I have been feeding Thor a raw diet for 5 years. I'm very comfortable with balancing it and appropriate supplements etc. Since Oct., at his vet's suggestion I have been taking weight off him. I have been using the same method of balancing just in lesser amounts. And over 6 months have reduced his intake by about a 1/2 lb a day.

Weight loss was recommended because of his age 12 years; less stress on bones and organs. He is 26 inches and was 84lbs; at his 12 year old check up. He is now 79lbs and has his 12.5 year check up tomorrow, hopefully he is thin enough. Poor Thor looks so skinny; good thing he has that healthy full coat to hide the bones.

Over the past couple of months I have noticed drier BMs (but not chalky like too much bone) and him having a little more difficulty passing them. Nothing alarming but I think maybe he needs more fat? Muscle meat? Based on my gut feeling (no pun intended)and zero facts behind it; I think fat is what I should add.

He currently gets 4 tablespoons of fish oil a day plus Vitamin E. I'm happy with that but would adding a little more fish oil be beneficial?

I was thinking to add a high fat content ground beef. Thoughts?

As a rule would reducing the amount of food a 1/2 lb a day over 6 months even while continuing to balance his meals be the issue? Or in general should the diet be tweeked as a dog ages and things start to slow down?

The first thing I'd do would be to adjust the meat-to-bone ratio (more muscle meat, less bone).

I don't know how (or of course even if, for sure) it got off balance, but this is so likely to be the culprit (in an otherwise healthy dog) that it would pretty much always be my first step.

JMO!

I think I'll cut back on the bones; for instance tonight he had a half a Cornish hen with 1/2 the organs and neck. So tomorrow night substitute a boneless chicken thigh for the wing and neck?

Then a BM inspection on Tuesday...lol.

Thanks Connie!

 Quote: Sheila Buckley

I think I'll cut back on the bones; for instance tonight he had a half a Cornish hen with 1/2 the organs and neck. So tomorrow night substitute a boneless chicken thigh for the wing and neck?

Then a BM inspection on Tuesday...lol.

That sounds good.

And yes! Then poop exam Tuesday!

How did it go, Sheila?