Ask Momma Gail: My Senior Dog Won't Eat Like He Used To. Should I Be Worried?

In our latest Dear Momma Gail corner, 89-year-old Momma Gail and Kellye tackle one of the most common — and most worrying — questions senior dog owners ask.

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Dear Momma Gail,

My 12-year-old lab mix has always been a chow hound, but lately he barely touches his food. He'll sniff it, walk away, and then just look at me like I've done something wrong. He's not losing weight yet, but I'm starting to worry. Is this just old age, or is something wrong?

— Worried in Williamson County

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Dear Worried,

Honey, I hear you — and that look they give you? Like you personally offended them by putting down the same bowl they've eaten from for twelve years? I know it well.

Here's the truth: a senior dog turning up his nose at food is one of the most common things I hear about, and it can mean a few different things. Sometimes it's dental pain — those old teeth and gums get sore, and dry kibble starts to hurt. Sometimes it's that their sense of smell has dimmed with age, and food just doesn't excite them the way it used to. And sometimes, yes, it can be something worth having your vet check out.

So first things first — call your vet if it's been more than two days, or if you notice any other changes like lethargy or weight loss. Don't wait on that, sweet friend.

But if he's otherwise acting like himself and just being a little picky? Here's what Momma Gail would do:

Warm it up. Add a splash of warm water or low-sodium broth to his kibble and let it sit for a few minutes. Warming food releases the aroma, and that nose of his will perk right up. It also softens the food for those tender old teeth.

Try a little something on top. A spoonful of plain pumpkin, a scrambled egg, or a drizzle of something savory can turn a rejected bowl into a cleaned plate. Senior dogs often need a little extra coaxing — and there's no shame in that. We all do sometimes.

Make mealtime calm and comfortable. If he has to stand on a slippery floor or bend his arthritic neck way down to reach his bowl, eating becomes uncomfortable. Try a raised bowl on a non-slip mat, and make sure his eating spot is quiet and warm.

And give him a cozy place to rest after he eats. A warm, snuggly spot — like his very own Mr. Weenie's Burrow Blanket — helps him settle comfortably after meals, especially if his belly or joints are tender.

He's not trying to worry you. He's just telling you he needs things a little different now. Listen to him — and keep loving him exactly like you already are.

With love,
Momma Gail 🐾

 

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Ask Momma Gail is written by Kellye Potter, inspired by her mother Gail and a lifetime of watching two generations of aging souls — human and canine — need each other.

Got a question for Momma Gail? Send your senior dog questions to Kellye at Bowwow Pet Care — we read every single one.
Shop Mr. Weenie's Burrow Blanket at bowwowpetcare.com 🐾