[Laurie F]

Hi Whitney,

I think the following link is posted here or somewhere on Dog Food Advisor… did you have a chance to review it? http://www.vermontveterinarycardiology.com/Medvet%20–%20Cincinnati%20%20Heart%20Friendly%20Low%20Sodium%20Dog%20Diets.pdf

Riley (female miniature schnauzer 11+ y/o now) has always been a bit of a finicky eater BEFORE CHF, so I have jumped around a bit with various lower sodium dog kibble that she will eat. Right now, she’s eating Wellness Adult Deboned Chicken Brown Rice/Peas (53mg sodium.) I also entice her appetite by adding a little bit of lean (broiled or baked) ground turkey or boiled chicken breast that I (minimally) shred up into a moistened kibble. Riley also likes Hill’s Ideal Balance chicken. I usually buy a quality food from Chewy and whatever I order for Riley. Tutzie also must eat, and Thank God, Tutz will eat anything. BUT, if I do order a food that Riley will not touch, Chewy will take it backBoth dogs have ideal weight. I have found that Senior dog foods do not always mean they are low in sodium. Even though my dogs are ‘senior’, I am not necessarily going to buy Senior foods. For me, I really need to buy good kibble that’s lower in sodium that Riley will actually eat. She lost a good 1/2 to 3/4 pound after she was diagnosed and it was hell getting that weight back on for the first 3 months. I have a friend of a friend (who referred me to my current Cardiologist) whose rescue was diagnosed at age 12 with CHF. Her dog is now over 16 and still going on not only her normal walks, but also hikes with her. (her dog is also a terribly finicky eater who gets an occasional hamburger!)

I assume your dogs are on Vetmedin and in particular Lasix (or Salix) for the edema? What are the ages and size of your dogs? What have you been feeding them? Is one or both a finicky eater?

Best regards,
Laurie

[Jo C]

Well she isn’t in pain though I was just thinking to add just for the long run since she is a senior and slower now. She happen to sprain her leg twice and vet gave me pain meds and anti-inflammatory meds and she got better. But I don’t know i’m just being that MOM trying to prevent anything. lol

[Jo C]

Hi,

I have a senior gal that I want to start adding a supplement specifically for her bones. Of course her bones are more fragile and just want to add more comfort for her especially for our walks. She is approx. roughly around 40 pounds from our last vet visit which she needs to go in soon for a check up. Any suggestions?

[Karen D]

anon101 thanks for the speedy reply & info…..We see the vet every month for heart check so that is not the issue. From all sites I checked the manufacturer is at fault regarding the shortage….some sites say end of Jan. some are saying middle of Feb. before they receive a supply….My Vet was out when I called yesterday so I will speak to her today when I pick up the half bottle and find out what I am supposed to do when that runs out, 25 pills is <2weeks worth @ 2X dosing. I spoke to California Pet Pharmacy late yesterday & they do have a 5mg in stock that I can cut in half…..just hoping my vet with send them a script as she is very adamant about not buying online.

P.S. My vet has been giving 😉 me the donated & samples of Vetmedin as we are seniors on a fixed income.

[anonymous]

Unless the dog has a specific medical condition that requires him to be on a soft diet. Such as having a sensitive stomach, being endentulous, and some seniors, etc.
If the veterinarian that has examined the dog recommends a soft diet. Then by all means, soak away! Otherwise, dry food as a base with a topper and a splash of water works best, in my experience.
Healthy dogs don’t need supplements……IMO
You really should consult your vet for specific concerns pertinent to your dog.
PS: What is wrong with your dog that you are so worried?

[InkedMarie]

Boone does have a heart murmur that hasn’t caused any problems. He’s had a few dentals in the past almost 11yrs & was neutered. He hasnt had bloodwork for 2 or 3 yrs, need to check the paperwork but if we opt for a dental, I would do it, just in case.

I dont know if you remember that we had a senior that we had named Katie…she was the obese girl with a ton of healthy issues that we adopted (not to be confused with Gemma, the last senior sheltie). She was 13 & developed a hemangiopericytoma, darn thing grew overnight. Had to remove it & she did fine. Scary though, to have her put under.

[anonymous]

@ InkedMarie,
As long as the pre-op labs are within normal limits and the heart sounds good, I wouldn’t worry too much. I would be more concerned about infection/pain and all that jazz that can happen with untreated periodontal disease.
My small breed had 2 surgeries at age 11, one was for a late in life neuter due to a testicular tumor. I declined the labs and signed the waiver.
The other was for emergency surgery due to bladder stones, labs were slightly off but it wasn’t a concern as this is often the case with seniors. He also had an asymptomatic heart murmur. Both times he came through fine and lived 5 more years.
They have dental specialists and geriatric specialists for dogs now too, if it would make you feel better to seek one out.

