Senior dog food

Emoore · 02-06-2012, 06:38 PM

I have always been one to say that senior, large breed, etc kibbles are a gimmick. Rocky was eating an all life stages food quite healthfully and happily until one day he became very very sick. After a some blood tests we narrowed the issue down to his liver (some of you may remember this). His holistic vet had us do a variety of things at once to get the problem under control, including switching from the 25% protein, beef-based kibble he was eating, to Precise Senior, which is 18 (EIGHTEEN!) percent protein, and chicken based. Except chicken meal is the second ingredient; rice is the first.

Everything in me rebels at paying more for a "senior" food that is so low in protein and so high in rice. But, but, but. . . . he's doing really well. We finished all the liver support meds the vet put him on, and he's still healthy with his liver enzymes in normal range. We're monitoring liver enzymes and everything is currently hunky dory on the senior food.

I don't know for a fact it was the higher-protein, beef-based ALS food that caused the issue, but I'm hesitant to try what I consider to be a better food than the senior food he's eating now, because I don't want to drop another two-weeks' pay at the vet's office.

What would you do?

mysweetkaos · 02-06-2012, 07:09 PM

I would stick with the senior. I am just too "what if" when it comes to senior health. If he is doing well I would stick with what you're doing. If the senior is that much pricier maybe look for a non senior food with the same protein ratio?

Clyde · 02-06-2012, 07:29 PM

That is weird usually with seniors foods I notice that the protein is a touch higher and the fat much lower as well the fiber is higher. I always thought the slight raise in protein and lowering of fat made sense because seniors dogs usually have trouble maintaining muscle mass. I guess not all company's look at senior foods the same.

But yes I would stick with what you have switched him to.

mysweetkaos · 02-06-2012, 07:38 PM

@ Clyde...I think there is a line of thinking that with arthritis and those problems higher protein is a good thing. However if there is an underlying liver problem (or just age related slowing) it can worsen those problems as it is harder to filter the excess out. So I think like so many things it would depend on the individual dog.

arycrest · 02-06-2012, 11:33 PM

IMHO if it seems to be working I'd continue to use it!

Bridget · 02-10-2012, 09:57 AM

My vet recommended the lower protein version of the food we use for Heidi, now that she is a senior. She seems to be doing well on it (but she was also doing well on the higher protein kind too). I would stick with what you are doing now since it seems to be working.

BlackGSD · 02-13-2012, 11:53 AM

While I agree about not believing in senior, lite, ect foods.

With dog that has had issues and is now doing well (ESPECIALLY a senior.), I say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

msvette2u · 02-13-2012, 12:30 PM

I agree. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Holly Bear (Pom - Poo here for hospice care) is on freaking Merrick canned food. Most days she eats 2x a day.
If I heat it, it smells like human food.
And I'll be the 1st to say that I hate giving dogs canned food. But...it makes her happy so she gets it.
Our seniors are on borrowed time anyway, may as well enjoy life while they still can.

Chicagocanine · 02-19-2012, 09:34 PM

I've found that my senior dogs actually needed to go on higher protein foods to keep from losing weight and muscle mass as they got older.

If you do want to switch foods, this website has some good info on liver problems in dogs, including dietary information:
DogAware.com Health: Liver Disease in Dogs

Emoore · 02-19-2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicagocanine

I've found that my senior dogs actually needed to go on higher protein foods to keep from losing weight and muscle mass as they got older.

I definitely agree with this, which is part of why I was so hesitant to feed a low fat/low protein food. I do think his body composition has changed for the worse by a little bit, but whether that's due to the diet change or the decreased activity level due to the Texas Monsoon season is up for debate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicagocanine

If you do want to switch foods, this website has some good info on liver problems in dogs, including dietary information:
DogAware.com Health: Liver Disease in Dogs

Thanks, there's some good information there.

