Mordy..my old dog won't eat - need ideas?

[papillon806]

Mordy--I just saw that new preference stuff on the link you gave and that is EXACTLY what I have been looking for!!! Do you have to order it from the site or does anyone else sell it? (like petfooddirect, etc) ?

[Mordy]

The site has a store list

http://thehonestkitchen.com/directory.htm

The nicest thing about THK products is that they are made from 100% human grade ingredients, in a plant that processes human food. You could eat this stuff yourself and wouldn't have to worry about a thing.

[doberkim]

Your dog is elderly and in CHF - at this point, its important that she eats ANYTHING - I wouldn't worry about it being balanced, I wouldn't worry about it being complete. What I would worry about is it being low in sodium.

Does she want to eat people food at all? If so - start feeding it. Dogs in CHF often like sweet things - Cereals are usually low sodium and some dogs love them - things like frosted mini wheats, etc. Pound cake is also pretty low in sodium, but up there in calories (as are most baked goods).

Are they the best foods for dogs? No - but to tempt a dog to eat when they are feeling so ill, they will do. And I firmly believe that in the end, the dog should be eating whatever it will eat.

Both of my last dogs, in the last days of their life - had cereals, baked goods, mcdonalds - whatever it took to get them to eat.

[dr2little]

Originally Posted by doberkim

Your dog is elderly and in CHF - at this point, its important that she eats ANYTHING - I wouldn't worry about it being balanced, I wouldn't worry about it being complete. What I would worry about is it being low in sodium.

Does she want to eat people food at all? If so - start feeding it. Dogs in CHF often like sweet things - Cereals are usually low sodium and some dogs love them - things like frosted mini wheats, etc. Pound cake is also pretty low in sodium, but up there in calories (as are most baked goods).

Are they the best foods for dogs? No - but to tempt a dog to eat when they are feeling so ill, they will do. And I firmly believe that in the end, the dog should be eating whatever it will eat.

Both of my last dogs, in the last days of their life - had cereals, baked goods, mcdonalds - whatever it took to get them to eat.

Thanks...the green light helps....those were my thoughts too. I did boil her up some chicken breast and she's wolfing that down, I've also gotten her to eat some steamed green beans, rice and yams (no butter or salt). I'm happy to cook for her and she has really started to enjoy it since yesterday. It's strange because she really is happy and otherwise healthy (not in any pain or coughing at all) she just decided that the Eagle Pack which shes been on for years now is just not going to cut it.
Her tiny body can't take much weight loss so I was really starting to worry about her not wanting to eat.
She was diagnosed with CHF 3 years ago and has been on Enacard and lasix ever since...maybe she'll turn around again and I'll have her with me for a good while still...

Thanks everyone for the help, she seems to be back to her little piggy self again...at least for now, one day at a time.

[bubbatd]

Bless you for taking such good care of her! Too many don't value their old dogs. May she have some good years left.

[Renee750il]

Ah, Doc . . . I understand what you're going through. I nursed my Gonzo cat through one last good year of life after he was diagnosed with FIV. He never ate cat food again after I found out . . . One of his favorite meals was orange roughy poached with just a bit of butter.

[dr2little]

Originally Posted by Renee750il

Ah, Doc . . . I understand what you're going through. I nursed my Gonzo cat through one last good year of life after he was diagnosed with FIV. He never ate cat food again after I found out . . . One of his favorite meals was orange roughy poached with just a bit of butter.

I'm sure Gonzo was one very happy cat...orange roughy.mmmmmmmm
It's so hard to even think of a time when I won't have her in my life. I've been meal planning, trying to think of things that I can feed her that she'll love but will fit her low sodium needs. I have to say, I'm almost glad that she's off of her regular food. It gives me a reason to really spoil her in a way that as a mom makes me feel good too, and make no appologies for it.
I'm poaching salmon tonight, Tia's going to love it!

[DanL]

It sounds like everyone gave you good suggestions. I just want to say how lucky your dog is to have you caring for her.

[Renee750il]

Doc, sometimes a bit of something savory helps their appetites. Try a touch of rosemary in with chicken breast and just a bit of unsalted butter.

[candaceluvspebbles]

Hi,

I don't know if this would work but i've heard that you can feed them baby food....i'm not sure if it would be good for her.Does she have trouble digesting the food???
Im not totally 100% sure about the baby food thing but u can check up on it,or ask the vet.
I hope she gets better soon,cause iv'e got a chihuahua too and i think i just could'nt bare loosing her.
hope that helps