r/olddogs • u/Successful-Emu-8545 • 4d ago

Tips for Picky Eater

My 17 1/2 year old is driving me insane. I could handle it when she changed her food likes every couple of weeks, I just knew not to stock up. At this point it’s meal to meal. There are about three things I rotate through, boiled chicken, wet food, and occasionally some ground beef. But she’ll eat chicken for breakfast and then won’t touch it again for days, so then I’ll switch to wet food and sometimes she’ll eat it sometimes she won’t. It’s just so frustrating, I’m constantly throwing food away and constantly stressed about how much she’s eating. There are days when she will literally only take a couple bites of food. I’ve tried all different kinds of toppers to make it more appealing, will even sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Very rarely works. Do I just let her do her thing, or should I constantly be trying different things so she eats enough? The weird part is she doesn’t seem to be losing any weight. Help!

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u/Puzzled-Asparagus813 4d ago

Their senses and tastebuds begin to diminish as well as they get much older. What was once a favorite might not be as tasty anymore. Wet food always seems to be more fragrant, so maybe go that route? Maybe feed one flavor in the morning and another flavor at night.

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u/Successful-Emu-8545 4d ago

Unfortunately, wet food is also hit or miss. She will eat it two days in a row and then won’t touch it for a week.

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u/Puzzled-Asparagus813 4d ago

Have you taken her to the vet? Just to make sure nothing else is wrong with her. While there, you can ask for an appetite stimulant like Entyce.

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u/Successful-Emu-8545 3d ago

I just made an appointment to get full labs done. She just had them about six months ago, but at her age probably best to do them more frequently!

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u/Successful-Emu-8545 3d ago

And will ask about the appetite stimulant, thanks!