For those of us who have loved our dogs for a long time, like 8-10 or even 12 years, we have been their companions. One thing we might notice is that they are reluctant to eat like before. What causes this? Why are they not eating their usual foods? Is it due to a disease? What does their reluctance to eat mean? What are they indicating? Today, we will explore these questions.
Animals change their diet as they age. This is normal in 80% of animals, including those we keep as pets. Our beloved dogs are no exception. When our dog is classified as a senior, we might notice a change in his appearance. His face may look pale, and his jaws, teeth, tongue, and other parts of his mouth may not be well-suited for eating regular foods. According to his body’s condition, he needs a change in his daily food routine.
Suppose your dog used to run daily, play sports, and be very active in various activities, including regular physical exercise. We provided him with the appropriate food based on those activities. But now, if our dog is no longer doing those things, should we still feed him the same meals? No, not at all. We need to change his diet. We will remove some foods from his previous diet and add new ones suitable for his current age.
Is it a disease?
From the discussion above, we understand that this is not a disease. No, it is not. However, we must be cautious. If we neglect this issue, it could quickly turn into a disease because this matter is very sensitive and important. If we do not feed them the right food at the right age, they may develop various diseases, which should be avoided.
I hope this is clear to all of us. Now, we will discuss their food. Let’s get started.
For senior dogs, we can provide food in two ways:
- Domestic methods
- Ready-made store-bought methods
Let’s go into the details.
Home Method:
We want to make and feed very good food for senior dogs at home. I highly recommend homemade treats because they are packed with organic nutrients that you can’t find elsewhere. We can whip up a delicious recipe for our dog in just a few minutes.
Homemade dog food is easy to make with meat or ground turkey, rice, and vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of meat or ground turkey
- 2 cups of brown rice
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- 6 cups of water
- ½ (16 ounces) package of frozen broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower combination
Directions:
The main ingredients should be washed thoroughly with water before use. Slice the meat or whatever you are using. Place the ground turkey or meat, water, rice, and rosemary in a large Dutch oven. Stir the ingredients in the Dutch oven until the meat or ground turkey breaks apart. Once the ingredients are evenly combined, bring to a boil over high heat. Then, continue to cook on low heat for 20-22 minutes. There is no exact time limit; it depends on the heat level.
Add the frozen vegetables after boiling and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Then remove from heat and let it cool.
Now, the food is ready for your dog. You can store this dish in the fridge if you like.
You can use additional ingredients if you want to make the food more flavorful. Changing the type of meat every week can help keep your dog’s interest. For example, sometimes you can add turkey, chicken, beef, or liver. You can also add 6 beaten eggs and stir them into the boiling mixture as it cooks. Varying the grains each week is a good idea. Consider using lentils, barley, brown rice, or even oatmeal.
Make sure your garlic is cooked because raw garlic can make your dog sick. Never use onions as a vegetable because onions are toxic to dogs. Avoid gassy vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower; use them sparingly. Carrots, peas, green beans, and squash are great options for the frozen vegetable mix. You can also use eggshells to ensure your dog gets enough calcium. Bake the eggshells in a 300-degree oven for 10 minutes until they are crumbly, then blend them into a powder. You can mix a spoonful of eggshell powder into each meal.
