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Help!: Finicky Senior

2K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  pawzaddict 
#1 ·
Hello,

I have a miniature Dachshund who is about 10 years old. She's always been something of a picky eater, but it seems to have gone to a new extreme and I'm just not sure that she's getting the ideal nutrition to help her life as long and happy a life as possible. Fortunately she is still quite active, has a sleek coat, and does not appear to be underweight (though she doesn't have anything to lose either).

To a certain extent I have been uneducated as far as grain-free diets, and I am only starting to learn more now. What I'm curious about is the fact that a lot of the "higher class" dog foods have all sorts of vegetables mixed in with them as well. Not feeding them grain makes sense because they're carnivores, but by that same justification, are all of these veggies really good for them too?

I would very much appreciate suggestions as to good dog food brands that are available at your typical Petco and are somewhat comparable to the prices of something like Purina Pro Plan (which is what she's been getting).
 
#2 ·
First thing first-visit the vet. Since she's senior get a full blood panel and urinalysis. Make sure something else isn't going on. Generally if a dog stops eating or stops eating what they did before-their are big issues going on-it's generally not the dog turning into a resturaunt critique. So vet first.

AND welcome!

And then if everything is fine, work with your vet, or get a referral to make a complete diet at home. You can even add to a food that your dog prefers. Mandy, although not picky with human food (she's even eating lettuce now)-is picky with dog food. So she gets it mixed with rice and chicken broth (reduced sodium, no garlic or onion)-but work with your vet to make the food more palatable but not dangerous (garlic and onion can be dangerous over time or in large amounts, so are other normal human foods)-and healthy and balanced.

We're talking quality of life over quantity so in some aspects you can say 'well they like it and I'm not concerned with ____' but-definitely check with the vet first.

Also-try adding some canned salmon :) Its a big hit here, especially with some cherries that I've removed the pitts from :)
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the welcome!

She probably is due for another vet visit... I'll take her by soon.

But as I've said, she's always been picky. I may just be telling myself that she's gotten more picky recently. I just don't know whether there's something she would be more likely to eat. Or should I just continue to let her practically self-regulate on how much she eats and when she eats it?

She's been getting Purina Pro Plan and after doing more research I'm not convinced that it's the best brand to be feeding her.
 
#4 ·
well, i hear really good things about taste of the wild, and yes it does cost more than the purina does, BUT because the food is of higher quality, she probably doesn't need quite as much of it so tho you wouldn't break even at the end of the bag, it shouldn't be as bad as you might think..

for the higher end foods, TOTW is actually on the cheaper side too...

i actually feed my dog kirklands... not the highest, but also not the lowest on the quality scale... bc that is so expensive, i am able to supplement with pricier treats, canned foods, and human foods that i add in...

oh... i forgot to say welcome :)



 
#5 ·
As long as she gets a vet ok that nothing is wrong it's ok to pry her along with nummy food ;)

Yogurt, milk, egg and fish are great things to add to food, as are rice and soup broth ;) Totally irresistable :)

But definitely if this has started, vet first, then food prying ;)
 
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