In canines, changes in health naturally come with age. It can be concerning to notice your older dog losing weight, so owners should know when its time to see the vet. Our Los Angeles vets discuss weight loss in older dogs, and how you can look after your senior pet.
Are you struggling with an older dog that has lost weight, and you can’t seem to put it back on? Trust me, I’ve been there with my senior pup Max, and it can be quite worrying to see those ribs starting to show. But don’t panic – there are plenty of effective strategies to help your aging companion regain those lost pounds.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share practical tips to help your senior dog gain weight safely. But first, let’s understand why your old friend might be losing weight in the first place.
Why Is My Senior Dog Losing Weight?
Before trying to fatten up your dog it’s crucial to understand what’s causing the weight loss. Weight loss in older dogs can happen for several reasons
- Medical conditions (diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, dental problems)
- Reduced appetite due to aging
- Difficulty chewing from dental issues
- Depression or anxiety
- Unintentional underfeeding
- Poor nutrient absorption
- Parasites
According to veterinarians, if your dog has lost 10% or more of their normal weight, it’s time to visit the vet. This is especially important if your dog:
- Seems stressed or is whining, panting, or pacing
- Is severely constipated or has a distended belly
- Appears confused, depressed, or lethargic
- Is acting differently or out of character
- Has vomiting or diarrhea
- Stops eating completely
22 Ways to Help Your Senior Dog Gain Weight
1. Add an Extra Meal
If your dog currently eats once a day, try adding a second meal. If they eat twice daily, consider a third small meal. Multiple small meals throughout the day are easier for your old dog to digest.
“When I noticed my 14-year-old retriever Sarah losing weight I started giving her four small meals instead of two larger ones,” says Jessica a senior dog parent. “It made such a difference in just a couple weeks!”
2. Switch to Canned Food
Many senior dogs find wet food more appetizing than dry kibble. The stronger aroma and softer texture can entice them to eat more.
3. Elevate Their Food Bowl
Joint pain can make it difficult for older dogs to bend down to eat. Try raising their food bowl to a comfortable height – but not so high that they need to stretch their neck.
4. Add Food Toppers
Gravy, chicken broth, or freeze-dried meat chunks can make food more enticing. My old dog goes crazy when I add a bit of low-sodium chicken broth to his kibble!
5. Make Mealtime Fun
Use interactive toys like Kongs filled with their food, or puzzle feeders. Sometimes a change in routine is all they need to spark their appetite.
6. Switch to Higher Quality Dog Food
Look for dog food with:
- Protein as the first ingredient
- Real meat (not by-products)
- Limited ingredients list
- Higher calorie content suitable for weight gain
7. Warm Their Food
Slightly warming food releases more aroma and makes it more appetizing. Try microwaving wet food for a few seconds or adding warm water to dry food.
8. Gradually Increase Exercise
It might seem counterintuitive, but light exercise can stimulate appetite. Short, gentle walks can help boost hunger naturally.
9. Try a Different Food Bowl
Sometimes simply changing the material or shape of the bowl can make a difference. Dogs with vision loss might do better eating from a plate rather than a deep bowl.
10. Experiment with New Flavors
Your dog might be bored with their current food. Try different protein sources – chicken, beef, fish, lamb – to see what they prefer.
11. Cut Down on Treats
If your dog fills up on treats, they might ignore their actual meals. Save the calories for nutritious foods instead.
12. Hold the Bowl for Them
Dogs with dementia or sensory issues might have trouble finding or recognizing their food bowl. Holding it for them can help.
13. Try a New Brand of Food
Sometimes a complete change in food can reignite interest in eating. Remember to transition gradually over a week to avoid digestive upset.
14. Make Homemade Meals
Home-cooked meals can be more appetizing and nutritious, but consult your vet first to ensure they’re balanced. One of my senior dog clients thrived on a vet-approved homemade diet of lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats.
15. Bake Canned Food
Baking wet food can change its texture and enhance the smell, making it more appealing to picky eaters.
16. Feed in a Different Location
A change of scenery might help. If you always feed in the kitchen, try the living room or backyard occasionally.
17. Try Hand Feeding
Many senior dogs eat better when hand-fed. This personal connection can encourage them to eat more.
18. Slice Up Roll-Style Dog Food
Foods like Red Barn that come in rolls can be sliced up and fed as “treats” throughout the day, adding extra calories.
19. Improve Digestive Health
Adding probiotics and digestive enzymes can help your dog better absorb nutrients from their food.
20. Reconsider Senior Dog Food
Many senior formulas are lower in fat and calories. If your dog is underweight, they might need adult food or a formula specifically for weight gain instead.
21. Add More Protein
Contrary to old beliefs, senior dogs often need MORE protein, not less. Quality protein helps maintain muscle mass that seniors tend to lose.