[Susan]

Hi Allie,
The stomach/bowel is the hardest to diagnose, bloods normally all come back good nothing wrong, X rays are a waste of money, I’ve done Ultra Scan same every thing looked great, I recommend having an Endoscope & Biopsies done, you will get some answers, make sure vet does about 2 small biopsies, cause when they looked down Patches esophagus into stomach everything looked great, I’m so glad we had the biopsies as well, 3 days later results said he has Helicobacter-Pylori & IBD, the Helicobacter makes you feel very sick & vomiting… I’ve had it 3 times when I was younger…
Is your boy on any ant-acid medications?? My boy was put on Losec-(Prolosec) & this has helped heaps & rotating between 2-3 kibbles this way he doesn’t start getting use to the same ingredients in his kibble, I rotate between a Fish kibble & a Lamb kibble both grain free then I feed a lower fat-8% grain kibble “Canidae” Platinum is also very easy to digest Patch eats the Canidae when I start to see he’s becoming unwell with his stomach pain, Kcals are 342Kcals Per cup.. fat-8% protein-20% carbs-49% carbs are a bit high but fat & protein is nice & low, so stomach, pancreas & liver doesn’t have to work hard…. you may find a low Kcal kibble with less carbs. the Platinum is like a vet diet but has better ingredients, Canidae use human grade ingredients.. http://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products
Have look at “Taste Of The Wild”, Sierra Mountain, Roasted Lamb the Kcals are 338 Kcals per cup, Protein-25%, fat-15%max, Carbs-38%, this was the only food Patch got better on & didn’t start vomiting, eating grass & do sloppy poos after eating it for 3-4 weeks, we tried a few of the Wellness formulas, he did well for the first 3-4 weeks then he was vomiting & doing yellow sloppy poos, the “Wellness Simple” Salmon & Potato the Kcals are too high at 446Kcals per cup, I have to stay under 370 Kcals per cup for Patch….Higher Kcal kibble are more dense, so more work on the stomach & pancreas..
To find the Kcals per cup look on the kibbles web page find the kibble you want & look under “Feeding Guidelines” it should be there, sometimes they don’t put the Kcals per CUP they put Kcals per kilo…
also are you feeding 3-4 smaller meals a day? this helps…

Wellpet make Wellness, Holistic Select & Eagle Pack, brands.
have a look the “Holistic Select” Adult/puppy Salmon, Anchovy & Sardines Grain Free, Kcals are 341 Kcals per cup.. Carbs 32%. or they have single novel protein formulas, Duck Meal & rice or Lamb Meal & rice….but I found the Salmon & Potato grain free to be the better one http://www.holisticselect.com/
After 4 years of trying most kibbles I now feed the “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb the “Holistic Select” Salmon, Anchovy & Sardines & the “Canidae Platinum” all in my cupboard in air tight containers, then the kibble bags are properly sealed & put in another plastic bag & big air tight container so they all stay fresh in a cool room… I also ask Patch some mornings which one (kibble) do you want to eat & let him smell the 2 different brand kibbles, he always picks his TOTW Roasted Lamb kibble, so that kibble mustn’t make his feel sick or give him his pain….
Maybe take back the bag of Wellness Simple bag, its a money back kibble, I always just say to the lady he won’t eat it, its easier that way then going into it’s making him vomit & do sloppy poos, when I did email Wellness the lady said it can take anywhere from 1 day to 6 week for food sensitivities to show symptoms but I think its something more with the Wellness cause Patch did the same on the Wellness Whitefish & Sweet Potato & the Wellness Senior….Yet he can eat the Holistic Select Salmon & Potatoes & is doing real well See if they have the TOTW Roasted Lamb or Holistic Select, Adult/Puppy, Salmon grain free there & swap over, the TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb has limited ingredients & once you introduce 2 different kibbles you can feed 1 kibble for a few days then just go straight onto the other kibble once they have been introduced, rotating also makes his stomach stronger….4 years ago I could never just give a new kibble, it took me 3 weeks to introduce it, now I introduce the new kibble when I’m 1/2 way introducing & poos are firm then I just feed the new kibble but that has taken 3-4 yrs also a good dog probiotic Purina Fortiifloria is suppose to be very good, they tested 10 dog probiotics only 3 probiotics were good & had live cultures, the Purina’s Fortifloria was one of the good ones..

[anonymous]

This is what worked for my senior dog that had a sensitive stomach, presoak the kibble with water in the fridge overnight, store in a tightly closed container (about a 2 day supply). Give about 1/4 cup (or less if he is under 12 pounds or gains weight easily) mixed with a tablespoon of topper/soft food and a splash of water. Dogs love routine, so start whenever your breakfast time is, say 6am, then a snack maybe half of the morning amount of food (or at least a bite) at about 10 am (if possible), 2pm small amount again, always with a splash of water. Then suppertime a regular meal like the am one, then at bedtime 10-11pm give him a bite but no added water and a bathroom break, of course.
Put the food down, if he doesn’t eat, pick it up and store in the fridg, offer at the next mealtime. Always have fresh water available, bathroom breaks at least every 4 hours (if possible) and after meals.
Do not leave kibble down……unless your vet tells you something different. It’s okay if he skips a meal or two.
PS: Start brushing his teeth once a day, small breeds have lousy teeth, see YouTube for how to videos.
If you have to leave him unattended during the day, just leave a couple of small dog biscuits, not the bowl of kibble.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 2 months ago by anonymous.

[Mary N]

If you go with senior dog food try and find something that has a great amount of protein. If you want your Labrador to keep on developing and getting stronger then he is going to need an extra amount of protein.

