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Post by franjan on Sept 17, 2014 9:00:07 GMT -5
Crockie, our oldie (not sure his definite age) is starting to look skeletal, despite being given good sized feeds twice a day (with an added lunchtime snack too). He has Skinners salmon and rice kibble twice a day, plus cheese / bread or biscuits at lunchtime. We're trying to keep his muscles strong / toned by giving him regular walks (he still gets excited and loves going out, luckily  , but would appreciate any suggestions around ways to try to bulk him up - his pinbones, hips and shoulders are really bony now  Or is it just a horrible consequence of aging |
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Post by Ted on Sept 17, 2014 9:30:23 GMT -5
It may be an idea to add something like Forthglade to his meals, at the moment using FORTHGLADE20 Berriewoods are offering a 20% discount on Forthglade whilst they can't get supplies of Naturediet. Other than that it quite possibly due to growing old, he may not be able to digest the Kibble anymore like he use to. All 4 of my Hounds never have since living with me had Kibble as a main source for their meals. Saying that Menta my Spanish Ibizan Hound who is about 10 & 1/2 years has lost quite a bit of weight because it was found she had massive amounts of fluid around her lungs and stomach area. The reduction of weight is due to her being on water and heart tablets which have got rid of 90% of this fluid. I give my 4 hounds half a carton each of Naturediet or Forthglade for breakfast and half a carton plus a tin of Gelert Country Mix each for their evening meal. I also leave a bucket of Gluten Free Chicken and Rice Kibble down both in the bungalow and in our Dog Wagon in case they want a snack.
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Post by franjan on Sept 17, 2014 10:16:29 GMT -5
It may be an idea to add something like Forthglade to his meals, at the moment using FORTHGLADE20 Berriewoods are offering a 20% discount on Forthglade whilst they can't get supplies of Naturediet. Other than that it quite possibly due to growing old, he may not be able to digest the Kibble anymore like he use to. All 4 of my Hounds never have since living with me had Kibble as a main source for their meals. Saying that Menta my Spanish Ibizan Hound who is about 10 & 1/2 years has lost quite a bit of weight because it was found she had massive amounts of fluid around her lungs and stomach area. The reduction of weight is due to her being on water and heart tablets which have got rid of 90% of this fluid. I give my 4 hounds half a carton each of Naturediet or Forthglade for breakfast and half a carton plus a tin of Gelert Country Mix each for their evening meal. I also leave a bucket of Gluten Free Chicken and Rice Kibble down both in the bungalow and in our Dog Wagon in case they want a snack. Thanks Ted - that was helpful All ours are on fish based food, rather than meat, due to a couple having colitis. It looks like Forthglade only do the senior food in chicken  I may actually resort to making his meals in bulk from scratch and freezing it - if I can be that organised....  |
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Post by vickyb on Sept 17, 2014 10:20:54 GMT -5
CSJ do a mixer/food thats designed to put/keep weight on them, CP xtra. I've used it to put weight on new arrivals, you add some to their regular food. They all seemed to like it. www.csjk9.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=54&idcategory=5It's really hard though to build muscle. Have you considered hydrotherapy? a pool not treadmill. A physio showed me how to massage River pre walks to get the blood into his muscles and get them warmed up before walk. She then advised walking him up an incline/hill at the start of the walk to get his muscles working which helps to keep the muscle tone even if it doesn't build more. Obviously within their physical limitations. It's very hard to see them go like that isn't it   |
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Post by vickyb on Sept 17, 2014 10:22:32 GMT -5
I've got a sheet the vet gave me about amounts and proportions for home cooked, can send you a copy if you decide to do that.
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Post by lurcherlot on Sept 17, 2014 10:39:55 GMT -5
I think I would add another proper meal at lunchtime |
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Post by deborahburt on Sept 17, 2014 10:56:30 GMT -5
I added cooked porridge to Sammy's meals to great effect when I needed to add weight.
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Post by sharonhigh45 on Sept 17, 2014 13:42:10 GMT -5
No advice but interesting replies.
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Post by ragsysmum on Sept 18, 2014 10:43:56 GMT -5
I always feed little and often through the day when trying to get weight on a dog. Also feed more later in the day/bedtime when they will rest and not burn off the meal using up energy as earlier in the day.
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Post by Ted on Sept 18, 2014 12:36:04 GMT -5
I do give my 4 hounds a small breakfast 90 minutes before we go out for our first walk. They have their main meal about 5pm about two hours after our second walk of the day. They all rest all evening and night until their breakfast the following morning. It does mean that our first walk which takes 90 minutes but that is because they like to do alot of peemail checking and performing their business.
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Post by franjan on Sept 18, 2014 13:43:56 GMT -5
I've got a sheet the vet gave me about amounts and proportions for home cooked, can send you a copy if you decide to do that. That'd be good, thanks Vicky Have you got it electronically, to send via pm, or will you need my address? |
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Post by franjan on Sept 18, 2014 13:48:42 GMT -5
Thanks all - we'll have a look at alternative foods / making our own, and are already adapting his walks to shorter, slower ones to help build his muscles / tolerance within his current limitations Porridge is also a great idea - we'll deffo be adding that to his meals |
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Post by vickyb on Sept 18, 2014 15:42:04 GMT -5
I've got a sheet the vet gave me about amounts and proportions for home cooked, can send you a copy if you decide to do that. That'd be good, thanks Vicky Have you got it electronically, to send via pm, or will you need my address? I've got a scanned copy, its not brilliant but I think you can read it, I'll email it if you pm me your address. |
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