since changed her to Wellness Core Original because of it having a Five Star Rating, however, she doesn’t seem to like it as much/that much, & I would like to change it. I thought that maybe she wasn’t eating as much/as often because she was getting more nutrients from the Core, but I think that we can find a food that she enjoys & can get all the needed nutrition as well. Decisions. . . Decisions.
Recent Happenings. . .Upon taking Nef to the vet, we fear that the swollen lymph nodes under both sides of her chin, & her hind legs may be lymphoma. She had a biopsy on Friday, May 8th & we are expecting the results soon-Possibly today.
Now, I have no basis, proof, or reason to believe (really) that the swelling (whatever it may be) is a result of switching her to the Wellness Core, but in the thread of what I interpret DFA to be at it’s core, I am mentioning that the swelling occurred only AFTER doing so. Again, I don’t want to sound like I am blaming it on Wellness, I am merely stating the timeline in which these events happened.
After a lot of research, I am leaning toward a kibble that is HIGH IN PROTEINS (that are easily bio-available), but is also LOW IN CARBS, possibly supplemented by some Home prepared meals. Orijen is my first choice, but faced with the daunting reality that costly treatments (such as chemotherapy) may be in the future, I am Hoping to find something that doesn’t exceed the price range of Wellness, but will also achieve a balance of her Health & Happiness.
These are some foods that I am considering & I would Appreciate & Value any insight into this uncharted ground of mine & Nefertiti’s continuing Journey>>>
Thank You For Your Time,
-James
-Evo Grain Free Senior
-Merrick Grain Free
-Castor & Pollux Natural Ultramix Grain Free
