[Ginger E]

My cocker spaniel, Lucy, is 11 years old. She has always been in good health. Over the past year she has gained weight and, according to the blood tests, has elevated liver enzymes. The first thought was Cushings, but that is not the case. The vet put her on Hill Metabolic and Motility. We did a 3 pound sample and it did help Lucy. She was not panting as much adn just looked more comfortable. However, I know the ingrediaents in this food suck. Corn and chicken meal are ingredients that I would like to avoid. I bought some Blue Buffalo senior formula hoping that would help, but Lucy is right back to the panting like crazy and just looks like she is uncomfortable.

Is there another food I could try or am I stuck feeding the Hill food? I will do it if I have to as it did seem to help, but it just kills me to feed her corn and chicken meal.

[Anonymous]

Wait and see what the vet advises, if anything. I have a 15 year old small breed who will do this even now, if he has the opportunity.
I scoop/bag discard immediately. Problem solved 🙂
He recently had a senior workup, lab work, parasite check, etc, There is nothing wrong with him.
Like I said, sometimes it is just a learned nasty habit.
It is not unusual, but you have to watch them and intervene. Don’t scold or make a fuss, just quickly pick up the feces as soon as it hits the ground and discard. Break the habit.

[Sam Koch]

My mom is not a senior. I think I will take them to the vet by myself and just see what they would like to do. Do I need to switch foods if it’s not a health issue?

[Anonymous]

@pitlove,
Thanks, I have learned some of these things the hard way.

PS: To the OP, is your mom a senior? Some veterinary clinics offer senior discounts.
Don’t be afraid to ask.

[Anonymous]

It’s a nasty habit some dogs develop
http://www.dogpoopdiet.com/why-dogs-eat-poop/#more-278
“If your dog eats poop, you should make sure it’s not because of a health issue. Some dogs will start eating poop when they aren’t absorbing enough nutrients, they have parasites, or they have issues with their pancreas. All coprophagic dogs should be examined by a veterinarian”.

The only cure I have found for it is to follow them around and when they do their business, scoop it up or bag it immediately. Out of sight, out of mind. After a while they stop turning around to look for it, some dogs outgrow it.

All pet owners should take their pets for an annual checkup if possible, heartworm check etc. Often you can negotiate with the vet which tests and vaccinations are unnecessary, especially after you develop a relationship with one.
Senior wellness checks at about age 7 are important.

[Anonymous]

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.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by Anonymous.

[marguerite c]

I have a Golden Jada. Very much over weight and needs to drop some pounds. She is presently on Thyroid Meds and it has been recommended that I give her one meal a day of all protein. Any suggestions for a high protein dog. She has one meal of Blue Buffalo Senior . I have just introduced this. She is 5yrs old and I have just adopted her. Can you give me any suggestions.

[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.

[Bobby dog]

MMMMMMMMM Chicken Florentine in a light savory sauce, they make it sound so good. I have checked them out before. Sometimes I think they just need a different taste. I am still having luck with giving a few Pro Plan savory bites to my seniors before their meals; it seems to get their appetites going.

[Anonymous]

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.

[crazy4cats]

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.

[Gayle R]

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.

[Pitlove]

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.

[Pitlove]

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.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Pitlove.

[Tracy M]

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!

[Stefanie K]

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?

[Anonymous]

I might rethink the bully stick, for a dog that has a sensitive stomach….you do know what body part it comes from, right? Greasy, fatty and treated with who knows what. Just saying.

I would give no treats to a dog that was having frequent bowel movements. A healthy dog usually has one or 2 bms a day, in my experience.

I give my senior dog 4 small meals per day, he’s bored and has a little dementia going on, sometimes he goes to the fridg and barks at it? If I ignore him he goes back to his dog bed and naps till the next meal time.