02-06-2012, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	Senior dog food I have always been one to say that senior, large breed, etc kibbles are a gimmick. Rocky was eating an all life stages food quite healthfully and happily until one day he became very very sick. After a some blood tests we narrowed the issue down to his liver (some of you may remember this). His holistic vet had us do a variety of things at once to get the problem under control, including switching from the 25% protein, beef-based kibble he was eating, to Precise Senior, which is 18 (EIGHTEEN!) percent protein, and chicken based. Except chicken meal is the second ingredient; rice is the first. Everything in me rebels at paying more for a "senior" food that is so low in protein and so high in rice. But, but, but. . . . he's doing really well. We finished all the liver support meds the vet put him on, and he's still healthy with his liver enzymes in normal range. We're monitoring liver enzymes and everything is currently hunky dory on the senior food. I don't know for a fact it was the higher-protein, beef-based ALS food that caused the issue, but I'm hesitant to try what I consider to be a better food than the senior food he's eating now, because I don't want to drop another two-weeks' pay at the vet's office. What would you do? __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

02-06-2012, 07:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
mysweetkaos Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,246	I would stick with the senior. I am just too "what if" when it comes to senior health. If he is doing well I would stick with what you're doing. If the senior is that much pricier maybe look for a non senior food with the same protein ratio? __________________ Candice Mr Sherman Tank Everyday brings a new challenge Kaos

02-06-2012, 07:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
mysweetkaos Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,246	@ Clyde...I think there is a line of thinking that with arthritis and those problems higher protein is a good thing. However if there is an underlying liver problem (or just age related slowing) it can worsen those problems as it is harder to filter the excess out. So I think like so many things it would depend on the individual dog. __________________ Candice Mr Sherman Tank Everyday brings a new challenge Kaos

02-06-2012, 11:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
arycrest Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 8,092	IMHO if it seems to be working I'd continue to use it! __________________ Gayle & the Hooligans Mac, Slider, Bruiser, & Faith MY BRIDGE KIDS: Andy, Abbey, Tasha, Tex, Echo, Yukon, JR, Too, Niki, Bo, Ringer, Kelly, & Honey The Hooligans Photo Albums!

02-13-2012, 11:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
BlackGSD Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 7,795	While I agree about not believing in senior, lite, ect foods. With dog that has had issues and is now doing well (ESPECIALLY a senior.), I say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. __________________ Tracy Siren vom Banach { Sable female GSD 3-20-08} R.I.P. Wrangler male ACD/Aussie mix. 9-29-99 to8-29-11.

02-06-2012, 07:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Clyde Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 361	That is weird usually with seniors foods I notice that the protein is a touch higher and the fat much lower as well the fiber is higher. I always thought the slight raise in protein and lowering of fat made sense because seniors dogs usually have trouble maintaining muscle mass. I guess not all company's look at senior foods the same. But yes I would stick with what you have switched him to.

02-10-2012, 09:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
Bridget Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,401	My vet recommended the lower protein version of the food we use for Heidi, now that she is a senior. She seems to be doing well on it (but she was also doing well on the higher protein kind too). I would stick with what you are doing now since it seems to be working.

02-13-2012, 12:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
msvette2u Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 5,533	I agree. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Holly Bear (Pom - Poo here for hospice care) is on freaking Merrick canned food. Most days she eats 2x a day. If I heat it, it smells like human food. And I'll be the 1st to say that I hate giving dogs canned food. But...it makes her happy so she gets it. Our seniors are on borrowed time anyway, may as well enjoy life while they still can. __________________ Ruger v. Sunnyside Stray 4-11-11

02-19-2012, 09:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
Chicagocanine Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 5,520	I've found that my senior dogs actually needed to go on higher protein foods to keep from losing weight and muscle mass as they got older. If you do want to switch foods, this website has some good info on liver problems in dogs, including dietary information: DogAware.com Health: Liver Disease in Dogs __________________ Chicago Canine Bianca HIC CGC TT (GSD)

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