I have a 13 year old border collie and by accident 3 weeks ago I bought and gave him puppy food. However I found that he seems to have a lot more energy now and he seems happier.
He is also on a form of 'Beta-Blockers' because he is quite old and has a heart murmur.
Is it safe for me to continue to give him puppy food?
2007-06-25 23:32:18 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Old dogs need more protein in their diet, just like pups, which is why the puppy food is suiting him. I personally would feed him his usual food, and add some high protein food to it. I don't know what's in the puppy food, so can't recommend that you continue to give it. By high protein food, I mean some liver, kidney, heart, egg yolk. I also would add cooked vegetables. You can add the veg every day. An egg yolk twice per week, small amount of liver twice per week, same with kidney and heart.......so long as your dog is getting a mix of these over the week on top of his normal food, he'll be great. In that way his heart should not be affected.
2007-06-26 04:40:22 · answer #1 · answered by nellana 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He actually wont be getting the right nutrients. As a mature dog he needs different things than a puppy. He will have extra energy, but the puppy food is higher in calories to build a puppy up and give a puppy energy.
As an older dog, he should be on a mature dog food, ie for the older dog!
I would suggest getting some food right for his age, and mixing the puppy food and mature food together so you don't waste it.
2007-06-25 23:46:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
That's a little trick that has been passed around by breeders for several years. Puppy food often will keep a very old dog healthy and in good weight for longer than many other options. The only caveat I have heard is if the dogs kidneys are failing with age the increased protein of puppy food may not be good - but if their kidneys are good go for it.
2007-06-26 00:09:42 · answer #3 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Puppy food is just something that the dog food companies call different food to make more $$. If your dog is happier and healthier, keep feeding it that food! If you're curious about the actual nutritional content, check out www.dogfoodanalysis.com.
Good luck!
2007-06-25 23:44:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Puppy food has more calories in it than regular food, so you run the risk of making your dog overweight....and the weight wouldn't be good for his murmer. Maybe just one serving a day, or mix it in with his regular food, and that way he's getting all the good from the puppy food, but not having so much that it will affect his weight.
2007-06-26 00:08:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
As much I hate all "dog food", the stuff for puppies tastes better due to higher fat content :))
Your ole fella might just put on some extra weight :))))
2007-06-26 00:30:37 · answer #6 · answered by Rahaaa 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
most good pet foods have nutritional content on them- why not check out how different it is for the regular food and what you buy, but older as well as younger animals need more nutrients and energy so I would think it would be fine. I would check with the vets though.
2007-06-25 23:37:39 · answer #7 · answered by emily_jane2379 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if your dog is on beta- blockers i think that puppy food is not good for him because he will put on weight and that is the last thing he needs so wean him of it and put him back on what ever you gave him before or try giveing him tripe because they love it and its good for them or a bit of liver
2007-06-26 05:16:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it will do him any harm, I bought my 16 yr old dog those sticks to give them energy, she don't like them, but will have a chewy bar !
2007-06-25 23:52:13 · answer #9 · answered by Weed 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes its fine. my moms cat is 15 and lives on kitten food. its actually good for them because it has extra vitamins and minerals in
2007-06-25 23:35:33 · answer #10 · answered by Kat Moonsstar 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