[Bobby dog]

I bought the cats Triumph GF Turkey & Giblets and GF Chic & Whitefish canned foods. They are pate’s and my cats liked them. I feed their turkey pate’ in my rotation. The Chic & Whitefish is more for the seniors when they won’t eat, but I did try it out on all of them and it went over well. Triumph is canned by Simmons.

jakes mom:
Why do I have a garden again? Even though I downsized, it doesn’t seem like I have. Bobby’s contribution to garden work was peeing on one of the catnip plants. lol

weezerweeks:
How are your colony of kitties? I am not sure if you read my post about large sized canned foods so I am posting again with an addition: Friskies, 4Health (Tractor Supply Co. & Del’s Feed house brand), Wellness, EVO, Innova, and add Triumph.

Triumph is budget friendly, although not as much as Friskies. You can find Triumph in some stores or on-line:
http://www.chewy.com/s?dept=all&query=triumph&nav-submit-button=Submit+Query

You could also check out the parent company’s other lines that are sold in grocery stores, Wal-Mart, and Target etc. for other possible options. Here’s their site:
http://www.sunshinemills.com/

[Anonymous]

“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).

[Anonymous]

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

[crazy4cats]

I’ve thought about the harness idea, but I have four of them I’d have to harness up! Well, actually three. I wouldn’t have to worry about my senior kitty. She’s already sowed her wild oats! Yes, mine will eat many of the Nutro Max canned foods as well. They especially like the duck chunks in sauce recipe. And it doesn’t make Rosie throw up even though it has sauce. Bonus!!!

[Pitlove]

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

[Pitlove]

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

[DogFoodie]

My three favorite “senior” foods are Wellness Core Reduced Fat, Go! Fit+Free Senior and Orijen Senior. All three are quality products made by manufacturers I trust, of quality ingredients. All have protein in excess of 30% and a bit less fat, but still high quality fats.

[maxcori2002]

My goal is to keep the weight off, keep her satisfied and make sure I’m meeting her needs as a senior girl. My other lab passed away last year. She lived to be 16. I know that is a long time, but I would really like to improve some of the last years. She had some neurological damage from arthritis. So, I thought making sure I switch to a senior food earlier would help. I have already started Salmon oil. We take Nuvet Plus vitamins and I’m looking for another source for Glucosamine.

[Pitlove]

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.

[Pitlove]

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

[maxcori2002]

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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Betsy P]

My senior Chi “swallows hard” while stretching out (lengthening) his neck, and licking the ait.
My veterinarian has no diagnosis.
It seems to mainly happen after his nightly meal… and like so many others have mentioned, there doesn’t seem to be a pattern, timewise, to know when to expect it to happen.
Jack’s episodes are only occasional, and can last anywhere from 40 seconds, to several minutes.
He has never done his hard-swallowing & licking at the vet’s office — but I have shown them a video of what he looks like when he’s doing it.
I’m going to try a few of the suggested “remedies” to these symptoms, to see if any of them help Jack, to shorten/stop the attack of the gulps.
Thanks, everyone — I never knew this was such a common occurrence in dogs. It makes me more at-ease, to know it may not be anything TOO major, for my senior furbaby.

[Ryan K]

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?

[James S]

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

[Anonymous]

Take a look at Nutrisca http://www.chewy.com/dog/dogswell-nutrisca-grain-free-salmon/dp/35031

Or what Wysong has to offer, including Wysong Senior http://www.chewy.com/s?dept=dog&query=wysong&nav-submit-button=Submit+Query

[Dori]

Lazaro. If you are feeding a high quality dog food from a company you trust then no, I see no reason to add any vitamin supplements to their food. If you have a dog that is a senior or ill, then the only vitamin supplement that I would recommend is from Standard Process. Canine Whole Dog Supplement.

I’m a commercial raw feeder to my three dogs. The only one that gets a vitamin supplement daily is Hannah, my Maltese. She’ll be 16 years old in September.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 10 months ago by Dori.

