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so hard to choose…
- This topic has 16 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 8 months ago by
Dawn.
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AuthorPosts
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Dawn
MemberI 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
Dawnanonymous
MemberZignature, 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
MemberOk, 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
MemberNot 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
MemberSo what is the fibre content? I can’t find the details.
anonymous
Memberhttps://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% minDawn
MemberI’m finding other brands much lower. Thanks
anonymous
MemberThe 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% maxOld dogs usually have 2 or 3 bowel movements a day, this is normal and healthy.
Fiber is needed in the diet.Dawn
Memberso the wet food is much lower…
anonymous
MemberHas 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
MemberYes. 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
MemberThen 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
MemberThat’s not going to happen through the night. I know iit’s less than ideal but that’s the way it is.
pitlove
ParticipantHi 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
MemberI 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
Member… 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
MemberSo how do you make a conversion? I am giving him 1% crude fibre in wet food.
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Recent Topics
-
The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Cutlery
by
sean zhang
21 hours, 11 minutes ago -
I’m considering getting a French Bulldog puppy
by
fofewig934 linxues
4 days, 19 hours ago -
German shepherd allergies
by
Ivey Evans
1 week, 1 day ago -
Looking for feedback on my dogs diet & supplements
by
A. Hoff
4 days, 19 hours ago -
Need any information on a dog food that has beef, bison, or goat, no potatoes…
by
Colleen Kilbane
1 week, 6 days ago
Recent Replies
-
ibelu ibelu on Budget friendly dog foods
-
Milly Fillow on Pet Boarding Service in India
-
watohin814 watohin on I’m considering getting a French Bulldog puppy
-
watohin814 watohin on Innovations in pet care
-
watohin814 watohin on Feeding my Cocker Spaniel
-
fofewig934 linxues on Dentley's Nature's Dog Chews anyone?
-
Kathryn D on German shepherd allergies
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Pabloo Escabaros on Ratings understanding
-
Pabloo Escabaros on WHAT is the right food for our dogs?!
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ZHURAVEL ANDRIY on German shepherd allergies
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ZHURAVEL ANDRIY on German shepherd allergies
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ZHURAVEL ANDRIY on Need any information on a dog food that has beef, bison, or goat, no potatoes…
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ZHURAVEL ANDRIY on Looking for feedback on my dogs diet & supplements
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Andrea Bogue on Raw dog food that sparks in microwave
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Myra Brown on Portion size recommendations