22. Add Healthy Human Foods
With your vet’s approval, these human foods can add calories and nutrients:
- Boiled chicken breast
- Sardines or mackerel (in water)
- Scrambled eggs
- Cottage cheese or plain yogurt
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkin (plain, not pie filling)
- Ground turkey
- Cooked carrots
- Quinoa
What to Feed a Senior Dog That’s Losing Weight
Older dogs, particularly very old dogs, need calorie-dense foods so they won’t need to eat as much to meet their energy requirements. Here’s what to look for:
- High-quality protein sources that are easily digestible
- Moderate to high-fat content (unless contraindicated by conditions like pancreatitis)
- Calorie-dense foods that provide more energy in smaller portions
- Fiber to help with digestion and satiety
I’ve found that premium senior-specific foods with higher calorie content work well for most older dogs. For my own senior pet, adding a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt and a drizzle of salmon oil did wonders for his appetite and weight.
Special Feeding Strategies for Weight Gain
Change Their Feeding Schedule
Interestingly, timing meals can impact weight gain. Consider giving your dog a smaller portion in the morning and a larger amount in the evening before bedtime. This may help their body store nutrients as fat rather than burning them off.
Exercise to Build Muscle
While this might seem counterintuitive, appropriate exercise helps build muscle mass, which contributes to healthy weight gain. Gentle, regular activity coupled with a protein-rich diet can help your senior dog maintain and build muscle.
When to Worry About Weight Loss
While some weight fluctuation is normal in aging dogs, significant or rapid weight loss is concerning. Contact your veterinarian immediately if:
- Your dog has lost more than 10% of their body weight
- The weight loss is sudden rather than gradual
- Your dog shows other concerning symptoms
- They’re eating normally but still losing weight
- They’ve stopped eating entirely
Remember that some medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer can cause weight loss even when your dog seems to be eating well.
A Personal Story
My neighbor’s 13-year-old Lab, Cooper, started losing weight despite having a good appetite. After ruling out medical issues, their vet suggested adding an extra meal plus mixing in some canned food with his kibble. They also started warming his food slightly and adding a spoonful of pumpkin for fiber and salmon oil for healthy fats.
Within a month, Cooper had gained back most of his lost weight and had more energy. The simple changes made a big difference for him!
Final Thoughts
Helping your senior dog gain weight takes patience and consistency. While it’s tempting to want quick results, focus on slow, steady weight gain over time.
Always consult your veterinarian before making significant changes to your dog’s diet or if you’re concerned about weight loss. They can help rule out medical causes and provide personalized recommendations for your faithful companion.
What strategies have you tried with your senior dog? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you in the comments!
Remember, every dog is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. The key is to be observant, patient, and willing to try different approaches until you find what works for your beloved senior pup.
Why Your Dog May Lose Weight if They’re Still Eating
If your dog doesnt exhibit the aforementioned causes and symptoms, you may be perplexed as to why theyre losing weight despite eating normally or exhibiting a normal appetite. Different justifications for this include:
- Changes in diet – either the brand of food your senior dog is eating or its ingredients (i.e., sometimes kibble companies will change their recipe and the number of calories per serving)
- Liver disease
- Maldigestion disorders that disrupt the bodys ability to break food down into nutrients
- Malabsorption disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease
- Diseases such as diabetes, which can cause loss of weight and muscle mass
While there is no need to assume the worst, most veterinarians will advise you to seek a thorough medical examination if your dog has lost 10% or more of his or her normal body weight.
If your dog has lost this much weight within the past year or less, its important that your vet conduct a full physical checkup. Your vet should know about and monitor for:
- Changes in behavior or character
- Signs of stress or excessive whining, pacing, or panting
- Constipation or a distended belly
- Lethargy, confusion, or depression
- Complete loss of appetite
- Dry heaving, vomiting, or diarrhea
Why Your Old Dog May Be Losing Weight
If your older dog is losing weight, it may happen gradually until you notice subtle differences in their body, or they may drop weight suddenly. No matter the pace of your senior pups weight loss, its important to pin down why its occurring.
An old dog losing weight or muscle mass may point down to an underlying health issue – and sometimes this problem can be serious.
With any health problem, catching it early is key to managing disease or illness and ensuring your older dog maintains the best quality of life possible in their golden years.
Youre in a great position to watch for any subtle changes because you see your furry friend every day, even if they initially seem inconsequential. Keep track of any changes you notice, as your veterinarian may need to know. Its crucial to keep an eye out for any noticeable changes in appetite or weight as your dog ages.
In this post, well discuss some common causes of weight loss in dogs, when you should be concerned, how a dog could lose weight even if eating, what to feed an old dog thats losing weight, and how to get your senior dog to gain weight.
How to Fatten a Dog Up Quickly : Dog Training & Basic Obedience
FAQ
How do I fatten up my senior dog?
Is it normal for a senior dog to get skinny?
Why is my senior dog getting bony?
Like people, as pets age they have muscle loss. Older pets are less able to process protein due to a reduction in growth hormones.Oct 31, 2023
Why is my old dog skinny but she eats?
If your dog is skinny despite eating a lot, it could indicate an underlying health issue like parasites, malabsorption, or metabolic disorders. It’s essential to consult with a veterinarian to determine the cause and get appropriate treatment.