[Anonymous]

Increase his exercise, long walks. Quality kibble will give a dog regular bowel movements. See “General Guidelines” in this link for homemade, you may find some helpful tips. http://www.homeovet.net/dynamic/php/downloads/dog-c8470f2c75dbe4b683205c3919ee2310/dog_diet_complete.pdf

I like Wysong senior for my old guy or Nutrisca salmon and chickpea.

[Lazaro B]

My dog currently eats Natural Balance Fat Dogs because he was slightly overweight. The food has about 7 grams of fat per cup and has about 250 kcal per cup. He has lost weight, but I was wondering if I should switch him to Blue Buffalo weight management. I’ve read several comments about Blue Buffalo that it gave there dogs gas or they won’t buy it anymore because of loose stools. What is your take on blue buffalo weight management for small breeds? My dog is about 23-24 pounds Pom poodle mix. He is neutered and is 6 years old. At what age should I switch him to senior dog food? What is there recall history?

Thanks

[MaggiesDad]

Yeah, they work really well in the warm weather and keep the dogs occupied for ages…
If anyone wants to give the food a try, Allprovide do a starter box of 8 lbs Chicken complete food for $15.20 with free shipping, but will swap that out for 8 lbs Senior food if you ask 🙂

[MaggiesDad]

You might also want to check out Allprovide’s Senior food: http://www.allprovide.com/senior-blend-with-vegetables-enhanced-formula-complete-senior-dog-food-4lbs/ – the ingredients are listed as:
INGREDIENTS – Fresh chicken (USDA – Grade A), beef liver, butternut squash, carrot, broccoli, green kale, beef trachea (Natural Source Glucosamine), beef kidney, sprouted organic adzuki bean, sprouted organic mung bean, milled flax seed, milled organic whole brown sesame seed, salmon oil, organic coconut oil, sea kelp powder, oregano leaf, organic turmeric root, wheat germ oil (natural vitamin E)
They don’t use potato, grains, cereals or other fillers, and the trachea is a great source of glucosamine which can really benefit some senior dogs.

[Wanda B]

I am one of those dog people that does a ‘senior exam’ even on a young dog every year. We just did blood,chem panel and stool. Still need to capture urine but everything was perfect so I don’t suspect it’s medical though I so appreciate your comment. I just have no idea how she was fed with her former owner. She was purchased from a pet store in PA so I do suspect she was from a puppy mill….and like I said barely out of her crate. He was 86 and fell over her and hurt himself. Should never have sold this kind of dog to him but what do they care? I was mixing canned with her kibble in the beginning, but she just stopped eating all of it. Purina Beyond canned salmon was a huge hit until the second can….very frustrating. Thanks again, Riley.
Sheryl, I will try the eggs! When my dogs were under palliative care, two of them at the same time, I had food issues with my Lucy, a BC Shepherd mix. This situation brings all of that back to me and I think I tend to panic a bit. But I want her to be happy about eating, you know? And, she’s not happy. I’m using a treat ball right now and that seems to work but finding the right kibble is a tough one. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Have you tried Wysong senior? http://www.chewy.com/dog/wysong-senior-dry-dog-food-5-lb-bag/dp/50242?utm_source=bing-pla&utm_medium=cse&utm_content=Wysong&utm_campaign=f

or Nutrisca lamb and chickpea http://www.chewy.com/dog/dogswell-nutrisca-grain-free-lamb/dp/35037

Regarding environmental allergies: /forums/topic/nutriscan-results-suggestions/
Frequent bathing with Malaseb might help…a lot of allergens are airborne.

[Ryan K]

Yes, I have actually tried Fromm’s Pork and Peas formula with her and she wouldn’t even touch it. It shocked me. I have noticed that most other Fromm’s (even in the Four Star) use Potatoes in their ingredient list. I’m not a big fan of Fromm’s for either of my dogs. My Dachshund/Terrier mix will eat ANYTHING and even he hasn’t been won over by Fromm’s. I now stay away from that brand since both the dogs have never shown interest in eating the foods from them that I have tried.