Like someone said above, I would also suggest that you include some raw diet plans as that would increase the amount of protein your Labrador can use to build more muscle and overall more mass. But stick with lean protein sources like beef for example

[David H]

I am a huge believer in Fromm Foods. I currently feed Whitefish and Patato to my older dogs. I do like to add some fresh raw hamburger to it also. I lost my 15+ yr old Golden in October. She had some kidney issues from age 10 on. I feel she outlived what the vets told me because of the great low phos. in the Fromm Whitefish and the addition of 80/20 hamburger. The difference I have found between senior and regular adult food it is Calories. If you watch what you feed them i would not worry about a senior food. The joint supplements if high quality can be a huge benefit.

[anonymous]

Give the vet a call and ask him to call you back when he has a minute.
I would stop all supplements, keep his diet as simple as possible. He is a senior at 8 years old, break the piggybank and get some lab work done (if you haven’t done so already).
Lab values tell a lot and can identify ailments in the early stages, when they will respond to treatment. I would stop the raw. Instead, get a quality kibble and gradually mix the cooked beef/rice mixture into it, add a splash of water to meals. Maybe presoak the kibble in H2O if he doesn’t frequent his water bowl. Hope this helps.
Also, http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=raw

PS: I would continue the bland diet for your dog, boiled rice and hamburger, until stable.
I would add a splash of water to meals.

[Amy B]

Hello!
I’m having a lot of the same issues with our GSD, who we recently adopted after he finished his time as a MWD. He was raised on Hill’s Active, which is a senior formula and not ideal for a growing dog let alone a MWD. Either way, I’ve tried to transition him to many of the same brands without success. I’m looking for something lower in protein and I think grain free may be a challenge. I’m going to look at Fromm, which has protein in the lower 20’s.
Thank you for your thoughts.
Amy

[anonymous]

Check chewy dot com for prices and reviews.

PS: I always go back to Nutrisca, as my allergy dog does well on it (in conjunction with treatment from a dermatologist) but my terrier likes it, and even my senior (peke) that recently passed away at age 16 did well on it. They all had normal lab values during their routine checkups. I have been using this product about 5 years now. My terrier also gets Dogswell Vitality kibble mixed in with good results, same company as Nutrisca.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by anonymous.

[anonymous]

Another thought, if the dog is in good health (according to a veterinarian that has examined him recently). If he is a senior or has certain health issues, the following won’t apply.

He may not be getting enough exercise. I find that walking a dog for at last 1 hour a day can go a long way in calming them, less hyper, less barking.
Or, find an activity the dog is passionate about, a game of fetch, swimming, jogging with his owner….

[Linda L]

Hi There, I mostly have questions and here is a little info. I have one dog bought from a puppy mill (didn’t realize it at the time) been a sickly dog most of life no major problems teeth, ear infections major allergies cateracts in one eye. arthritus both knees. Buddy Bichon Pappy. The other dog bichon shitz shu Bailey Has very few health problems gets ear infections from time to time and is developing arthritis stiff legs and he can nil afford anymore weight at 27 lbs The problem is I need a grain free Kibble with no chicken either for seniors or weight control. so far I haven’t found anything in canada. Both dogs are 10 years old weather permitting we walk every day Any info will be greatly appreciated. thanks Lue 48.
Would be willing to try homemade dog food if anyone has a good recipe.

[anonymous]

I feed twice a day, measured amounts with a splash of water added, for best results.
Not only is it better for health and weight management, but, you will be able to predict when they will have a bowel movement and need to urinate. In between scheduled feedings they should be walked , ideally for at least 20 minutes a couple of times a day. Offered bathroom breaks at least every 4 hours to prevent the development of bladder stones.

No, you can’t train a dog to eat only when it is hungry, some dogs will eat until they vomit.
Just my opinion, based on experience and knowledge.
PS: Consider getting a dome bowl designed to slow down her eating at mealtimes.
Consult a veterinarian that has examined your dog, if you have specific concerns, or your dog has been diagnosed with a medical condition or is a senior. A veterinarian that knows your dog’s history will be the best person to advise you.
I stick with one or two kibbles that agree with the dog, as a base, I do use a variety of toppers though.

[Mary B]

We have a GSD that is a picky eater and won’t eat dry food by itself. She is a rescue and during her first year, eating or I should say “not getting to eat” was a problem. She is eating a Merrick dog food now that she loves, but it is causing her to gain weight, even though we feed her a reduced portion size. The Vet is on us, telling us she will break down in her senior years if she doesn’t get 10-20 lbs. off, but she is getting less than the daily recommendation as it is now. She doesn’t like people food, won’t eat dog treats, so she truely is getting only what her daily feed is. We are at a loss as to what to feed her. Any ideas are welcome!
Thanks!

[anonymous]

Poor appetite is often a red flag, a sign that something may be medically wrong with the dog.
I would take him to the vet for a checkup and lab work, plus, whatever else your vet thinks is indicated. Once you diagnose what is wrong with him (or rule out), you can decide with the guidance of your vet what food would be best. Your dog is a senior, therefore vulnerable to all kinds of conditions that may be treatable. At the least, your vet should be able to advise you as how to keep him comfortable.
Do you want to eat when you don’t feel well? Didn’t think so.
PS: If your dog has had a full checkup within the last 6 months, just a call to the vet for advice may be helpful….
BTW those freeze dried liver treats and such may be high in fat and sodium, discuss with your vet.

