Large Sheltie

The list of 10 best vegetables for dogs was helpful. I have a 14 year old (Rex) who has become a very finicky eater, so much so he has lost weight and is now too thin. His blood panels come back normal. He has had 3 ultrasounds over the past couple of years. He has a very small nodule in his liver but it hasn't changed so the vet doesn't think its anything to worry about. The vet said he has some sludge in his gallbladder so she put him on a daily dose of Ursodiol. He had a short bout of diarrhea a few weeks ago but it didn't last long and he hasn't had any vomiting or other stomach symptoms.

I change his food all the time - a mix of dry and canned with something sprinkled on the top. He will eat something for a few days then get tired of it and not eat. I try to find interesting things to add to his dish. He likes chopped up Brussel Sprouts, canned pinto beans, and shredded cheese (at least for now). I have to keep changing his food or he won't eat it. He has always been a finicky slow eater but its getting worse. Truthfully, I don't spend as much time preparing my own food as I do for him - it is a real challenge.

I have read posts on this forum about shelties with gall bladder problems so that has me worried. The fact that he doesn't have any chronic upset stomach symptoms makes me think his not eating is not a gall bladder problem. Maybe he is just getting more and more finicky with old age (I know I am). He is a sweet old boy and I want to keep him going as long as possible.
 
Just want to make some amendments to the food list.

Carrots - dogs don't digest them properly and for bio-availability they generally should to be pureed (and cooked). However, they can be raw or cooked if you are using as a filler to keep hunger at bay.
Pumpkin - is a great filler and meal replacement which dogs love. However, you may want to avoid butternut pumpkin, esp if using for bowel issues, as it contains poorly absorbed carbohydrates (mannitol and GOS) that may cause tummy issues.
Sweet potato - limit the amount you use as, similar to butternut pumpkin, it contains sugars (mannitol) that may cause tummy upsets in higher amounts. Normal potato is fine. Recently there was an FDA release about problems with grain free foods that contain potato and peas. Usually it's sweet potato they use and I wonder if the problem is caused by the level of mannitol. I definitely would not replace a quarter of the diet until the issue is cleared up.
 
Roberta said:
I have a 14 year old (Rex) who has become a very finicky eater, so much so he has lost weight and is now too thin. His blood panels come back normal. He has had 3 ultrasounds over the past couple of years. He has a very small nodule in his liver but it hasn't changed so the vet doesn't think its anything to worry about. The vet said he has some sludge in his gallbladder so she put him on a daily dose of Ursodiol. He had a short bout of diarrhea a few weeks ago but it didn't last long and he hasn't had any vomiting or other stomach symptoms.
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Even though mine only have occasional tummy issues, the specialist now said they have IBD and Tully is on a limited ingredient food which seems to be helping (it's salmon and tapioca). I had similar gallbladder results with Tully, and tried Ursodiol. Wish I'd just seen a specialist years ago and didn't waste all that money and time with vet trips and meds. Btw - not wanting to scare you, but ultrasound doesn't pick up some things.

If it helps, Deska is on i/d prescription food which is high calorie and high protein for the dog that won't eat.
 
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Gavin is always hungry, too :)
Anytime I come home, he expects food. Even if its 3PM.
I did bone broth for a while, but he wasn't a fan. And he got tired of all the supplements I was adding, too.
He moves really fast for a 3.5 legged dog when dinner is involved (or breakfast for that matter).
 
Kelsey said:
My sheltie, Henry, is rather large and always has been. When he came to us at 5 months old, he was already 25 pounds and got up to 50 fully grown (he's 4 now). He's also very tall. I asked the vet about his weight and he said he was fine but shouldn't get any bigger. At that point we were giving him 1 cup of food per feeding, so I scaled it back to 3/4 per feeding. He got to 45 pounds which seemed healthier. Now he just seems hungry, as he's been greedy and scavenging around the kitchen. Does anyone else have a large sheltie, and how much do you feed them? If coat is any measure of thyroid health, he has a full, beautiful one. Thoughts? Am I underfeeding him? How do I feed him and keep him from getting too heavy? He doesn't look obese-- not even close. Just a big sheltie. I've never seen one so big!

PS- He gets fruits or veggies for treats, in his bowl, after he's finished his food. Anything else, and he becomes such a beggar!
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Sandstorm is just 20 inches tall and 37 pounds. We feed 3/4 cup of Blue Buffalo twice a day. Small size treats also, Sandstorm always thinks he is starving. He looks good, but I would not want him any heavier. You should see an hourglass shape while standing over your dog. You should feel the ribs also.
 
Cindy said:
If you measure him at his shoulders, we can get a better idea of if his weight is an issue.

Also, can you feel his ribs when you run your hands over his chest?
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His ribs are not immediately apparent when I run my hands over him; I have to feel for them.
 
Piper's mom said:
I agree...you want to be able to feel their ribs with very slight pressure (and their back bone).
Perhaps 3/4 cup (even Riley who is 38 pounds gets 1 cup plus treats/day) isn't enough. Besides, the vets aren't perfect and they don't know your dog like you do.
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Henry gets 3/4 cups twice daily.
 
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