I think it might be a combination of seasonal allergies for her though like Susan mentioned. She won’t stop licking and chewing at her paws and I am wondering if it’s just because she has been in the grass/yard more lately? I wanted to get her off the Kangaroo though just based on the price. It’s costing me an arm and a leg to feed her and my other dog (he’s on another food!) and I am curious if there are alternatives to that food that would be free of the potato.

Any thoughts on Natural Balance Legume & Wagyu beef? I only had one outing with Natural Balance and the potatoes in the blend I got were a disaster. That was around the time I was discovering her response to potatoes. The Wagyu beef food is free of potatoes but it seems to have a lot of starch. I’m not sure if the overall guaranteed analysis is good for a senior dog or not. I’m not sure what levels I should keep an eye on for a dog her age? Is the protein supposed to be higher or lower as they age?

[Ryan K]

Thanks everyone!

I will look into the choices. I wish she would go for Orijen but every time I have tried her on it she turns her nose to it. Same with the Acana formulations I have given her in the past. She hates anything with fish in it. That has always been an issue for her despite my wanting to get those extra Omega-3’s in her system for her coat and skin.

The Pork and Sweet Potato might work. I wish there were more LID options for senior dogs with potato sensitivities. I always assumed she had a chicken allergy but I might try a chicken formula to test that theory out. 🙂

[DogFoodie]

Orijen Senior would be a good choice. It offers the higher level of quality protein that seniors need while lowering fat a bit and increasing fiber. While any “all life stages” food would be appropriate, this is just one option. It’s far from the limited ingredient food you were feeding though and occasionally, when you have a dog with one food sensitivity, it’s not unusual to end up with more.

Here are the ingredients: Boneless chicken*, chicken meal, chicken liver*, whole herring*, turkey meal, boneless turkey*, turkey liver*, whole eggs*, boneless walleye*, whole salmon, chicken heart*, chicken cartilage*, herring meal, salmon meal, pea fiber, chicken liver oil, red lentils, green peas, green lentils, sun-cured alfalfa, yams*, chickpeas, pumpkin*, butternut squash*, spinach greens*, carrots*, Red Delicious apples*, Bartlett pears*, cranberries*, blueberries*, kelp, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, Enterococcus faecium.

Protein – 38 %
Fat – 15 %
Fiber – 8 %

[Ryan K]

My dog has been on California Natural’s Kangaroo and Red Lentils. She has allergies and she is 13 years old and weighs 68 lbs. She has had allergies to Lamb and potato based foods. I want to get her on something different though since it seems like her allergies are back. I wonder if there is a food that is better for a senior dog that is free of potato and lamb?

[Anonymous]

It depends on the specific problems of the individual dog. Remember supplements and food are not medication, so at best, it’s hit or miss. They don’t have to be regulated by the FDA

I like to add fish oil and glucosamine to my old guy’s water soaked kibble because he shows signs of arthritis and has dry skin, potassium citrate, because he has a history of bladder stones.

To get specific advice and dose recommendations, I would consult a homeopathic vet.
Otherwise, it’s just a guessing game, or see a veterinarian that specializes in geriatric issues, there may be prescription medication that can keep your seniors comfortable.

PS: I have never given milk thistle to my pets, I took it myself once years ago, I forget why…but I think it made me sick…

[jakes mom]

Could someone just speak generally about supplements, what they give their dog (or cats, I have both) and why? There’s so much info out there! If you’re not giving a medicine, supplement, etc for a specific problem ( and see an improvement) how do you know it’s helping and worth giving? Just believe the literature and hope it’s helping? Heartworm season is upon us, and I’ve been hearing about milk thistle after hw meds. I hear about supergreen capsules, coconut oil, fish oil, on and on. With no FDA oversight, how do I even know if it’s got what the company says it has and I’m not wasting money? I’d like to hear from people who regularly give their pets supplements, what kind and how much (per # of animal), and what companies you trust. Right now dog gets joint supplement and also RMBs and dog and cats all enjoy some coconut oil. They’re all seniors. What would you be giving them if you were me? Thanks in advance!

