As your dog ages, his dietary needs also change. Some of the symptoms that dogs experience as they age include a loss of appetite, a slower metabolism, and various health problems within the body, making it challenging to maintain their weight. If you want to keep your senior dog’s weight in check, you’ve probably searched for “what to feed a senior dog to gain weight?”
In this blog post, I’ll share with you some of the foods you can feed to help your senior dog gain weight safely and healthily. I will also answer some common questions that pet parents around the world ask about feeding their senior dogs and that come to mind at different times.
Why Senior Dogs Lose Weight ?
Before you make any decisions about your senior dog’s food, you must know why dogs lose weight as they age. Here are some of the reasons why dogs lose weight:
- Reduced appetite: Older dogs can lose their sense of smell, suffer from various illnesses, or in many cases, have dental problems. All of which can lead to a loss of appetite.
- Slower metabolism: As dogs age, their activity decreases, so their calorie needs also decrease, but if they don’t eat enough, they can still lose weight.
- Health conditions: Among the problems that dogs, like humans, face with age, some of the most common are diabetes, kidney disease, liver problems, cancer, etc. Any of these can cause a dog to lose weight.
- Digestive issues: You are feeding your dog, but if its digestive system is not working properly, if the food is not digested and absorbed properly, in other words, if it has digestive problems, then the dog may also lose weight.
If your dog is losing weight unexpectedly, consult your vet to rule out any serious health concerns.
What to Feed a Senior Dog to Gain Weight?
To help your older dog gain weight, you should first look at his food. Very often we feed puppies specific food. Like wise senior dogs also need special food. Choose foods that are easily digestible and that meet his nutritional and calorie needs. Here are some of the foods that can help your dog gain weight.
Homemade Food
The best way to feed an older dog is to prepare food for it at home and include all kinds of nutritious ingredients in it, but you have to make sure not to give too many spices and fillers, and there should be a balance in all kinds of food.
High-Quality Senior Dog Food
If you can’t make your own food at home, you can buy it from the market, but make sure it’s a food specifically made for senior dogs. These foods are often high in calories, which can give your dog extra nutrition to help with aging problems. Choose brands that sell real meat as the main ingredient and do not use any filler like corn or soy.
Wet Food or Canned Dog Food
Wet food is often very tasty and convenient for older dogs. This food is very convenient for dogs with dental problems because it contains nutrients that can help with hydration and weight gain in dogs, as well as calories and moisture content.
Protein-Rich Foods
Protein is one of the best ingredients for building and maintaining a dog’s health or preventing decay, so senior dog food needs to contain plenty of adequate protein. See if lean meats like chicken, turkey or beef are in their diet. If not, try including them. You can also include eggs as they are also a great source of protein and healthy fats.
Healthy Fats
Add healthy fats to your senior dog’s diet. These fats don’t put too much strain on their bodies and can also help them gain weight. Try adding a small amount of olive oil, coconut oil, or fish oil to your senior dog’s food. These types of fats help maintain a dog’s skin and coat.
Carbohydrates for Energy
Senior dogs need energy in their diet and to replenish that energy through carbohydrates, you need to include complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, brown rice, and oatmeal in their diet. These carbohydrates meet their essential calorie and energy needs, making them a great food for your senior dog who has a reduced digestive system.
Dog-Safe Supplements
If the weight problem is not resolved with the ingredients found in the adult dog’s regular food, they may need to have their food specially formulated. In this case, it may be necessary to add some supplements to the food prepared for them, such as various weight gain powders or high-calorie gels. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian before doing this.
Tips for Feeding a Senior Dog to Gain Weight
- Feed Smaller, Frequent Meals: OInstead of getting your older dog used to one or two large meals, feed him small, frequent meals throughout the day. This will be nutritious and easy for him to digest.
- Warm Up Their Food: Before feeding an older dog, warm its food slightly. This can enhance the aroma of the food, which your dog will love and eat with relish.
- Encourage Hydration: It’s not enough to just focus on food. You should also make sure that your dog’s water needs are met. Make sure they get enough water or water-based foods throughout the day, and that the water your dog drinks is very clean.
- Monitor Their Weight: Regardless of whether you feed your older dog homemade or store-bought food, always monitor your dog’s reaction to the food. Sudden weight gain or sudden weight loss both indicate a health problem, and you should consult your veterinarian.
FAQs About Feeding a Senior Dog to Gain Weight
How can I tell if my senior dog is underweight?
You can see if your dog is underweight by feeling their ribs and spine. If these ribs are very high and visible or easily felt with a slight fat covering, your dog may be underweight.
Can I feed my senior dog puppy food to help them gain weight?
Puppy food is also high in calories, but for this reason alone, it may not be ideal for your older dog. Because puppy food has a special variety and ratio of nutrients, young dog food is especially good. Keep an eye out for special foods for senior dogs or weight gainer dog foods prescribed by your veterinarian and stick to them.
Are human foods safe for helping my dog gain weight?
Not all human foods are suitable for dogs, but some foods, such as lean meat, eggs, sweet potatoes, etc., are beneficial and safe for dogs. You can feed this food to your senior dog. But never feed your dog human foods that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, onions, etc.
How long does it take for a senior dog to gain weight?
To avoid health problems, your dog needs to gain weight, but it won’t happen overnight. With the right food choices and a proper diet plan, you’ll see changes within two to four weeks. However, since every dog is different, a specific time frame may not be effective for all dogs.
Should I exercise my senior dog while they’re gaining weight?
Yes, you can do that. Light exercise like a short walk or play can help keep your dog healthy and active overall, but be careful not to overexert yourself, especially if your dog has joint problems.
Final Thoughts
It may take a lot of time and effort to maintain and get results from the diet you create for your senior dog to gain weight. Provide nutritious food and keep the body hydrated. Keep giving him balanced food regularly. Maintain a specific diet and above all, monitor his development. After a few days, hopefully, your senior dog’s problem will be resolved. If it does not resolve, then definitely consult a veterinarian.
Remember that your dog is unique, so recipes or food that work for other dogs may not work for your dog also. If you are not sure about what would be best, then definitely consult a dietitian.