High calorie (and tasty) soft kibble
Discussion
We have an 14.5yo greyhound who always been picky with his food but is now declining to eat any kibble at all.
Currently we're feeding him Butchers brand tinned wet food, which does work, but he wont eat more than a 400g can full at a time, and seems to need about five per day to make up for the 'tin full' scoop of kibble he used to have with a can of wet food because the wet has so much less calories per mouthfull!
No major issue with this other than the fact he often wants his third of fourth dinner at 4am, and although I feed him twice most mornings, always seems starving by the time we get home, and its not really fair to ask the dog walk to feed him mid-day.
I would leave food down for him, which is what his original owners did for his first 5-6 years, but we also have a romanian retriever cross, who hoovers up anything he can including barging our older dog out of the way if we let him.
TLDR: Any recommendations for a tasty high calorie density easy to eat dog food for an older dog.
Currently we're feeding him Butchers brand tinned wet food, which does work, but he wont eat more than a 400g can full at a time, and seems to need about five per day to make up for the 'tin full' scoop of kibble he used to have with a can of wet food because the wet has so much less calories per mouthfull!
No major issue with this other than the fact he often wants his third of fourth dinner at 4am, and although I feed him twice most mornings, always seems starving by the time we get home, and its not really fair to ask the dog walk to feed him mid-day.
I would leave food down for him, which is what his original owners did for his first 5-6 years, but we also have a romanian retriever cross, who hoovers up anything he can including barging our older dog out of the way if we let him.
TLDR: Any recommendations for a tasty high calorie density easy to eat dog food for an older dog.
Have you tried adding a bit of water to the kibble?
Our 14yo Staffie has always been a food hoover, but in recent months she's started leaving her breakfast. We tried a few things but simply putting a bit of water in there got her eating it again.
She doesn't chew her toys much these days so I wonder if it's too hard on her gums or something, and the water just softens it up a bit.
Our 14yo Staffie has always been a food hoover, but in recent months she's started leaving her breakfast. We tried a few things but simply putting a bit of water in there got her eating it again.
She doesn't chew her toys much these days so I wonder if it's too hard on her gums or something, and the water just softens it up a bit.
durbster said:
Have you tried adding a bit of water to the kibble?
Our 14yo Staffie has always been a food hoover, but in recent months she's started leaving her breakfast. We tried a few things but simply putting a bit of water in there got her eating it again.
She doesn't chew her toys much these days so I wonder if it's too hard on her gums or something, and the water just softens it up a bit.
That's a good suggestion.Our 14yo Staffie has always been a food hoover, but in recent months she's started leaving her breakfast. We tried a few things but simply putting a bit of water in there got her eating it again.
She doesn't chew her toys much these days so I wonder if it's too hard on her gums or something, and the water just softens it up a bit.
Greyhounds often have dental issues, so it may be that he is struggling with that. Adding water (especially warm) will also enhance the smell, which may help. Or, if you leave it long enough, it will soften the kibble.
We have to do this with our older saluki because he's had quite a few teeth removed, although he does manage a small-bite kibble for one of his meals.
We have used a specialist greyhound food (used to be 'Gain' now 'Time') for many years. They do different protein levels, so there's a 20 and a 28.
Or you could look at using a puppy food, which would have higher protein levels. You do need to be careful if they have any kidney or liver issues though.
Yeah, the kibble gets mixed up with water and the wet food.
If it gets too soft because the leftovers have been on the side an hour (think soggy breakfast cereal) he wont eat that either
So far his teeth appear good and not to be giving any issues, and I think its more the taste he struggles with.
We have always had to change kibble brand from time to time, but have hit a bit of a wall with it now.
I thave been revving up to going down to one of the local equine outlets and get another selection and just try a hit a miss approach, but was just wondering if anyone has any good steers to get the ball rolling. At very least, the retriever will work his way though anything the greyhound turns his overly long nose up at so it wont go to waste!
However we had a bit of a breakthrough last night having bought the topic up with my mother in law, and she suggested we tried the Forthglade food she feeds her dogs, as in her lasts months it was the only thing her collie would still eat, and he has absolutely woofed it down!! Its twice the prices of the Harringtons we have settled on for the past few years but if he is happy and we get to sleep through the night or at least only be woken by the 3yo child not the 14yo dog then its a bargain!
Maybe its the sweet potato, as otherwise its composition (atleast the % meat content) isn't miles off.
https://forthglade.com/products/chicken-grain-free...
If it gets too soft because the leftovers have been on the side an hour (think soggy breakfast cereal) he wont eat that either
So far his teeth appear good and not to be giving any issues, and I think its more the taste he struggles with.
We have always had to change kibble brand from time to time, but have hit a bit of a wall with it now.
I thave been revving up to going down to one of the local equine outlets and get another selection and just try a hit a miss approach, but was just wondering if anyone has any good steers to get the ball rolling. At very least, the retriever will work his way though anything the greyhound turns his overly long nose up at so it wont go to waste!
However we had a bit of a breakthrough last night having bought the topic up with my mother in law, and she suggested we tried the Forthglade food she feeds her dogs, as in her lasts months it was the only thing her collie would still eat, and he has absolutely woofed it down!! Its twice the prices of the Harringtons we have settled on for the past few years but if he is happy and we get to sleep through the night or at least only be woken by the 3yo child not the 14yo dog then its a bargain!
Maybe its the sweet potato, as otherwise its composition (atleast the % meat content) isn't miles off.
https://forthglade.com/products/chicken-grain-free...
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