[zcRiley]

It would be really cool (one day) if we could be in any review category (any list/page) and have a pull down menu to sort thru things faster. Like when shopping online. I know it’d take a lot of revamping/programming. The following are a few samples:

Price high to low
Price low to high
Protein low to high
Protein high to low
Senior food, Big Breed food, etc.
Recalled btwn Enter date thru Enter date
OR
Enter ingredient (i.e. flaxseed) and all foods containing that will show up, but only in whatever star rating list you’re looking at.
Enter “no potato” and all foods containing the word potato will NOT show up.
Enter Made In “location” (i.e. Canada).

Or will this complicate things, LOL. Anyway, thanks for reading, guys! 🙂

[Bobby dog]

pitlove:
Wellness, by Nature, and Red Barn are the only real hearty stews for dogs I have come across. But, I don’t normally look for stews, don’t know why. I like 4H and Pure Balance stews, they just aren’t as hearty as the others I mentioned. I don’t recommend the 4H GF for dogs, they are really, really high in fat. My cats don’t like 4H either, only my senior kitty liked the GF whitefish & chic.

If you haven’t tried Pure Balance canned for your dog, give it a try. The stews are a decent budget friendly food, $1/can. I feed the tubs too, they are about 70 cents each. I don’t feed or recommend the PB 95% due to the high fat %. I feed mostly the stews and throw in the tubs here and there. Here are DFA reviews for all three:
/dog-food-reviews/pure-balance-tubs/
/dog-food-reviews/pure-balance-dog-food-canned/
/dog-food-reviews/pure-balance-95-canned/

I have only tried the PB GF chicken pate’ and GF chic & turkey in gravy for cats. They didn’t like the chic and only my senior female liked the chic & turkey. It’s worth a try they are $1/tub. My Wal-Mart only carries one other salmon recipe; I try to stay away from larger fish species. I plan on trying the others whenever I get to another store.

I haven’t tried WEF yet. I am planning on it for both the dog and cat foods.

Another budget friendly canned dog food is Costco’s Nature’s Domain. You have to have a membership (or know someone who does). You have to buy it by the case, I think it’s a little over $20/case. C4C is the expert on all things Costco.
/dog-food-reviews/natures-domain-grain-free-canned/

I have a BJ’s membership and buy Berkley & Jenson chic dinner, 6 cans/$8.99.

[crazy4cats]

BDawg-
If I remember correctly, the old list doesn’t have Iams on it? Coincidentally, i have been buying a few cans of Iams here and there lately. My cats will USUALLY eat it. It’s not a bad price either. And, btw, I am going to start calling you Aimee, jr., you tend to be mentioning a lot of Purina foods lately, Hmmm? LOL! I confess, my crew does share at least one can of Friskies or Fancy Feast every morning. Also, since most of mine, except my senior are getting chubby so I have been feeding less. They beg for more, but I’m staying strong. However, what I have found is they are being a little less picky when they are hungry. Fancy that, LOL!

All-
Regarding stews, mine will eat the carrots, but not the peas. Except for my picky sr. kitty, will go to every bowl and suck the peas right up! It’s the funniest thing. It’s the little things in life that amuse me now! I still think most stews are a bit of a rip off though. They are way too expensive to be full of veggies (fillers) and water rather than meat!

[Bobby dog]

AGT:
That’s too bad. My Wal-Mart only has three (?) of the recipes. I haven’t bought any lately. They don’t like the chic pate’ and I bought the GF Turkey & Chic w/sauce by mistake that I recommended to you. My cats never like gravies or diced recipes of any kind. So I was bummed when I opened that and here my senior girl ended up loving it. I hope the other tub works out for you. Finding food they will eat is ridiculous.

The Muse just looks like the Beyond line except it includes toppers and broths. I guess that will be their “natural” line for pet stores and the Beyond will be sold in grocery stores.