Weight Loss in Older Dogs: When to Worry

Dogs' bodies often change as they age. While you may be concerned about your pooch gaining weight, we also need to watch for significant weight loss in senior dogs. In today's article, our Perry vets offer insight into weight loss in senior dogs, including causes and when to be concerned. 

When Your Older Dog Loses Weight

While many dogs tend to get chunkier as they enter their senior years (age 6-8 for larger dogs and 8-10 for small breeds), certain circumstances can cause your senior dog to start losing weight. They may gradually start to thin down or drop weight suddenly. No matter the speed of your older four-legged friend's weight loss, it's important to understand why it's happening. 

There are two potential reasons for this: either your dog is suffering from an underlying health condition that may be causing their weight loss, or your aging dog needs a change in their diet. 

In this post, we'll discuss when to be concerned about your dog's weight loss, some common causes of weight loss in older dogs, why a dog might lose weight even if he is eating, what to feed an old dog that's losing weight, and finally how to get your senior dog to gain weight. 

When to Be Concerned

While we recommend not assuming the worst if your old dog is losing weight and muscle mass, most vets will tell you that if your dog has lost 10% or more of his or her normal weight, you should bring them for an exam so your vet can find out what's causing your pooch to drop pounds. 

If your dog has lost this much weight within the past few months (or within a year), or if your dog is rapidly losing weight, it's important to book a complete physical checkup for your pooch as soon as possible. If you are concerned about your dog's weight, bring it up with your veterinarian at your dog's bi-annual checkup.

Your vet should also assess your canine companion if he or she is:

• Confused, depressed, or lethargic
• Stressed or is pacing, whining, or panting
• Severely constipated or has a distended belly 
• Dry heaves, has diarrhea or vomits
• Acts differently or out of character 
• Stops eating completely 

Causes of Weight Loss in Senior Dogs 

When weight loss happens in older dogs, an underlying health condition is likely causing it. These issues include liver/gallbladder disease, heart disease, dehydration, diabetes, dental issues, cancer, kidney disease, and arthritis. Each of these issues should be diagnosed and addressed by your vet. Most of these underlying causes of weight loss will likely come with other symptoms as well. 

Below, you'll find each condition that commonly causes weight loss and the signs and symptoms they often cause in dogs. 

As dogs become very old, they'll need more calories and easily digestible sources of protein to help them maintain appropriate muscle mass.

Also, remember that it's not unusual for even healthy senior dogs to gradually lose weight as they age. There may be a few specific causes for this type of weight loss, including:

• Reduced appetite
• Loss of muscle mass
• Poor absorption of digestion of food 

The best thing you can do for your senior dog is to watch for concerning signs of weight loss or health issues and provide your veterinarian with details.

The more details your vet has, the easier it will be for them to detect any health conditions or illnesses early provide an accurate diagnosis, so you can help your older dog maintain the best quality of life possible in their golden years. 

Even if your senior dog has been losing weight slowly or gradually, but especially if this has been occurring at a faster pace or if you've noticed other signs of declining health in your pooch, it's imperative to visit your vet as soon as possible so they can rule our potential disease or illnesses. Your veterinarian can also create a customized diet and nutritional plan for your dog's needs. 

Why Your Older Dog May Lose Weight Even if He is Eating

Older dogs, especially very old dogs, need a calorie-dense diet so they won't need to consume as much to reach their caloric requirements. 

You may be confused if your older dog is losing weight but is still eating well. In addition to the causes listed above, reasons for this may vary and include:

• Changes in diet - Either the kind or type of food he or she is eating or the ingredients (for example, sometimes manufacturers change the ingredients in their food and the number of calories per serving) 
• Liver disease
• Maldigestion disorders such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which disrupt the body's ability to break food down into nutrients 
• Malabsorption disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease 
• Diseases such as diabetes, which can cause loss of weight and muscle mass

What to Feed an Old Dog That is Losing Weight

Keep in mind that older dogs, particularly very old dogs, require a diet dense with calories so they won't need to consume as much to reach their caloric requirements. Tell your vet about your dog's current diet and the amount of protein, fat, and fiber they are getting.

Animals with normally functioning kidneys will need high-quality, easily digestible protein sources. While a dog's diet should contain moderate fat content in their earlier senior years, as the dog ages into their geriatric years, adding high-quality fats to the mix can improve protein efficiency and increase the calorie content.

Plus, picky eaters may be more inclined to eat. Fiber can be used to alleviate constipation issues for aging dogs and help them feel satisfied and "full" while they consume fewer calories. That said, truly geriatric dogs will often need lower amounts of fiber, more easily digestible food and higher density in calories. 

Look for premium dog food and ask your vet how much exercise is appropriate for your dog's specific needs. Your vet will be able to recommend a suitable food for your senior dog and calculate your dog's approximate calorie expenditure. From there, measure out the precise amount of food your dog needs each day and get your dog back up to a healthy weight.

If your old dog is losing weight and muscle mass, your vet may run blood glucose tests and a urinalysis to check whether your dog has diabetes.

Other symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst and urination, increased appetite, cloudy eyes, and chronic or recurring urinary infections. After a diagnosis is confirmed, treatment will include a specialized diet and insulin shots. 

Other Tips to Help Your Senior Dog Gain Weight

Along with having any underlying health issues diagnosed and potentially implementing a new diet plan for your dog, there are some other actions you can take that may help your dog gain weight. These include:

1. Change Your Dog's Feeding Schedule 

While dogs and people process and metabolize food slightly differently, there are some similarities in how we do so. People who eat within a few hours before heading to bed are more likely to gain weight, for example. This is because eating right before bed encourages your body to store nutrients as fat. Working with this knowledge, you can help your dog gain weight.

When you and your vet discuss your dog's diet, you might consider asking whether you should give your dog a smaller portion of food in the morning and a more significant amount in the evening before bedtime. This will help his body store fat when sleeping versus burning it off. 

Another tactic is to feed your dog smaller meals more frequently to help him digest nutrients throughout the day. Try to wait at least 30 minutes after a meal before exercising your dog, so he won't burn off the calories right away. 

2. Give Your Dog More Exercise 

While most people associate exercise with weight loss, remember that the goal is to help your dog add muscle mass to his body. Regularly exercising your dog is the best way to help him maintain a healthy weight. Coupled with a diet high in protein and fat, this should help him gain muscle and weight. 

How can regular veterinary care help as senior dogs age?

Your understanding of your dog's current health status and new or ongoing medical conditions, along with any changes in health or behavior you may have noticed, will help inform your vet about potential causes for your pet's weight loss or other symptoms. 

Regularly visiting your veterinarian for routine exams will help establish benchmarks for their normal health and behavior, which can be helpful when they aren't feeling well or the status of their health changes as they age. 

Your vet can advise you about how often they recommend coming in for a checkup and may recommend increasing the frequency of visits as your dog ages.  

If your senior dog is losing weight rapidly, schedule an examination for your pooch as soon as possible.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Has your senior dog's weight changed significantly? Contact Westmoreland & Slappey Animal Hospital today to book a wellness exam for your dog.