[Lisbeth O]

Hello all –

I am new to the board so please forgive me if I am not in the right place for this. I just got off the phone with Orijens to get the carb count for my diabetic dog. They don’t list ash on their website to calculate into the carb count. These numbers would be accurate for their senior and original formula. I hope this helps you update your numbers or if I am misunderstanding something, please do let me know. This information is critical for a diabetic dog.

Crude protein (min.) 38
Crude fat (min.) 15
Crude fiber (max.) 8
Moisture (max.) 12
Ash 8
100 – 81 = 19% carbs.

Many Thanks!

cabindream

[anonymous]

“We were feeding our dogs Rachel Ray which his breath smelled then, but now it smells like death.”

Sounds like infection/periodontal disease needs to be ruled out first.
What you described is what tooth decay smells like. Sometimes a tooth in the back can go rotten quickly (especially with a senior), even when all the other teeth look fine. The vet may be able to diagnose with one quick sniff.

[anonymous]

What you describe sounds like seizure activity, pre-ictal, ictal and post-ictal. At age 14 your dog is elderly (even for a small breed). It may be idiopathic, or age related.
I doubt if your vet would recommend extensive testing and x-rays at her age to rule out brain tumor. As the treatment options may be limited anyway. I would focus on care and comfort. I agree that feeding 3 or 4 small meals a day works better for a senior than 1 or 2. I would add a little water to her meals. Walks/exercise as tolerated. I would discuss medication options with your vet that may decrease seizures. I would avoid vaccines for this dog due to the diagnosis of a neurological disorder. Discuss these things with your vet, don’t be afraid to ask him to call you when he has a minute, make a list of your questions and have it ready. She may do better on a bland diet, however, her neurological issues may not be diet related.

[anonymous]

He’s old, old dogs smell. Dogs can have halitosis, too, just like people, lol.
There are minty breath freshener additives you can add to his water and such. I don’t think it matters what you feed him, he sounds like he is doing very well, I wouldn’t make any changes other than what your vet recommends. You might want to check with your vet, again. Tooth decay and dental issues can occur suddenly with seniors.

[SummerRainAussies]

I have tried every premium food you can think of and Victors is one of my favorites. All my Aussies from weaning puppies to senior dogs do well on it.

[InkedMarie]

I used to use Reel Raw. With grinds, it was cheaper for me to buy from Hare Today even with RR’s free shipping to me.

What supplements were you using that had to be ground? I use salmon oil (just throw the pill in), Bug Off Garlic, condition specific (my senior gets a joint supp, my girl gets a urinary supp).

[winstonandporter]

Hi Emily
you sound as though you have done a great job with your lab! I agree with InkedMarie in that senior dogs should have more protein. I am a strong advocate of the raw diet, yet I am not saying that you should change to this, but adding raw meat can massively increase protein in senior dogs. Here is a sample diet for you to try if you want:

Morning
6 ounces (3/4 cup) beef heart
2 ounces (1/4 cup) beef kidney
1 egg

Evening
8-12 ounces of (1-1 and a half cups) chicken necks or backs

I have a blog on the website too if you want to read about feeding senior dogs and raw food diets. Won’t put the link on as it may be prejudicial, just google us. Anyway good luck and as an owner of senior dogs myself I can totally relate to your situation. Good luck! Dev

[M A]

Hi everyone,
I have a rescue beagle, estimated to be 10 yrs old, with a plethora of health issues (seizures, renal failure, gastric issues) and last year diagnosed with a bulging cervical disc and 2 bulging lumbar discs (one so distorted it resembles a jelly bean).
I purchased a good quality memory foam bed for her. We didn’t realize how much she hated it until she began sleeping on her car pillow when it was removed from the car last week for some auto cleaning. Unsure if the foam is too hard or what.
Any suggestions for a quality Ortho bed for a senior dog with disc issues?
Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

[Laurie F]

Hi Gina
I just joined Dog Food Advisor because I have been looking for other low sodium dog kibble that is ‘palatable’ to my miniature schnauzer. She was diagnosed in April 2016 with congenital heart disease/mitral valve etc. I realize your posting was over 2 years ago, but the information you posted regarding sodium content may be misleading. For example, Wellness Complete Care Small Breed Senior Deboned Turkey and Peas lists their sodium content at not more than 30%. I thought ‘great, I found the perfect food’. However, one must take that information a few steps further to determine the sodium content in milligrams per 100kcal. With this specific Wellness dog kibble, it is actually 85.73 mg NA (sodium), and that is HIGH for my dog. I have another Science Diet food at 36% sodium, but that worked out to be a sodium of about 99 mg/100kcal. No risk or mild sodium restrictions include 0.35% to 0.5% equivalent to 100mg/l00kCal; Moderate sodium restriction include 0.1% to 0.35% equivalent to about 80mg/100kCal; Severe sodium restriction is anything less than 0.1% or about 50mg/100kCal. The following is the FORMULA: get the sodium percentage from the bag. If it’s not there, many good dog food manufacturers post it on their website for the specific dog food you are considering. They will also post the Metabolizable Energy (kCal/kg, as fed). Wellness posted a Metabolizable Energy of 3499 Kcal/kg and 0.30% sodium. Take 0.30 and divide by 3499 and then multiply by 1,000,000 to obtain the sodium content in milligrams per 100 kcal. I’m just thankful I didn’t feed my dog anymore than a couple cups of this very bad for her health kibble!

