![]() Cancer– There are a variety of different cancers that can afflict dogs, and their symptoms vary widely from one type to the next.Talk to your vet about performing a simple kidney function test and switching to a dog food for kidney disease, which will be formulated with unique properties to keep your dog healthy. Kidney Disease – Kidney disease is a pretty common problem for older dogs, and among other symptoms, it can cause your pup to drop a few pounds.Anxiety, Depression, and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction – Just like people, dogs suffering from emotional disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or canine cognitive dysfunction may stop eating as much as they normally would.Your vet can help treat most oral health problems (although you should do your part to treat such problems proactively), which may help make it easier for your dog to eat again. These types of problems can discourage your dog from eating and lead to weight loss. Dental Problems – Failing teeth, gum disease, and other dental problems are common in older dogs.Some of the most common causes of weight loss in elderly pups include: ![]() But if your dog loses this much weight in a month or so, you’ll need to take the weight loss more seriously. If your 60-pound-husky loses 6 pounds over a 6-month period, it probably doesn’t represent a serious problem. Weight loss is most troubling when it occurs over a short period of time. Only a veterinarian can determine the cause behind your dog’s weight loss, and provide you with an accurate prognosis. Accordingly, it is important to visit your vet anytime your dog loses a significant amount of weight – usually defined as 10% of their normal body mass. There are a variety of different issues that can cause your senior canine to lose weight. ![]() Symptoms and Illnesses that Can Cause Weight Loss in Older Dogs Ultimately, the most important thing is to treat any underlying illnesses causing the weight loss, but you may also want to employ some husbandry or management solutions, such as simply moistening your dog’s food to make it easier to chew. There are several ways to help your dog bulk up, but you’ll need to work with your vet to do so.However things like cancer can also cause weight loss in some cases. Some of the most common ailments associated with weight loss include dental problems, canine cognitive dysfunction, and kidney disease. There are a variety of health problems that can make an aging dog lose weight.But in other cases, such as when the weight loss occurs rapidly, you’ll want to seek prompt veterinary care. In some cases, this is normal and no cause for serious concern - particularly if the weight loss occurs over a long period of time. Unfortunately, many dogs begin to lose weight as they age.The trick is to determine when your older dog’s weight loss is normal and when it indicates a health problem.īelow, we’ll discuss some of the reasons older dogs suffer from weight loss and explain some of the most common signs and symptoms that should have you making an appointment with your vet. Most geriatric animals lose a little muscle mass as they age (your grandma probably can’t bench press as much as she used to), so a bit of weight loss is not necessarily unusual or cause for concern. There are some occasions in which weight loss can indicate a problem – particularly when it occurs in older dogs. However, some owners have the opposite problem, struggling to have their dog keep weight on. In fact, most owners find themselves seeking out low-calorie dog foods to promote weight loss when their older dogs start packing on extra pounds. Weight loss is generally viewed positively by owners and vets. Just like their owners, many dogs struggle to keep their weight down and stay in tip-top shape.
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