My 17 yr old dog has totally quit eating her food. I tried to ignore it as usually a dog will go back to eating once hungry enough. She lost 10 plus pounds and I have given her cat food and baby food and she gobbles up both. She will not eat chicken broth either I tried that. At 17 and being so skinny is cat food really that bad for her? I have been mixing rice in with the food to keep her from getting the runs.
By Courtney
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I bet that your dog has a tooth problem. If he/she is only eating food that is soft and mushy (baby food/rice etd) and refusing food that would need chewing (the chicken) I bet she/he has a toothache and it hurts to chew and break up food with its teeth. Get your dog to the vet as he will spot a bad tooth straight away. My 16 year old cat was the same. The tooth came out and he's tucking into his food again.
Bless you for trying to keep your old dog happy and healthy. I dont see any problem with feeding her cat food or baby food. One thing to consider is whether she has a dental problem.
At seventeen let her eat whatever she can I did that with my 18 year old dog you've brought him or her this far keep it up. Good luck. It hurts losing them but 18 is a great age for your pet.
I'm sorry, I don't think it's ever a good idea to give a dog cat food :( especially an older dog. Your dog probably has a health issue or doesn't feel well and can't tell you. I have an older dog too. He is an 11 year old healer about 40lbs. He sometimes gets stomach upsets and sometimes actually throws up. He won't eat his regular kibble most of the time.
I cook brown rice and give about a 1/2 cup at a time either mixed with kibble or plain depending on how well he's doing. He loves it and I have been able to keep weight on him. I have started giving brown rice to the 3 other dogs because it is so good for them. I have also just started giving him about 1/4 cup of mashed pumpkin with his kibble.
You can buy that in a can next to pumpkin pie filling. Make sure the can you grab says 100% pumpkin if you get it for your dog. Pie filling has spices in it, do not use it. Since I have started doing this he's eating better and feeling better too :-) my fussy chiweenie and pomchi even eat there kibble with a little mixed in. You may want to give your dog 3 - 4 smaller meals a day of brown rice to help get weight back. :-) Good luck!
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