• This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by Laurie F.

[Susan]

Hi Mary, so sorry for your loss, all you can do now is warn people about given pets oral flea medications…
I’m always warning people when giving any oral flea medications, only give 1/2 the dose with their breakfast on a full stomach & then only if your dog was OK no side effects then give the other 1/2 tablet or chew with their dinner on a full stomach & if your dog is over 7yrs old to have your pet vet checked first especially if they’re a senior dog or cat…

Bravecto has killed a few dogs cause it’s a 3 monthly chew it’s a stronger oral flea medication, I bet all the dogs that have died were elderly, these flea companies need too write on the flea packet, “make sure any pets over 7yrs old are vet checked first for any under lying health problems”, my boy has IBD & Skin Allergies when I asked my vet can I try one of the new flea products Patches vet looked a me & said NO do not give Patch any flea meds just use the frontline spray & frontline spot on, so she must of seen a few dogs get sick after taken oral flea meds… if only vets came on these type of dogs sites & wrote what they have seen being a vet..

[pitlove]

Hi T.G

I feel there is an obvious solution here which does not involve moving your 6 month old large breed to an adult maintenance diet like Orjien Senior… Choosing another brand that is not Orijen.

Growing puppies have a protein requirement of between 22-25% protein. Orijen is in far excess of that and for many dogs Orijens fat and protein levels are far too high. I would recommend highly considering a switch in brands. A few suggestions are: Dr. Tim’s Kinesis, NutriSource Large Breed Puppy and Precise Holistic Complete Large & Giant Breed Puppy.

Your two dogs are at very different stages of life and unfortunetly both of their needs can not be met with the same food within Orijen. An adult maintenance diet aside from usually being too calorically dense for a puppy, does not have the correct vitamin and mineral levels to sustain a growing pup.

[Susan]

Hi T.G has your girl only ever eaten just Orijen kibble have you tried any other kibbles cause of her poos are soft?
you need to try a lower protein & a lower fat kibble some dogs just do not do well on high protein high fat kibbles, I have to stay under 28% for protein & stay under 15% for fat & need a lower Kcal/per cup ME kibble, under 380 Kcals/per cup….

I would not feed a senior kibble to a large breed puppy the senior kibbles have more Glucosamine, Chondroitin & Phosphorus, supplements for older dogs joints & you have a large breed you don’t want her bones to grow too quick…maybe someone else may know more…
I’ve emailed kibble companies cause I’ve seen large breed kibbles that have ingredients that my boy can eat & the fat & protein is what Patch does well on, I’ve asked them can I feed a large breed formula to my medium size dog & they have all yes its Ok to feed my boy a large breed kibble but I don’t think it’s a good idea to feed a senior formula to a large breed growing pup…
My boy is turning 8 in a few days & I don’t feed him a senior kibble some are too high in fiber for him & all the supplements they add don’t survive or aren’t as strong as when you add your own supplement to their diet & add a healthy fresh whole food to their diet…

You have to be careful with your dog doing sloppy poos everyday that she doesn’t get thickening of the bowel as she gets older. My boy is a rescue & has IBD, his vet was very worried that Patch may have thickening of the bowel & I didn’t want Patch opened up to find out so Patch had an Ultra Scan of the bowel, pancreas, stomach etc & from what the vet could see it didn’t look like Patch had thickening of the bowel….after rotating cooked foods & different kibbles he can just be put straight onto another brand of kibble that he has eatin before I don’t have to re introduce the kibble like I use too 3 yrs ago, but I stick with kibbles that are lower in fat & lower in protein cause he just can’t handle the higher Kcal formulas.. I also fed a home cooked meal for breakfast or swap around & feed cooked meal for dinner…

I’d start rotating between different brands & proteins this way if 1 kibble isn’t balanced properly, or something else is wrong with the kibble like the omega 6 is too high & the omega 3 is real low causing health problems this way they are not eating the same kibble for too long to cause any serious health problems…
I’d start looking at other large breed formula’s where the protein fat is lower then what she’s eating at the moment also change the protein get a different protein…

There’s Earthborn Holistic, they have never had a recall, there’s “Victor” or “Sport Dog Food Elite” Sport Dog Food has similar ingredients as Victor kibble but is cheaper, there’s Ziwi Peak is air dried raw & has wet tin foods as well my cat loves Ziwi Peak…There’s Canidae there’s a few really good kibbles around, they all don’t have to be 5 stars kibble…start adding fresh whole foods to the kibble…I follow Rodney Habib on face Book he’s got a really good video this week about chicken kibbles being high in omega 6 & very low in omega 3….
Start rotating one of these brands in your rotation that is lower in fat & protein with different ingredients also look at the Kcals per cup, pick a kibble that is lower in Kcals per cup then the Orijen she is eating at the moment…I can not feed any kibbles that are over 400Kcals per cup to my IBD dog, it’s just too much for him to digest & he does sloppy big poos about 3-4 a day…
I like kibbles where he only does 2 poos a day, “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb & Canidae Life Stages, All Life Stages formula, he only does 2 firm poos a day & poo’s are small….

