My aging dog eats chicken necks. What's the best food for her?

You have a lot of flexibility since she's a young/middle age adult, and I'm assuming she's healthy. Basically any food made by a reputable company is going to be fine for her. There has been more and more evidence coming out recently that grain-free diets aren't healthy for dogs (linked to a particular type of heart failure called Dilated Cardiomyopathy) and raw food also presents risk of salmonella and e.coli to both the dog and family around the dog, so I'd generally recommend staying away from both of those options. The brands I like are Hills, Purina, and Royal Canin because they have veterinary nutritionists on staff, have good quality control, and generally make solid products. I hope that helps a bit!

Unfortunately, feeding chicken necks, whether raw or cooked is dangerous to your dog as the necks contain thyroid glands, the ingestion of which will cause hyperthyroidism in dogs. So this could be the reason why she does not want to eat. I suggest you feed other meat than necks, and if she still does not eat, offer her boiled white rice and cooked white boneless chicken meat, ie a bland diet for a day or two. If she is not eating by Monday morning you will need to take her to your veterinarian for an exam. Please mention the feeding of raw chicken necks to her, as it could be the reason for hyperthyroidism (can be ruled out with a blood test), or a gastrointestinal bacterial infection.

I would recommend feeding Chacha a commercially prepared senior dog food diet. This will ensure that she is getting a balanced diet. Senior diets also tend to have less calories than a maintenance diet and more fiber. These help an older dog stay trim and fit. If you are interested in home cooking for Chacha you can visit the website www.balanceit.com. This can give you complete and balanced diet ideas that are formulated by a veterinary nutritionist for optimal health. You could also try adding some fish oils to her diet. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids can help with brain health, skin/coat health, and eye health. Any veggie or fruit, with the exception of onions and grapes/raisins, can be given as treats for Chacha. Green beans are a great treat because they are low in calories and high in fiber. I hope this helps. Thanks for using PetCoach. Best of luck.

Senior dog food formulas are lower in calories and contain less fat, protein and sodium. These may not fulfill the nutritional requirements of your dog. Furthermore, neither AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nor the National Research Council (NRC) provides guidelines for senior dog formulas. There is NO distinction made between the nutritional requirements for adult dogs and those for senior dogs. As a result, the ingredients used in pet food marketed for ‘seniors’ is determined by the manufacturer and varies widely.

Hi there. I would recommend feeding a diet from a company with a good reputation, who employs veterinary nutritionists to help formulate their diets and does AAFCO feeding trials to prove that their diets provide complete and balanced nutrition when fed long-term. Companies that meet these criteria include Iams, Purina, and Royal Canin. Purina Dog Chow Complete Adults would be a very reasonable choice.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Skyler. Great question! I recommend Royal Canin Small Adult 8+ dry dog food. This helps maintain a healthy weight, has small, highly palatable kibble, and enhanced palatability. I would feed this to her. I hope this helps!

Provide food that is high in calories, like puppy food or a food that’s designed for active, athletic, or working dogs. Higher protein and fat pet foods are best. Underweight pets should be eating foods that are around 30% protein and 20% fat if they’re eating dry kibble; 7% protein and 5% fat (or higher) if you’re feeding a wet food. Intersperse your pet’s diet with small amounts of high-calorie supplemental canned food or canned products made of 100% meat sources. These will have a high protein and fat content, like 100% pheasant or bison, for example. They won’t say “complete and balanced” but rather “for intermittent or supplemental use” because they’re not meant to replace regular feeding. Some moist foods may be easier to digest, so your pet may retain more nutrients, and more importantly these products tend to be more palatable and tempting to a pet who isn’t eating enough. Any diet changes should be done gradually over a week's time as to not cause any GI upset. Hope this helps. Best wishes.