Raw feeding for older dogs

[Vicbloss]

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Hi everybody!
I'm new here and looking for a bit of advice.
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of raw feeding older dogs.
My 14-year-old Parson's Russell Terrier has been struggling with her tummy recently.
It gurgles like crazy in the night and what comes out the other end can be liquidy and foamy.
I took her to the vet and she's been put on antacids for a couple of weeks. The vet suggested that raw feeding was maybe not suitable for older dogs but if I wanted to continue I should at least avoid liver.
Now I don't like going against the vet's advice but I'm pretty sold on raw feeding (not totally but it just makes sense to me) and I know liver is considered to be a vital part of a raw diet.
Feeling a bit confused, any advice gratefully received!

 

[JudyN]

Is she on raw at the moment, or are you thinking of switching in the hope it helps her tummy?

 

[Vicbloss]

Yes, and she's has been since I've had her (three years). She's done well on it but maybe it is time for a change now. Going to stop the liver but keep her on raw until I next see the vet in a couple of weeks. See what she says then but I might try cooked food depending on what the vet suggests. Don't want to put her on carby kibble as she's got arthritis.

 

[JudyN]

I might try cooked food depending on what the vet suggests.

I was just thinking that... When my dog had an iffy tummy following a sedative, he wouldn't eat raw chicken but would eat it when I cooked it. I think it can be easier to digest cooked.

If it were me, I'd stick to raw chicken only (no liver) for a few days and see if she improves. Or maybe stick to cooked chicken for a few days and if she improves, see what happens when you cook it less and less, till it's raw again. It won't harm her to have nothing but chicken for a couple of weeks (assuming she hasn't developed a sensitivity to it in which case you'll have to think again), and then depending on how she goes you can think about how to balance it so she gets all the nutrients she needs while keeping her tum happy. Maybe she'd be fine with liver cake for treats rather than raw liver with her meals.

 

[Vicbloss]

She will be most happy - she loves cooked chicken!
Thanks for the suggestions, I think you're right, it's about getting the balance right as she gets older.
Liver cakes is a good idea too. She loves them but, come to think of it, she loves pretty much anything!

 

[Mad Murphy]

Benny got a bit sensitive to the stronger/richer meats as he got older and lamb and chicken seemed to be the best tolerated.

 

[JoanneF]

If it helps, my recipe for liver cake is this -

A pack of liver (supermarket packs are usually about 500 grams)
About 250 grams of flour - I use gluten free as some dogs are gluten intolerant
1 egg
A slosh of olive oil or salmon oil for a glossy coat (optional)

Cut the liver into pieces and use a hand blender to blitz it with the egg until it's a sloppy mess. Stir in the oil if using and the flour. It still should be a sloppy mess.

Turn into a parchment lined baking tray measuring about 6"x9". It shold be about an inch deep.

Bake at 170 degrees for about 15 minutes until a knife comes out clean.

When it's cold, cut into kit kat finger sized pieces - half them again for a smaller dog - and freeze them in a freezer bag. They freeze in separate pieces so you can take out one at a time and break into smaller pieces for training.

Dogs love it, it has no sugar, salt or other nasties and lasts for weeks. It also is cheap to make - a recent survey showed some dog treats to be more epensive, ounce for ounce, than fillet steak!

 

[Vicbloss]

Thank JoanneF, will definitely try that one.
Might try gram flour in there, see how I go with that.
My dog says thanks too!

 

[Beckharley22]

Plain chicken or white fish with limited offal - egg is good too.

 

[Vicbloss]

Funnily enough, egg gives her the runs (and terrible farts!) I've tried cooked and raw but just doesn't seem to suit her. I think you're right about the rest though. Have given her a bit of banana too today to see if that firms her up. She's been fine today actually but I'm still giving her the antacids and I don't want her on them for any longer than she needs.

 

[JudyN]

Hen eggs have the same effect on my dog, but he's fine with quail eggs. So that's something you could try in the future if you wanted, once you've got her more settled.

 

[Vicbloss]

Ah, ok, will do. They'd be just the right size for her too!

 

[Sandra Christiana]

Helpful post. I also need a perfect food for my dog.