Home Page

http://www.sportdogfood.com/grain-free-large-breed-large-bites-30-14/
http://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products
http://ziwipeak.com/

[T. G.]

I have a 6 month old Golden who has been on Orijen large breed puppy since I brought her home at 8 weeks. Her stool has always been like soft serve ice cream – sometimes a bit better. I’ve given her probiotics, rice, pumpkin and it helps a little. I want to switch her to a great food that will firm up her poo. And from what I’ve read, she is probably old enough to go to an adult food soon. I’m just not happy with the potato and legumes I’m seeing in even Acana foods.

I also have an 8 year old German Shepherd mix on Orijen Senior. He had the same issue as the Golden on Orijen Adult, but does GREAT and looks amazing on Orijen Senior. It would be super convenient to feed them both the same food, but like I said, I really like the Orijen ingredients better than any other food I’ve seen.

I’ve been doing a side by side comparison of the Orijen adult to Orijen senior. It really isn’t that different except less fat, more fiber. Acana is quite far off in comparison – more calcium than I’d like too.

So, if the food is good, the nutrients are there, and the calcium levels are not too high (they aren’t I checked using the calcium/phosporus calculator on this site) would there be any harm in trying Orijen senior for my 6 month old? What do I need to consider?

Here’s the comparison. Sorry the formatting is wonky.

. Orijen adult , orijen senior, acana

Crude protein (min.) 38% 38% 29 %
Crude fat (min.) 18% 15% 17 %
Crude fiber (max.) 5% 8% 6 %
Moisture (max.) 10% 10% 12 %
Calcium (min./max) 1.3 / 1.6 % 1.2 / 1.5 % 1.70%
Phosphorus (min./max) 1 / 1.3 % 0.9 / 1.2 % 1 %
Omega-6 (min.) 3% 2.50% 2.10%
Omega-3 (min.) 1.10% 1% 0.8 %
DHA (min.) 0.60% 0.60% 0.15%
EPA (min.) 0.30% 0.30% 0.15%
Ash (max.) 8% 8% 9 %
Glucosamine (min.) 1400 mg/kg 1400 mg/kg 600 mg/kg
Chondroitin (min.) 1200 mg/kg 1200 mg/kg 800 mg/kg
Microorganisms (min.) 120M cfu/kg 120M cfu/kg
pH 5.5 5.5
Vitamin A 30 kIU/kg 16 kIU/kg 50
Vitamin D 3 2 kIU/kg 1 kIU/kg 3500
Vitamin E 470 IU/kg 400 IU/kg 250
Vitamin B12 0.5 mg/kg 0.5 mg/kg 0.15
Thiamine 70 mg/kg 50 mg/kg
Riboflavin 55 mg/kg 45 mg/kg
Niacin 390 mg/kg 450 mg/kg
Pan. Acid (B5) 64 mg/kg 50 mg/kg
Pyridoxine (B6) 52 mg/kg 38 mg/kg
Folic Acid 4.7 mg/kg 5.2 mg/kg 1.3
Choline 2400 mg/kg 2700 mg/kg 1900
Sodium 0.30% 0.40% 0.3
Chloride 0.60% 0.64% 0.5
Potassium 1.00% 0.77% 0.8
Magnesium 0.12% 0.10% 0.13
Manganese 25 mg/kg 27 mg/kg
Selenium 1.2 mg/kg 0.9 mg/kg
Iron 230 mg/kg 240 mg/kg 180
Zinc 240 mg/kg 200 mg/kg 255
Copper 26 mg/kg 26 mg/kg 20
Iodine 3.6 mg/kg 1.8 mg/kg 2.7
Lysine 2.40% 2.45% 2.08
Tryptophan 0.40% 0.38% 1.2
Threonine 1.60% 1.50% 0.46
Tyrosine 0.98% 0.98%
Methionine 0.80% 0.80%
Isoleucine 1.50% 1.50% 1.15
Leucine 2.90% 2.90% 2.2
Valine 1.90% 1.85% 1.5
Arginine 2.50% 2.20% 2.15
Phenylalanine 1.60% 1.60% 1.38
Histidine 0.90% 0.80% 0.71
Cystine 0.40% 0.35% 0.32

• This topic was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by T. G..

[anonymous]

I think it would be best to ask the veterinarian that is treating your dog, dogs that have kidney disease tend to be nauseous. Food supplements often interact with prescription meds.
Your dog has a history of medical problems, plus he is a senior. Coconut oil is high in fat and calorie content. The younger dog may tolerate it, but the older one, not so much.
Hope this helps:

Coconut Oil for Pets?

