Please help?

Question

I have a 12 1/2 year old lab/mastiff mix that has lost a lot of weight over the last couple of years. I am trying to get him fattened back up again, but so far haven't had any luck. I leave him with a full bowl of food every day, but he just isn't into in much. He'll eat when he's hungy but won't eat much. His teeth aren't bad, so that's not the issue.
I can't afford expensive dog food or vitamin supplements but need something to help him gain some weight. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you in advance for your help.

Answer 1

have you talked to your vet about it to rule out a health problem? i'd start there. if that isn't the problem, there are things you can add to his food. cottage cheese, yogurt, raw eggs. i mean you don't want to go overboard with any one of those things, but switching them up might entice him to eat more. also, get him a kong and leave it stuffed with food mixed with unsalted peanut butter. peanut butter has lots of fat and calories.

Answer 2

I understand that dogs are expensive, but there are certain costs that come with owning a dog that you have to be prepared to be responsible for.

First of all, expensive dog food is not always the best. Check the back for Nutrious ingredients. Nutro is a great brand and not overly pricey (of course a little more then grocery store brands) but still affordable.

Also, if your dog is having difficulty with eating, elminating, and sleeping, those are all signs something is wrong. A vet will usually work out a payment plan with you.

Also, your dog is getting on in years, it is normal they lose a little weight and lose a little appetite.

Answer 3

It would depend on what food you feed him now? Make the food special by mixing in a little wet or canned food in with the dry. If that does not work you night want to try puppy food. Make sure he does not gain to much weight it could be hard on his body.

Answer 4

Hi, sorry to hear about your dog, does he have any lumps?? My previous dog, had the same problem, a rotty, he started losing weight, then devloped this lump, well it ended up to be bone cancer where we had to amputate. I had a garage sale in my town and made flyers explaining I needed the money for my dogs surgery with a pic of him, i raised 1800 dollars. I would take him to the vet, see what he has, defintaly would take him asap. I you dont have the money, try to raise money for your dog, and you can ask the vet to see if he can do any better with the fee. Good luck to you and your dog.

Answer 5

it's common for older dogs to lose weight it's just something that comes with age. If it's a health issue and you need him to fatten up a little more exercise him a little longer (whatever way you exercise him. walks, treadmill, etc), and the workout will build up his appetite. Also try leaving his dish out for longer intervals allowing him to come back to it later if he wishes.

Answer 6

We have always fed our dog table scraps in supplement to their dog food. They generally don't like to eat the dog food, after table scraps, but eventually they learn. If you feed him table scraps, this may be the problem. Simply cut the table scraps into smaller portions, and with gravys and grease and such like, mix it into his dog food. If you DON'T feed him table scraps, you really should start. They LOVE them! And when you do, be sure to give him fattening meat, grease (that you drained from the hamburger should work), the yucky meat that you don't use to cook, etc.

Also, if your dog is 12, he probably doesn't need as much to eat. He's getting old. He might have arthritis in his jaws. Or, he might just not be as active, so isn't eating as much. Does he get plenty of exercise, and fresh water daily?

Hope I was able to help.

Answer 7

Try the Iam's dog food sauce. I had the same problem with mine a while back. I poured a little bit of that on there and mixed it in real well and he ate it right up. He went from 90 lbs. back up to 140 lbs. over time (he is a german rottie). It really works.

Answer 8

Sounds like it could be cancer. Although it may or may not help him much in gaining weight. I would suggest making home made food for him.

Rice (whole grain), carrots, celery, chicken or beef, potatoes, all cooked up to a soft texture. Absolutely NO ONIONS as it poisons their liver/kidneys,

Answer 9

At the pet store, you can get a pill for dogs that won't eat much and it will get them fatter. Or you can go to the vet.

Answer 10

I had to switch to canned (soft) food in the later years of my Akita's life. She could no longer chew or swallow the dry dog food I was giving her.