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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

My old GSD is off his food

13 replies

BrassicaBabe · 15/04/2011 10:00

Hi

I have an 11 year old GSD. Other than his back legs seeming a little weak when he gets up he's a figure of health.

He's always been a fussy eater. In the early days I fed him a complete feed and took the "if he's hungry he will eat it" approach until I learned that he just wouldn't. So I switched to canned dog meat and a mixer which he liked. Although my gut feeling is that canned dog food isn't ideal. I normally feed him once a day in the evening.

He's now become quite fussy again and eratic in his eating. One day he will eat all of his food in the evening. Othe days he will eat it all if presented with the left overs in the morning, so 1 feed split over 2 meals. Others still he just won't eat it.

I've bought differnet biscuits and cans to see if he just fancies a change, but this doesn't seem to be it. His teeth/mouth looks fine. He will still accept a toast crust Smile

Any ideas? Is he just showing his age and needing "old persons" food like fish or chicken? I've heard that baby formula is a good high energy, easy on the stomach supplement.

(I hate the fact that the pooch I love so much is getting older. It does cause me to look for problems that might not be there because I know he can't go on for ever)

Any advice you can give would be gratefully received.
Thanks
x

OP posts:
Vallhala · 15/04/2011 10:33

I have a 12 year old Lab cross who is like this. (My GSDs will eat anything!).

I'd try offering him something really tasty for dogs such as Naturediet, tripe or mince first. If that doesn't work I'd have him in the vets - it may be a physical problem or, quite possibly, dental.

Or he could just be a fussy bugger like my Lab X and want a change in good quality food every few days!

Original poster
BrassicaBabe · 15/04/2011 11:40

Thanks vallhalla. He likes tripe. I've gave it to him when he got skinny through not eating my complete mix when he was younger. Remind me where I get it and what I do with it. Where do I get Naturediet? I've not heard of that one.

Pesky pooch! I'll soon be spending as much time wondering "what's for dinner" for the dog as I do for DH and me!

OP posts:
Vallhala · 15/04/2011 11:56

You can buy both frozen tripe and Naturediet from a good pet store - particularly the bigger ones such as Pets At Home etc.

Naturediet was a godsend when I was trying to put weight on my ribby younger GSD and was recommended by the rescue I help at and foster for, both for my once-skinny GSD and for my epileptic GSD. Worked a treat, all three of my dogs love it. It has no additives and a high meat content.

(Long haired white and short-coat black and tan GSD and black Lab cross photos on my profile!). :)

My three are now on Fish4Dogs kibble, which is also additive free and high protein but I've no doubt I'll be changing that soon when Max gets bored!

Original poster
BrassicaBabe · 15/04/2011 12:40

Fab. Thanks. I'd forgotten that I have a decent sized Pets at Home shop near me.

OP posts:
topsyturner · 15/04/2011 12:48

My GSD (4) has always been a fussy eater and will regularly just decide not to eat for a couple of days . And GSDs tend to get very skinny looking very quickly !

We find that giving him some tinned tuna mixed through his complete dry food gets him eating again .(but then he is a spoilt bugger !)
Also plain natural yoghurt mixed in his dinner works too .

Vallhala · 15/04/2011 12:52

Ah! Yes, good one, topsy. My elder GSD got his name through his love of Fish!

Yes... I have a GSD called Fish!

topsyturner · 15/04/2011 12:56

Love your GSD s name Vallhala
Our GSD got his love of tuns from the breeder who used it as a weaning food . He goes beserk now whenever he smells fish of any description .

Original poster
BrassicaBabe · 15/04/2011 17:40

Great idea (Great name too Grin) I can't get to the pet shop until tomorrow, but I do have tuna in the cupboard.

OP posts:
dickcheeseandthecrackers · 15/04/2011 17:43

Oh yes Topsy, we regularly say our GSD has an eating disorder. He can drop 5 kilos very quickly. Can leave his food for 36 hours at least. He also doesn't like to eat unless everyone is home.
He is also allergic to EVERYTHING and is on Maize and lamb biscuits.

JaxTellersOldLady · 15/04/2011 21:13

Sorry to hear your GSD isnt eating. I have 2 GSDs, one will eat anything (and everything) and the other is a fuss pot. I mix tuna or leftovers in with his food sometimes, just so he has a change as he is a skinny thing.

When I needed to put weight on him I used green tripe and his dog food, it smelled and I gagged every morning but it worked. I also fed him nature diet when he was on his easily digestible diet when he was poorly last year. Also loved nature diet - but not the senior/lite one, he wouldnt touch that!

Now... both my dogs are on Arden Grange, lovely coat, healthy teeth, gums and growing nicely.

JaxTellersOldLady · 15/04/2011 21:14

Actually, what I came on to say (before getting sidetracked) was that I have a freezer that has plenty of tripe in if you are local to me I will happily give you some.

I am in Bucks.

Original poster
BrassicaBabe · 30/04/2011 08:40

Hiya
Just popped back to say he likes tuna! I'm feeding him half a can of dog meat, a tin of tuna and dog mix bisctuis. He's got a dance in his step when it comes to dinner time again Grin. (Is my GSD the only one who dances?!)
I'll save tripe for the next time I'm in this postion. As I'm with you Jax it makes me heave! (Thanks for the offer, my parents are in bucks, but I'm miles away Smile)
x

OP posts:
Vallhala · 30/04/2011 21:22

Great news! :)

There's clearly something about GSDs and Fish!

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