[Robert J]

I have two mixed girls, part border col/aust she, from same litter that are 14. That have had a continuous all day and night buffet of Fromms Gold Senior (Dry). One never gains weight but the other has always been overweight. and now it is effecting her movement. The Vet has sold Hills Prescription Diet r/d (wet) for weight loss. When we try to order it on line then say we need a script from a Vet. Is this true? Also, can anyone suggest a better alternative for weight loss? Thanks

[Caryl R]

My 10 year old has been eating Orijen senior. I was happy with the food. Then we got a bag of Senior formula made in the USA. My dog is not picky so she ate it without issue, however, it gave her the nastiest smelling gas. It would clear the room and make me want to gag. Unbelievably bad. I had to switch her food.

My two younger dogs have done great on the Orijen Regional Red Canada formula. Anyway, I switched them all to Timberwolf Organics. I am very happy with the food. It is also a bit more economical which is always good. I have been happy with Orijen over the years and I hope that they work out whatever issues there are with the new US formulas.

[anonymous]

I don’t know, but it’s not the food. Many dogs (especially seniors) cannot tolerate the side effects of Rimadyl, such as diarrhea. Sometimes all is fine until the dog has been on it for a while, like a couple of months.
If this is happening you should talk to the vet about changing the medication, there are alternative medications for pain and arthritis.
Rimadyl really can irritate the intestinal tract and colon after the dog has been on it for more than a few weeks. I don’t think changing the food would do anything significant to help..

[InkedMarie]

Most senior dog foods are too low in protein (Orijen senior being the exception, off the top of my head). Healthy dogs need a higher protein food.

[Emily S]

A month-and-a-half ago, I acquired my 12 year old Lab from my parents, he’s been mostly seditary for the last 1+ years, and was struggling with arthritus when I got him. He could barely walk a few block.

I’ve added Glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM supplement to his diet, along with increasing the length of his walks – to the point where he wanted to jog 2 days ago! He jogged about a quarter mile, and he doesn’t consider 1 mile to be a long enough walk 😉

He’s a very large dog, in his “prime” weighed 120lbs. He’s now down to a slim/healthy 90lbs. QUESTION: should I be feeding him Adult Dog food or Senior Dog food? Due to being seditary, he has lost the majority of the muscle mass in his hind legs – I’d like to see his strength increase. Currently feeding Fromm’s Senior Dog Food

[anonymous]

With seniors I will feed 3-4 small meals per day instead of 1 or 2, and I add a tasty topper, maybe a bite of scrambled egg or chopped broiled chicken liver, chopped cooked lean meat or chicken….you get the idea. If he is not drinking enough water, add a splash to meals.
The only supplement I use for dogs is fish oil (1 capsule a day) not sure if it actually does anything.

[anonymous]

How long have you had him? He may be grieving his former owner and home, maybe there were other dogs there that he bonded with. It is very hard for some dogs, especially a senior.
The first month will be the worst. Just be extra nice to him but give him his space, hopefully he’ll come around.

You can presoak the kibble in water overnight in the fridg and then add a little plain homemade chicken broth (no onions) or mix with a soft topper. If you don’t see him drinking water, add a little to his food, senior small breeds are vulnerable to get bladder stones, struvite and urinary tract infections if they don’t drink enough water. Take him out frequently to urinate.

Keep his diet simple, maybe a limited ingredient food, I like Nutrisca. I wouldn’t add vegetables for now, they can cause loose stools in some dogs. I wouldn’t add any supplements unless advised to do so by a veterinarian that has examined him.

[Kristin S]

I’ve scrolled through a lot of the forum discussions looking for help picking out a new food but i didnt get far. Here is our situation –
7 year old, 125 lbs Germany Shepherd-mastiff mix. He has back and joint problems already. He needs to lose about 15lbs. He is very INACTIVE. He also has yeast problems so we can’t do potatoes.

Any suggestions?? Thanks a lot

[Jenn H]

Anon101 I appreciate the reply and advice.
She has had part of her senior physical, but because of the emergency visit right before that wellness/senior visit I didn’t have enough money to do all the tests needed. As soon as I can she will get the complete blood work up.

I’m worried it may be kidney or pancreas related. She has been having intermittent incontinence also.

Right now the band-aid (THK Bone Broth) is working enough that i/d is staying down. Hopefully she won’t get worse before I save enough for the rest of the tests.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Byron-
Is your dog a full grown adult? If yes, you don’t necessarily need to choose a large breed recipe. I’ve fed both Victor and NutriSource senior/weight management foods successfully. But, I mostly just try to pick kibble that is a little lower than average in both fat and calories and then add a little topper to keep them feeling full. The brand I feed my lab mix dogs most often is Whole Earth Farms. Good luck to you.

[anonymous]

It’s not about finding the right food. Move more, eat less, that is how people and animals can lose weight.
Do you have health insurance for your dog? I ask because I think from the information you have provided that your dog might benefit from aquatic therapy (swimming). If your vet prescribes it for weight loss it may be covered.
One minute of swimming is equal to four minutes of running.

Dogs get bored, you have to find an activity that they are passionate about. Try different things.

Consider consulting an Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist.

PS: Has the vet ruled out medical causes for the weight gain/slow metabolism? Senior workup? I would start there.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 5 months ago by anonymous.

