My miniature pinscher is 14 and is starting to have trouble eating dry dog food because it's too hard. He likes it and will eat it, but I can tell it's getting harder for him to chew it. I'd rather NOT feed him moist all the time or 'Purina's Moist and Meaty'. Just wondering what others have tried for their senior dogs... any suggestions?
Thanks!
2007-06-16 05:57:09 · 7 answers · asked by MC BC 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Maybe you could try the food that comes in rolls. I buy the Pet Botanics brand from Petsmart and use it as treats for my dogs. It's not completely dry, but it's not really wet either. Moisture in it is 40% max. It's a lot softer than the dry food and you can slice it as thin as you like for him. It's also got decent ingredients as opposed to the crap they put in foods like 'moist and meaty'. You can try it and just see how you like it. I have an older Pekingese who doesn't have as many teeth as he used to (still eats dry kibble though) and he loves this roll food, which is surprising because he has always been a picky eater.
Other brands make the rolls too, so if there is a particular brand of food you like, then you may want to buy theirs if they make it. (I don't think Petsmart carries any other roll foods, but other stores probably do. I know Petco carries Natural Balance)
Anyways, I buy the big rolls because it's a better deal and just slice it and put it in plastic baggies. I keep some in the fridge and the extra goes in the freezer to use for later, so it stays fresh.
~Please do not feed Beneful. Honestly, it is one of the worst dog foods~
2007-06-16 06:22:11 · answer #1 · answered by marina 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I also have a 14yr. old with some tooth loss. I have been buying Purina Moist and Meaty (both varieties) AND also picking out the moist pieces in the Beneful that she and the others have been eatin for a coupke of years now. She had skin issues and I switch back and forth with the Healthy Radiance and Healthy Harvest. I also tried some organic canned food that she likes. If you try the Beneful it is easy to pick out the moist...oh, and the little small brown pieces are also easy for her to chew. Hope this helps.
2007-06-16 06:08:42 · answer #2 · answered by bette r 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I think he would love a healthy home cooked diet. Lean meat, steamed vegetables and pasta or sweet potato. I ran the food through a food processor for my senior dog because it made it easier to chew and digest. I also knew exactly what she was eating and could eliminate salt and fat. I made calcium by boiling eggs, drying the shells in the fridge overnight and putting them in a small coffee grinder. It's pure calcium so you would just need to mix a tiny bit in his food.
2007-06-16 06:04:31 · answer #3 · answered by saraly_11385 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can either moisten his kibble, feed a good quality canned food such as Canidae, Wellness, Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, Merrick just to name a few or go to a homecooked diet.
2007-06-16 07:25:55 · answer #4 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
puppy food may have too many calories for your older dog (discontinue if he gains weight suddenly!). You might try warming a little water and putting on it to soften it....he might like that.
2007-06-16 06:17:12 · answer #5 · answered by saurus3118 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just add water to his hard food. My girlfriend has a cat with no teeth and she does this. It will moisten it
2007-06-16 06:23:37 · answer #6 · answered by AnimalManiac 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try getting puppy food. it is eaiser to digest and chew. its formulated especially for the puppy's growing body. it works for older dogs too. hope that helps!
2007-06-16 06:09:24 · answer #7 · answered by ☼mischevious☼ 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