[Dawn]

I have a 16 year old Lhasa-huahua. I am looking at switching his diet to a low fibre food from the store bought stuff he has been on all his life.

He can’t make it through the long nights that I work without soiling. I am hoping that a low fibre diet may help with this. He is very lean and I have always had trouble keeping weight on him so I don’t really think I need a “Senior” formulation for weight control. He is also having issues with arthritis. He has always done better with wet food.

There are so many to choose from and all my vet said was go with a premium brand. Can anyone make suggestions?

Thanks
Dawn

[anonymous]

Zignature, wet or dry, presoak the dry food and add water.
However, at age 16, the ailments you describe are most likely age related.
Food can only do so much, some seniors need a bathroom break about every 2 hours for optimal results. Minimum, every 4 hours.
Feed 3 or 4 or 5 small meals per day with water added, rather than 2 meals per day. Always have fresh water available. Don’t expect the dog to hold his urine all day, that’s how bladder stones develop.
Talk to your vet about prescription meds for the arthritis pain, care and comfort.

[Dawn]

Ok, so Zignature has so many formulations it makes it even harder to choose and the ones I’ve looked at so far are “Fibre Rich”.

[anonymous]

Not compared to some other brands (imo)
Give it a try and see what happens. No guarantees with anything in life.
Ps: My dogs do well on whitefish or catfish, as a base.

[Dawn]

So what is the fibre content? I can’t find the details.

[anonymous]

https://www.chewy.com/zignature-whitefish-limited/dp/118063

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein
29.0% min
Crude Fat
14.0% min
Crude Fiber
5.0% max
Moisture
10.0% max
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
0.4% min
Omega 6 Fatty Acids
2.4% min

[Dawn]

I’m finding other brands much lower. Thanks

[anonymous]

The canned version: https://www.chewy.com/zignature-whitefish-limited/dp/119179

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein
9.0% min
Crude Fat
5.0% min
Crude Fiber
1.0% max
Moisture
78.0% max

Old dogs usually have 2 or 3 bowel movements a day, this is normal and healthy.
Fiber is needed in the diet.

[Dawn]

so the wet food is much lower…

[anonymous]

Has he had a senior workup? A physical exam, lab work, etc? Seniors are vulnerable to all sorts of stuff.
It’s important to rule out any medical causes for a change in bowel habits first, before assuming that diet changes are in order.
Ps: I just noticed that you mentioned that you consulted your vet. Just saying, some folks don’t bother…

[Dawn]

Yes. I took him this morning. He is having issues with pain in his front legs. I totally get that he is old a will be stiff and sore at his age but I want him as comfortable as possible in the time I have left with him.

I work long hours at night and I mentioned the problem we are having with him messing at night. He has a large crate with room for his bed and a puppy pad. He just can’t seem to just leave the poop alone. Every morning I come home and he has made a mess if it. So the vet said maybe a low residue/fibre diet might help. I am having trouble with this notion though, after I checked the fibre content of his current food. It is 1.5% just like the wet zignature and has better protein content than some of the “premium” brands.

[anonymous]

Then he needs to be taken out for bathroom breaks more frequently.
Seniors are like puppies, all over again.
High maintenance, they need bathroom breaks at least every 2 hours.
It is what it is. They can no longer wait 8 to 10 hours for you to come home and let them out.
There is no magical food that will change these basic facts.
This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

[Dawn]

That’s not going to happen through the night. I know iit’s less than ideal but that’s the way it is.

[pitlove]

Hi Dawn-

The % fiber listed on the bag of food is always the MAX amount of fiber that COULD be in the food. Usually the true value of fiber is much lower. Any food you are interested in, I would recommend emailing the company and requesting the fiber % values found on their typical analysis. If they do not know what that is, or refuse to give you the info, avoid that company.

I have one dog that requires a lower % fiber in his diet now as well. He is not a senior, but as he ages his stomach is getting increasingly sensitive.

[InkedMarie]

I have a dog who needs low fiber….she eats Earthborn Primitive Natural which is 2.5%. It’s also very small kibble.

This may not be the issue but worth trying.

[CockalierMom]

… so the wet food is much lower…

Dawn, no the wet food is higher in fiber than the kibble. To compare dry kibble to wet can, you need to convert both to dry matter.

[Dawn]

So how do you make a conversion? I am giving him 1% crude fibre in wet food.

[Author]

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