[anonymous]

Has she had a senior workup, labs, etc. If so, and she has not responded to treatment, I would consider getting additional testing done to get a correct diagnosis so that you can then evaluate the treatment options presented
The other option would be to make an appointment with a Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist. That’s what I would do, considering that the band aid solutions are not working.

[anonymous]

I suspect that urinating in the house has nothing to do with the dog’s diet. As a senior he is vulnerable to all sorts of things, such as UTIs, struvite (urinalysis will rule out), bladder stones (ultrasound will rule out).
So, I think a call/visit to the vet is in order. I wouldn’t change his food from what a veterinarian that has examined him has recommended. Pancreatitis is a serious condition.

PS: I would see if you can collect a urine sample to take to the vet. A empty prescription pill bottle (clean) will do. You only need a small amount.

[anonymous]

Take her swimming, Aquatic Therapy. One minute of swimming = four minutes of running.
My dog is thriving since I’ve been taking him to the lake at least 3 X a week.
My veterinary clinic offers a heated pool and underwater treadmill, if it was within my budget I would try that.

No free feeding, 2 meals per day (measured amounts) I tend not to use senior dog food and add a little cooked lean meat to kibble……. it depends on the individual dog as to what food would be best, trial and error.

[Hattie H]

I’ve just begun my self education into better dog nutrition and weight loss and could use some advice. I have a 7 year old female lab that weighs 80lbs. We travel a lot and thus her activity level varies week to week from very little when it’s just her and I at home to highly active when we she’s with her 3 year old Australian Shepard cousin. I determined she’s a 7 on the body condition scale and that her ideal weight is likely around 65lbs -70lbs. Based on Internet searches, talking to people, and using the different formulas I’ve come up with a wide range of recommended daily calorie intake, from 850-1400, to get her to her ideal weight. I’ve been feeding her 1300 cal/day for a couple weeks and was going to drop it closer to 1000 as I haven’t seen any weight loss. When I started this weight loss campaign I also switched her from blue buffalo to a mix of Fromm Gold senior (3 cups/1077kcal) and honest kitchen Keen (.5 cup/235kcal) I was advised to put her on a senior food based on her age and activity level but the senior foods typically have less protein and from my research I’m seeing that a lot of people recommend higher protein. The protein/ fat amounts for these foods are 23/11 and 21/15, respectively.

Aside from needing to shed a few pounds she has no other health problems and recently got blood work done everything came back great. She just turned 7 a week ago and I want to get her in optimal health so she’s with me for a very long time. The plan is to keep researching and learn all I can about dog nutrition and start adding in raw and better foods as I figure out what those are…

So, does anyone have thoughts or advice on the calorie intake, food choices, protein amount?

[Susan]

Hi Jennifer, have a look at “Honest Kitchen” Zeal, its formulated for senior dogs & it’s lower in fat 8.5% then Royal Canine UC , with the Honest Kitchen you just add water so the diet is a moist diet what is needed when a dog has kidney problems, kibbles are no good to feed dogs/cats when they have health problems, that’s how they probably got the health problems from eating kibble…….
There has to be better foods then what your vet is recommending…. Have you looked at cooked diet & going thru “Balance It” they do special meals as well thru their nutritionist for dogs with certain health problems, you just add the “Balance It” to your premade meals so the meal is balanced…..Just fill out the questionnaire about your dogs health problems then they will give you recipes for you to make & add their “Balance It” too…If your dog has a complicated health problem, it will say to contact their Nutritionist…. so maybe re fill out questionnaire with the health problem he has now & this way you can just order the “Balance It” & follow their recipes or The Honest Kitchen also has Base Mixes you just add to your cooked meals that balance the meals & you can make a few meals & freeze or put in the fridge….
https://secure.balanceit.com/
Shop All Dog

[C C]

We have had a terrible, terrible experience when the Acana Pacifica that our Sheltie was on for years stopped being produced. In its place was the new US version vs former Canada produced. My dog got sick almost immediately, even though we were very slowly transitioning her over with only about 10 kibbles or less. In a short time we noticed an awful puddle of greasy “goo” at the bottom of the bad as well as in the smaller container we had put some in. It was awful, probably rancid or soon to be, and we returned it to the pet store. They took it back immediately but then suggested we try another, this time the mackerel. Our dog continued to be sick and 3 visits later to the emergency clinic now over a month later, she refuses to eat ANY kibble at all. They put her on a temporary prescription canned formula for easy digestion which she ate for awhile, but now again, not eating it. Now I am having to make rice and boiled chicken for her and she only eats less than 1/4 cup of anything and has lost 3#. Many tests and x-rays reveal no other problem other than the “hit to her liver” that bad dog food did. I have contacted the company, Champion, who refuses any accountability whatsoever other than to admit that early batches of food “appeared wet” and “the problem is being fixed”. We are really upset about what she has had to go through and want to avoid other dogs and pet parents suffering, so contacted Dog Food Advisor for suggestions. They suggested this blog and also included helpful links to other resources we can contact. Has anyone else experienced this? Granted we do have a senior dog (10) with an autoimmune disease that could make her more sensitive, but we have never had a problem like this before she had absolutely no problem and thrived on the original Canadian produced Acana Pacifica. Thank you.