dog food for old dog

There are lots of quality dog foods out now. We feed our dogs a lot of meat. As they age, their kidney and liver function often declines. That means you should feed less protein.

I had a stock dog that developed some problems at age 12. The vet had no advice. I read up on it and changed to some high quality dog food made for senior dogs. She lived another 3 years to 15.

My last Border Collie went backpacking with me at 16. The vet said she had bad liver function but gave no advice. I gave her the same supplements from a health food store that I would give to a human. Her diet was reduced to cottage cheese, canola oil, rice and few other things at the end, but she lived 2 years past what the vet gave her for life expectancy.

Pawz4me wrote:
If it's truly a case of an elderly or ill dog eating versus not eating, then I'd opt for eating every time. If he finds a lightly cooked (maybe poached?) egg just as appetizing then that's the safe thing to do, though. Beyond any risk of salmonella for the dog -- do think about the humans in the house. If anyone has serious health issues or is immuno compromised (including being treated/medicated for cancer or auto-immune illnesses) then there's perhaps more risk to the humans than to the dog.

Listen to this.

Salmonella is a real risk to both dogs and people. Salmonella can be found both on the egg and within the egg itself. During development in the chicken a salmonella infected individual will contaminate all components from the actual egg to the shell.

If your egg supplier is reputable, well run, honest and always opts for public health rather than the bottom line, or the eggs are "pasturized" then you're risk is less.

The perceived benefits of raw vs cooked are not worth the risk IMO.
Feeding of an egg is a good plan, good protein and dogs love them.

If it's truly a case of an elderly or ill dog eating versus not eating, then I'd opt for eating every time. If he finds a lightly cooked (maybe poached?) egg just as appetizing then that's the safe thing to do, though. Beyond any risk of salmonella for the dog -- do think about the humans in the house. If anyone has serious health issues or is immuno compromised (including being treated/medicated for cancer or auto-immune illnesses) then there's perhaps more risk to the humans than to the dog.

A raw egg has minimal (actually probably no) risk to your pup.

Google the BARF raw food diet. My dogs have been on it for 3 years now, and are healthier in numerous ways.

They each get a raw egg every morning.

romore wrote:
At 15 he should be able to have whatever he wants.

Yep, I agree, I am down with that. Just don't tell him, or he will get all uppity and demanding

At 15 he should be able to have whatever he wants.

I just cook an extra egg for our Lhasa who is past 13, now and beginning to slow down a bit. He loves a cooked egg. he eats his dry dog food, too, and cooked chicken and canned dog food.

romore wrote:
Mom fed our dog a raw egg with bread, lots of protein and he loved it. When he died at 14 his coat was still healthy. Go for it. Why would salmonella be a risk with fresh egg?

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Apparently, from my understanding raw eggs do, present a risk of salmonella. But on the other hand they seem to make his meals very appetizing to him. which was not happening before.

So dog that won't eat, VS one that will. I think I will take the risk

Mom fed our dog a raw egg with bread, lots of protein and he loved it. When he died at 14 his coat was still healthy. Go for it. Why would salmonella be a risk with fresh egg?