Eating habit changes in elderly dogs

Question
Hi Shawn,
I have a 15 1/2 American Eskimo. He is still in very good spirits. Just about 6 weeks ago he decided he didn't want to eat his food. I let it pass and he would eat just very little. I started mixing in wet food and he liked that for a week. He now doesn't want to eat either. He had a little diarrhea and vomiting, but nothing severe. Didn't last longer than 1 evening. He is very hungry and continues to beg and pace around the kitchen. He lost a few pounds too. I finally gave him chicken and rice and he loved it! His teeth are in okay shape. 2 premolars could probably afford to get pulled, but not sure if its good at his age? Also, should I just keep him on chicken and rice since that is what he likes?

Answer
At his age, i would let him pick and choose his foods as long as they are good for him. The important thing is he is eating! Many owners of older dogs cook regularly for their dogs. It is very unusual for a dog raised on kibble to still be able to eat it as they get older, their stomach just can't handle it. Boiled chicken and cooked rice is a perfectly acceptable diet for him to eat every single day for the rest of his life if needed. You can also use a little bit of yogurt, acedophilis, eggs, etc to offer some more protein and correct bacteria. I would not recommend putting him under for dental work at his age unless absolutely necessary (life threatening)

GOod luck!!