Senior Feeding - Food, Treats, Stool composition

Question
QUESTION: We have a 13 year old Cocker and are feeding her Innova dry1/2 cup(not Senior Formula) and 1tbs canned venison 2x daily. We find ourselves giving her an immodium every 3 days to alleviate extremely soft stools. What type of treats should we be giving her.

ANSWER: Congratulations on choosing an excellent food :)

Here's what I'd try first.  Buy some plain, unflavored, SUGAR FREE
Metamucil.  Mix 1/2 tsp. in with some canned food (use more than you are currently) and see if that helps.  You can go up to 1 1/2 tsp but do that slowly.

For treats, I'd give a fresh green bean - a baby carrot - a piece of apple.

I'd also ask if this started with a change of food?  Venison is pretty rich (although she's only getting a snick) so I might also try a different protein.  I also might try the Innova EVO instead of the regular Innova.  Cockers do well on no grains - although even the regular is very low carb.

Sometimes all they need is that bit more fibre and psyllium is the best.  But start small and build up slowly - who knows that the 1/2 tsp. might just be enough.

How is her weight?  My two would be shrieking at me on that amount of food :)  She needs "about" 750 cal. per day and this is way under that.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: She's 22lbs - Should she be eating more than 2x per day?

Answer
Senior dogs, like senior humans, benefit from multiple smaller meals so yes, I'd feed her 3x daily and would increase the amount of food
unless she's a really tiny girl.

I'm glad you're not using a "senior food" because that means less protein and the newer thinking is that seniors actually need more protein.

If her weight is good at 22 lbs, she still needs close to 700 cal per day so you are underfeeding a bit.

Keep her exercised even if it's all a bit slower - just go at her pace but definitely get her out there.  With the older ones, it's so easy to think they really don't want to walk but it'll keep her heart and muscle tone good.

Do try the Metamucil for the loose stool (remember - Sugar Free)
and if that doesn't help, I'd put her on scrambled egg & overcooked white rice for a day or two.

4 eggs - scramble, use no oil or milk
1 cup white rice (use extra water and overcook)
Put 1/2 tsp. Metamucil in 1/4 cup water - mix - then mix into egg & rice.  Serve in 3 meals - never cold.

Always mix Metamucil with a bit of water then add to food.

I'm still thinking the venison might be the culprit.  Game is quite rich so trying another canned Innova protein may help.
Delores