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-   -   My older dog won't eat (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=145245)

  • Oct 26, 2007, 11:47 AM
    Itune88
    My older dog won't eat
    I have a 14 year old Tibetan Terrier. She won't eat her kibble any more. So I've been feeding her raw ground meat, and she doesn't always want that. But I don't feel she is getting a well balanced diet. What things can I try to feed her?
  • Oct 26, 2007, 12:00 PM
    Gernald
    Due to your dogs age you are right to try and get a well balanced diet for her.
    Certain foods aren't good for dogs so be careful when you're making your own food. There are many recipies online you just have to look for them. Veggies are also really good for dogs (not all are good though). They're like humans they need a variety of vitamins and minerals from various parts of the food pyramid. If your unsure about anything talk to your vet I'm sure they'll be able to advise you on what types of foods your dog needs and maybe even give you vitamins for her.
  • Oct 26, 2007, 12:27 PM
    labman
    For a small dog like yours, 14 isn't that old, with good care, she should have a number of good years. I have a 14 year old Lab that is still going strong. When she wouldn't eat one morning a couple of years ago, I got her to the vet that day, and she was soon chowing down with vigor. Raw meat alone is a very poor diet for a dog. There is also significant risk of food poising both for her, and if you aren't careful about sanitation, you. See Raw meat diets spark concern - January 15, 2005 Yes, you can find recipes on the net. Every kook that is selling this or that that you need has a web site promoting such diets. Unfortunately despite all their glowing anecdotes, dogs on home made diets seem to do well, and then suddenly die of an inflamed pancreas.

    1. Forget everything in the first post except seeing the vet.

    2. See the vet.

    3. Follow the vet's instructions, which I am sure will include getting her back on a commercial dog chow.

    4. Read the sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post254171
  • Oct 27, 2007, 06:20 AM
    RubyPitbull
    Itune, you need to get your dog into the vet for a check up, as labman points out. At your dog's age, there could be a physical reason why she isn't eating. Pain from arthritis or anything else, can make a dog go off their food. A thorough check up is in order here. Please do not assume that your dog just needs a change up in food. At her age, switching up food is not a good idea and can cause her more problems in the form of gastric distress. This all should be discussed with your vet.
  • Oct 27, 2007, 07:13 AM
    bushg
    If your 14 year old has always thrived on commercial dog food, and she has suddenly stopped eating then you really need to take her to the vet. Feeding her raw meat alone will not give her the vitamins and nutrients she needs.
  • Dec 6, 2007, 05:44 PM
    myfranz
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Itune88
    I have a 14 year old Tibetan Terrier. She won't eat her kibble any more. So I've been feeding her raw ground meat, and she doesn't always want that. But I don't feel she is getting a well balanced diet. What things can I try to feed her?

    If you haven't done so, please take your dog to the vet to be checked. This is an elderly animal, they can get ill very quickly if they are not eating. Additionally, she may be having teeth issues, which may be why she is turning down hard food--a cavity or an abscess maybe. An oral infection, could become a blood infection easily, especially in an old dog, blood infections (septicemia) are deadly. Though I hate to say it, and I have been there, your girl may be winding down her days. Please take her soon. Good luck to you and her.
  • Dec 6, 2007, 05:51 PM
    kadit
    Unfortunately, we had the same problem with our aging lab mix. Our vet said it would be best to put him down due to his age, but his appetite being off didn't seem to justify it. As I come from a rural area a wise old farm wife, who's nursed dogs through everything from parvo and badger run-ins, was kind enough to give me some advice. She said to take a pound of deer burger (wild venison) and cook it and mix it with some cooked instant rice. To this I was to add some senior vitamins, which can be purchased at most major stores, by crushing them and mixing them in. The ratio of rice to burger is generally about half and half, but she said that different dogs prefer different things and to experiement. She also told me that if I couldn't get him to eat this that there wasn't much I could do for him anyway. I don't know if this is an option for you but I hope it helps. Good luck!

    PS The reason she said to use deer and not cow was that corn-fed domestic stock tend to have higher disposable fats thereby being richer than wild game and the deer would be easier on his digestive system. It must also be said however that this dog has been raised in this area and eaten these kinds of things before. It may affect another dog differently, but our lab is still alive and kicking and its been three years. After a couples months of feeding him this mix a couple times a week, and making sure his normal food as available should he want it, he improved dramatically.

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