Raw for an Elderly dog

Keechak · 11-02-2009, 08:50 AM

Well a couple years ago Jack started pooping downstairs, so our solution was to put a babygate up and block him from going downstairs. My mom said that if he ever started pooping upstares she was going to consider euthing him.

Well for the past couple of nights he has started pooping upstairs. He poops a LOT about twice a day. I suggested to my mother to start feeding him raw as as way to try and lessen his "loads" and maybe hopefully he will be able to hold his poop overnight.

My only question. How would you consider switching an old dog to raw, and especially an old dog that has a very sensitive stomach?

reynosa_k9's · 11-02-2009, 09:40 AM

I'm currently 'fostering' an 11yr old dobie. When he came from the rescue he immediately went on raw with everyone else in the house. Kuschel has since thrived on the diet. We really didn't expect him to last the first week, due to his extremely poor health, but here it is nearly 3 months later and he is as healthy as an 11yr old dobie can be.

I've never hesitated on putting any dog in my care on raw. In my opinion it's the best I can feed them.

BTW, most of his front teeth are missing but that hasn't slowed this piggy in a dobie suit down one itty bitty bit from ripping beef brisket to shreds.

Jihad
and the pound puppy crew.

Wlfdg · 11-02-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keechak

My only question. How would you consider switching an old dog to raw, and especially an old dog that has a very sensitive stomach?

Start with chicken like any other dog. I would start with chicken breast with skin and bone.

Keechak · 11-02-2009, 10:56 AM

I just asked my mother about it, and as of now she said she will not consider raw. But if he continues to potty upstairs I'm sure I can convince her. She is not the type to euth a dog before trying other options.

MoosMom · 11-02-2009, 09:15 PM

Maybe if she doesn't want to go raw you guys can adjust his feeding schedule so that he may be less inclined to poop at nite?

Wlfdg · 11-02-2009, 10:25 PM

You could switch Jack to EVO. Stool volume is minimal.

FilleBelle · 11-02-2009, 10:32 PM

How is Jack's health aside from this issue?

Keechak · 11-02-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilleBelle

How is Jack's health aside from this issue?

Just an old dog. Has arthritis, a bit of difficulty getting up and down steps, nearly deaf, can no longer see in the dark (dimmed vision), sleeps 20 hours a day and wrestles and chases the ball or frisbee about one hour a day.

FilleBelle · 11-02-2009, 10:46 PM

You can probably guess why I was asking.

Incontinance is sort of a threshold for me. I feel strongly that it's undignified to make a dog (or human, for that matter) live so long that it cannot control its bowels. If he's otherwise happy to be alive, though, a change in diet is perhaps your better bet

Keechak · 11-02-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilleBelle

You can probably guess why I was asking.

Incontinance is sort of a threshold for me. I feel strongly that it's undignified to make a dog (or human, for that matter) live so long that it cannot control its bowels. If he's otherwise happy to be alive, though, a change in diet is perhaps your better bet

I'm not sure if it's incontinence or some sort of Doggy Alzheimer's. Because when he does it he acts like it's normal to do it like he's done it all his life he shows no depression or "shame" and in the case when he was doing it down stairs he would do it right in front of me, just walk over sniff the ground a little and start doing the poop walk.

And if it is Alzheimers, I guess ignorance is bliss, right? lol

Kathyy · 11-03-2009, 10:15 AM

Sassy is starting to do that sort of thing. Last week she was waiting patiently for me to open the door. Problem being, she was nosing the hinge side of the door.

She has trouble getting outside to pee. We take her out on an hourly schedule. Works pretty well. What if you put him on a puppy schedule? Feed on a schedule and take him for a short walk when you know he will poop?

Agree about trying a different food. Sassy has always been on good quality kibble or home cooked food and poops a smaller amount once a day. If he is going to make a mess a neat once a day smaller mess is sort of better, right? But I wouldn't count on the once a day thing. Max poops per meal. Eats twice a day, poops twice a day. Eats once a day poops once a day. Don't think switching an old dog to once a day feeding would go over real big with him.