Should I change her diet?

Question

My almost 18 year old Maltese has started to go off her food, she usually eats her two meals a day with relish but now she eats it but doesnt seem to enjoy it as much. Should I feed her chicken or something different? She usually manages pet cubes for old dogs. Otherwise she is healthy and he vet says she is a tough little thing and could go on for another 2 years.

She is quite thin

Answer 1

I know this sounds really stupid, but when my ancient shih tzu did the same thing, we set her bowl on the phone book. Made it so she didn't have to bend as far to eat. She also enjoyed being hand-fed.
What good care she must have had so far to have lived to such an impressive age! Good luck!!

Answer 2

you really shouldn't "change" her food but just add to it, sometimes when you change food they can get the poops and make them more picky but adding boiled chicken or another dog food mixed in would be better. It may get her attention enough to want to eat more. They make dog food gravy you can squirt on or just get some wet food and give a little at a time (if she eats dry food now) if she is already eating wet food you can mix in plain white boiled rice or add a little of a different mushy brand of dog food. The key is to not let her lose weight she is a small breed but watching her weight will tell you how it is affecting her. Also you can make her food available all day long (if Possible) so if she is just being lazy she has her own buffet whenever she wants. Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

Have you had her teeth checked recently? They are maybe getting a bit lose or sore, that would cause her pain when she was eating. Try soaking her kibble in some gravey - get some granules and make it up with hot water. As well as tasting really good it will soften her food. If she is really quite thin, then add some chicken or liver to give her a bit extra for a while. If you are still having problems then ask your vet to check her out.

Answer 4

It might be a wise idea to switch to a complete soft food for older dogs. As they get older it can become difficult for them to chew up kibble, and soft food is more easily digested. The other alternative is soaking her food for 10 minutes in hot water so it softens. Give it a go. If that doesn't work take her back to the vets, they may be able to sugest something

Answer 5

Some boiled chicken would be good for her, perhaps a chopped up, boiled egg occasionally. Also, why not add a little low-fat cottage cheese or no-sugar, no-fat yogurt (which is good for digestion) to her food. Probably not a good idea to change her food at this age - just add tidbits to it to encourage her to eat.

Answer 6

No, sudden diet changes are never good. The question is why has she not been wanting to eat. You should have your veterinarian do some x-rays and bloodwork on her (even if it has been done recently). I dont mean to sound dismal, but dogs only stop eating for one reason, illness.

Answer 7

HI
Sounds like she could benefit from the Prescription diet from science diet when they get older they need something different. It is a good food.
LAmmy

Answer 8

from what i believe, a dog will not starve itself. your dog is older (18 yrs is amazing!!) so it is probably less active and needs to eat less. you should leave her food to eat if she wishes. i'm sure she will eat it when she is hungry!! dont worry, she sounds like an amazing old trooper who wont let anything get her down!! good luck!! =)

Answer 9

Dogs are like people. Their taste change. Try something different.

Answer 10

lol i think she is fine and just old.she probly is tired of eating the same thing day in and day out.